Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN LAWTON
Very few of the old
settlers still living in Sacramento county can claim an identification
therewith covering a longer period than marks the useful citizenship of John
Lawton, one of the honored pioneers of Folsom and still a resident of the
locality which he saw in 1851 for the first time. Many have been the changes
witnessed during his long association with the west. He has seen the then young
state develop into one of the greatest commonwealths of which the Union may
boast. He has seen towns spring up with incredible rapidity and ranches bring
of their increase for the support of the people and the prosperity of the
country. The wilderness he has seen to bloom as a rose and the desert made
fertile by the modern developments of irrigation. Nor has he only seen this,
but, more important still, he has borne his quota in all the task of
advancement and with other public-spirited pioneers he may say "All of
which I saw and part of which I was."
The early memories of John Lawton cluster
around scenes far different from those of his later years. Born in Dover, Me.,
December 9, 1827, he was familiar from infancy with the woods and lakes of
Piscataquis county and often wandered along the stream
of that name, finding in forest and river many a lesson of great import never
learned in the public schools. He was thus a learner both in school from
printed text-books and out-of-doors from that great teacher, Nature, whose
lessons may be early learned and always appreciated.
As a teacher for one term he found an early use for his wide fund of
information, while as a farmer he became familiar with the agricultural
conditions of Maine, the right care of the soil, the most profitable crops and
the general mode of correct cultivation of lands. However, he was not satisfied
to remain in that state, and during young manhood joined the throng of
emigrants to the west, coming via New York City and Panama and then on the
steamer Gold Hunter, landing in San Francisco in June, 1851. Thence he came to
the vicinity of Folsom, where he engaged in mining for six years with fair
success.
The village of Ashland on the north side
of the American river, opposite the present town of Folsom, was the scene of an
important business enterprise on the part of Mr. Lawton, who in 1859 opened a
grocery at that point. For a long period he carried on general
merchandising, and it was not until 1900 that he eventually retired from such
activities. The old store building is still standing intact. Since he gave up
his business he has devoted his time to the care of his properties, he and his
wife now owning more than seven hundred acres in Sacramento and Placer
counties, some of which is well improved, while a part is yet in the raw state
of nature. When he married in San Francisco, May 16, 1868, it is worthy of note
that he and his bride, who was Mary A. Kittredge,
began housekeeping at the same location where they now reside. Mrs. Lawton was
a native of Waterville, Me., and had engaged in teaching for a time prior to
her marriage, while since coming to Sacramento county she has been an active
force for good, a contributor to local movements and especially warm in her
allegiance to educational progress.
In politics Mr. Lawton always has been a
loyal Republican, progressive in his tendencies, optimistic in his faith in the
future of our country and well informed regarding public affairs, yet never
willing to hold office or to accept political responsibilities. For years he
has been prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Folsom
Lodge No. 62, in which he has served through the chairs and is past grand,
besides having represented the lodge in the office of district deputy and in
the encampment, where he is past chief patriarch. His long and useful life has been
given to the upbuilding of his town and county and he
and his wife have a wide circle of friends, not only among the old settlers,
but among those of the younger generation who appreciate the extent of our
indebtedness to the pioneers for the present general well-being and the growing
prosperity.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 847-849. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.