Dr. William James Lawson was born on 26. Jan. 1869 at Cherrywood, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of
James Lawson and
Isabella Gilchrist. Dr. William James Lawson was graduated in 1893 at Ontario Vererinary College, Guelph, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada. He married
Mary Allie Conover, daughter of
Lawrence Vanderveer Conover and
Helen Mahala Thompson, on 8. Nov. 1893 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois. Dr. William James Lawson immigrated c 1893. He was naturalized in 1897.
Dr. William James Lawson and
Mary Allie Conover appeared on the census of 1. Jun. 1900 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois; 1 child, 1 living. Dr. William James Lawson was shown in the census on 1. Jun. 1900 as a veterinary surgeon. Dr. William James Lawson was shown in the census on 15. Apr. 1910 as a veterinary surgeon.
Dr. William James Lawson and
Mary Allie Conover appeared on the census of 15. Apr. 1910 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois; 2 children, 2 living. Dr. William James Lawson was shown in the census on 8. Jan. 1920 as veterinary, public.
Dr. William James Lawson and
Mary Allie Conover appeared on the census of 8. Jan. 1920 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois. Dr. William James Lawson was shown in the census on 19. Apr. 1930 as a veterinarian, general practice.
Dr. William James Lawson and
Mary Allie Conover appeared on the census of 19. Apr. 1930 at Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois; real estate value 6,000.00. Dr. William James Lawson died on 24. Jan. 1947 at age 77.
DR. W. J. LAWSON DEAD OF HEART ATTACK: WAS 77
(Was Veterinarian for more than 50 years; Was born in Canada.)
Dr. W. J. Lawson, 77 years old, and a practicing Veterinary for more than 50 years in Menard County, died suddenly of a heart attack in the basement of the Frackelton Building, which he owned, about 2:30 Friday afternoon January 24. He had gone to the basement to attend the furnace, and when found, was at the door, apparently having been stricken as he started to leave the room. An inquest was conducted by Dr. Irving Newcomer, Menard County Coroner, and a verdict of death from a heart ailment was returned. Dr. Lawson had not been well, but had continued taking care of his practice and had made country calls during the morning of the day of his death.
He came to Petersburg more than 50 years ago from Canada, where he graduated form the University of Toronto at Guelph, Ontario and was one of the best known Veterinarians in this part of the state. Active in civic and political affairs, he served on the City Council and the Menard County Board. He was member, for many years, of the Central Presbyterian Church and Served the church as an elder. He was a charter member of the Petersburg Rotary Club and a past President of that organization. He was a member of Clinton Lodge A. F. & A. M., DeWitt Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and of St. Aldemar Commandery Knights Templar, and a Past Commander of the Latter-named organization. He served also on the County Board of the Red Cross and had served as a member of the Public Library Board.
He was born in Cherrywood, Ontario on Jan. 26, 1871,(NOTE: newspaper error) the son of James and Isabel Lawson, his parents being natives of Scotland. He was married here on November 28, 1892 to Miss Allied Conover of this city and to them were born two children, Dr. Lawrence Lawson of Kenilworth, and Helen, wife of Dr. T. F. Carter of this city. Surviving are his wife, two children, two grandsons, Lawrence Lawson, Jr. of Kenilworth and William Carter of this city, and tow grand daughters, Joan and Margaret Lawson of Kenilworth: and one brother, Alex Lawson of Cherrywood, Ontario.
Funeral services were held at the Central Presbyterian church at 10:30 Monday morning, Jan. 27, conducted by Rev. D. D. Boyd and burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gerald Brown, J. Colby Beakman, Paul R. Smoot, Edw. H. Goldon, Garret Tolan and Clarence Tozer. Music was by Mrs Harold Ackerman and Mrs. D. C. Boyd.
He was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois.
Story related by Helen Lawson Carter - Shortly after Dr. Lawsons arrival in Petersburg, he was at a local livery barn purchasing a horse. He overheard a conversation between a Greenview area farmer and the liveryman. The farmer was telling him that he was going to have to destroy his cattle herd due to a disease that they had contracted. Dr. Lawson asked the farmer to describe what was wrong with his herd. When Dr. Lawson heard the description he told the farmer that he knew what the problem was and that it would not be necessary to destroy the herd. The farmer had Dr. Lawson follow him to his farm, and Dr. Lawson was able to do as he stated and saved the heard. From that point on his reputation in the county was made and his prctice flurished.