BIO: Thomas C. Lawson, Jefferson County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Jean Wall

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens. 
Chicago, Ill.: J. H. Beers, 1898, page 1092.
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THOMAS C. LAWSON, M.D., a prominent physician of Brookville, Jefferson 
county, is one of the leading citizens of that place, ranking high in 
social and political life, as well as in that of his chosen calling.  
He is a member of a well-known family of this State. His father, the 
late Hon. James B. Lawson, a prosperous agriculturist and iron 
manufacturer of Clarion County, Penn., was prominently identified with 
public affairs, representing his district in the State legislature in 
1871-72, and serving as associate judge of Clarion county. Among the 
other offices of trust to which he was chosen was that of county 
commissioner.  His death occurred in 1896, that of his wife Lavina 
(Orr), in 1887.
  Dr. Lawson was born at the old home near Lawsonham, Clarion County, 
July 26, 1843, and had the advantage of farm life during boyhood.  At 
the breaking out of hostilities between the North and South he was but 
eighteen years old, yet young as he was, he enlisted, and went to the 
front as a member of the 155th P.V.I.  He remained in active service 
three years, taking part in all the many engagements in which his 
company participated, and as color bearer for this regiment, was often 
where the bullets flew thickest.  Fortunately he was neither wounded 
nor captured, and on receiving an honorable discharge he returned to 
his studies, attending school at Bells Mills, near Altoona. Later he 
pursued a course of study in medicine, graduating in 1871 from 
Jefferson College, Philadelphia.  For some time he was engaged in his 
profession at Greenville, Clarion county; but after taking one year in 
post-graduate study at Philadelphia and new York City he opened an 
office, in 1880, at Brookville, where he soon established a large and 
lucrative practice.
  In 1874 Dr. Lawson was united in marriage with Miss Alice Patton, 
daughter of Thomas Patton, a native of Philadelphia, who went to 
Clarion county when a young man and became a prominent merchant.  He 
was quiet and unassuming, highly respected by all who knew him.  He 
died in 1860; his wife Elizabeth (Parsons), a native of Centre county, 
Penn., passing away in 1883.  The Doctor's home has been brightened by 
eight children, but the first two did not long remain on earth; the 
others are Margaret, Charles T., Bessie L., Mary E., James B., and 
Alice P., and interesting family, all of whom are residing with their 
parents.
  The Doctor's non-professional interests are varied and show the 
esteem in which his abilities are held by his associates.  In the 
Presbyterian Church, of which he and his wife are members, he holds the 
office of ruling elder, and that he is well-known in business circles 
is shown by his election to the presidency of the Brookville Furniture 
Co.  Socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the G.A.R., and the 
veteran Legion, and to the County and State Medical Societies.  In 
politics he is a Democrat at all times and under all circumstances, and 
he has served as chairman of the county committee and been otherwise 
active in his party's welfare.