John W. Lawson

Lawson's grave at Ivy Hill Cemetery

Born in James City County, Virginia, Lawson attended the schools of Williamsburg, College of William and Mary, and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. He studied medicine. He was graduated from the University of the City of New York, March 4, 1861. He returned to Virginia, and during the Civil War enlisted in the Thirty-second Regiment of Virginia Infantry, Confederate States Army. He served as assistant surgeon in charge of Artillery battalion. He was promoted to surgeon March 10, 1864, and served until the surrender at Appomattox April 9, 1865. He settled in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, December 1865. Practiced medicine for ten years, when he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He served as member of the State house of delegates in 1869–1873. He served in the State senate in 1874–1877. He was again a member of the State house of delegates in 1883 and 1884.

Lawson was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-second Congress (March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1892. He resumed farming. He served as delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1901 and 1902. He died in Smithfield, Virginia, on February 21, 1905. He was interred in Ivy Hill Cemetery.

1890; Lawson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives defeating Republican George Edwin Bowden and Independent Republican C.W. Murdaugh, winning 50.71% of the vote.

• United States Congress. "John W. Lawson (id: L000145)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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