Lawler, J. Thomas MAGA © 2000-2014
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF CASS, SCHUYLER and BROWN COUNTIES, Illinois - 1892

Chicago: Biographical Review Publishing Co.

Page 480

J. THOMAS LAWLER, a widely and favorably known citizen of Woodstock township, Schuyler county, Illinois, is a native of Virginia, having been born in Fauquier county, that State, May 7, 1824. His parents were Alexander and Margaret (White) Lawler, both natives of Virginia. His father served with distinction in the war of 1812. His father was a cooper, and followed his trade in his native State until the spring of 1839, when he with his family drove from Virginia to Ohio, and thence to Schuyler county, brining all their worldly goods in their wagon. Arrived in Illinois, they purchased 160 acres of wild timber land in Woodstock township, on which they built a log house, and began the life of pioneers. Both father and mother lived here until their death, although it had been much improved during their possession, both with buildings of a substantial kind, as well as the land well cultivated. The father died here at the age of sixty-four years, while the mother survived him for a long time, dying at the advanced age of seventy-three years. The Lawlers were originally from Ireland, where they were well-to-do people.

Our subject was one of a family of fourteen children, seven of whom are now living. He was reared in Woodstock township, and received his education at the country schools of his day. He lived at home until he was twenty-two years of age, working on the farm and at his trade of coopering. He then enlisted in the army, and served in the Mexican war for thirteen months, and now gets a Mexican pension. After returning from the war, he married, on May 7, 1848, Miss Sarah E. Pinkerton, who was born in Putnam county, Indiana, June 14, 1831. She was a daughter of William and Anna (Jackson) Pinkerton. Her father was a native of Kentucky, while her mother was a native of one of the Carolinas, having come with their parents to Indiana in a very early day. Her father died in Indiana, aged about thirty years, after which her mother moved to Illinois, locating in 1855, in Rushville, later moving to Augusta. She is still surviving, and lives with her daughter, the wife of our subject. She had three children, only two of whom are living.

Joseph and Sarah Jackson were Mrs. Lawler's grandparents. They were pioneers of Indiana and later moved to Illinois. Mrs. Jackson died in Indiana aged fifty years and her husband died in Illinois at the advanced age of ninety-six years. They were related to General Jackson, so famous in the war of 1812.

David and Margaret Pinkerton, the grandparents on her father's side both died in Indiana, at a very advanced age. They were both natives of Kentucky, and of English ancestry.

After marriage, our subject settled where he now lives, residing there continuously ever since. He built at first a little log cabin, in which he and his family lived, until 1865, when he erected his present substantial and comfortable home. His farm was unimproved when he bought it, but it is now one of the best farms in the county, being highly cultivated, and well improved with substantial barns for grain and stock, besides other modern conveniences for the care of grain and other agricultural products.

Mr. and Mrs. Lawler have eleven children, nine of whom are living. Margaret E., married and has seven children; Henry W., married, having three children; Silas E., married, has four children; Albert C., married has five children; Simon A. and Jane A., twins; Simon, a school teacher; and Jane, married, and has two children; Nancy E., married, with two children; Hattie E., married, and has one child; and Thomas A., at home, and works the farm with his father.

Our subject and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contribute liberally towards its support.

Mr. Lawler and family are highly respected by people of the community on account of their many admirable traits of character.


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