From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 1020-1022
 
HERBERT NEVIL LAWTON.  One of the progressive and well known agriculturists 
and stock raisers of Lagrange township, Walworth county, is Herbert Nevil 
LAWTON, who was born on the farm where he now resides and which he owns on 
January 8, 1879.  He is the son of James Howard LAWTON, who was born near 
Manchester, England, April 23, 1836, the son of Henry A. and Betty (HOLGATE) 
LAWTON, both natives of England, he born in 1794 and she in 1795.  In 1841 he 
came to New York and in 1842 the family followed.  In the spring of 1846 they 
moved on to Walworth county, Wisconsin, from Oneida county, New York.  Samuel 
LAWTON, an older brother of the subject came here in 1845.  The grandparents 
of the subject settled in Lagrange township on a farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres, to which they added until their place consisted of three hundred 
acres, and the father died on the farm he first bought, his death occurring in 
1869, his wife having died in 1861.  They were the parents of eleven children, 
of whom James Howard, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, is the 
only one living.  The subject's father was reared on the farm and educated in 
the public schools, and he took two terms in the Milwaukee schools and one 
term in the university at Milwaukee, also studied at Milton College, thus 
becoming exceptionally well educated.  He began teaching school when sixteen 
years of age and followed this for several years, then turned his attention to 
farming, and he bought one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land where his 
son Herbert H. now resides.  He made a success as a general farmer and he has 
lived retired since 1894.  Politically, he is a Republican.  He was register 
of deeds for one term and he has also been township superintendent of schools 
in Lagrange township.  He has also been township treasurer and chairman of the 
township board for five terms.  He and his wife are Universalists.
 
James H. LAWTON was married in 1861 to Ella Jane BRONSON, who was born in 
Spring field, Pennsylvania, January 14, 1843, the daughter of Styles and Laura 
(BESTOR) BRONSON, both natives of Connecticut, from which state they came to 
Herkimer county, New York, later moving to Pennsylvania, and they came to 
Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1843, being among the early settlers, as were 
the LAWTONS.  They began farming in Lagrange township, and here Mr. BRONSON 
died in 1869, his widow dying a year later in 1870.  They were the parents of 
twelve children, only one of whom is now living.  To Mr. and Mrs. James H. 
LAWTON five children were born, named as follows: Grant H., Harvey Percy, 
James B., Howard Curtis, and Herbert Nevil.
 
Herbert N. LAWTON grew up on the home farm and was educated in the schools of 
his district, later attending the Whitewater Normal, from which he was 
graduated in 1902.  He taught school one year, but, not taking very kindly to 
the school room, took up farming for a livelihood on the homestead which he 
now owns as before stated, and which he has kept well improved and under a 
high state of cultivation, and he has kept the buildings in good repair.  The 
place consists of one hundred and twenty-eight acres.  In connection wtih 
general farming he raises and feeds live stock, and is a breeder of Poland 
China hogs, also handles high grade Jersey cattle.  He has exhibited his fine 
stock at the county fairs for the past three years.  Politically, Mr. LAWTON 
is a Republican and he was township clerk for one year.
 
Mr. LAWTON was married on March 11, 1906 to Elma May BISHOP, who was born in 
Walworth county on January 9, 1884.  She is the daughter of Frank BISHOP and 
wife, a highly respected family of this county.  Two children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. LAWTON, namely: Harvey, born January 25, 1907, and Marjorie, 
born April 18, 1908.
 
Submitted by Carol