J. P. LAWTHER. The beginnings of this family in America post-date the close of the Revolution by nine years. James Lawther, Sr., born in Ireland, March 15, 1769, married Jane Shaw in 1790, shortly after sailed for the young Republic and settled in Virginia, where they resided for twenty-one years before removing to Pennsylvania (in 1812). Here the pioneer died on his farm December 23, 1821. Of their eleven children, Alexander Lawther was the ninth in order of birth. He was born June 22, 1808, and on May 8, 1844, married Nancy Smith (born March 7, 1814), a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Smith,. of Richland county, Ohio. He died March 19, 1878, leaving a widow, now living. Of the five children born to this marriage, Ellen C., born September 2, 1845, married Robert Cunningham, of Jefferson township, April 25,1889; Mary J., born December 10, 1847, died August 7, 1870; J. P. Lawther is the subject of this sketch; Thomas B. was born August 2, 1852; and James A., born November 8, 1854, died October 2, 1863. J. P. Lawther was born March 10, 1850, reared to farm pursuits on the paternal acres, and on August 24, 1876, married Eliza, daughter of James Black, of Hanover township. One daughter was born to this marriage: Nancy, who is yet living. The mother died March 30, 1888, and was buried in Paris cemetery. For his second wife, J. P. Lawther married, February 25, 1890, Amy Price, of Orange township, Carroll Co., Ohio, who was a daughter of Benjamin Price. After his marriage they located on the present farm, having since been engaged in general farming, stock raising and the dairy business. Mr. Lawther is an admirer of fine cattle, and has a specially fine lot of Devons on his farm. He is a progressive citizen, which the many improvements on his farm, such as the new house and barn prove. In politics he is a Democrat.

Text taken from page 686 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed September 1997 by Paula Talbert of Caldwell, OH as part of the Beers Project. Published September 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]