J. B. Lawton, Iberia Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller



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That well-known newspaper man, J. B. Lawton, editor and publisher of the 
"New Iberia Enterprise," is a native of St. Charles parish, born in 1860.  He 
was reared in St. James parish, and at an early age became an apprentice 
in the printing office of "Le Louisianais," a weekly paper published by 
J. Gentil, prominent as a journalist and poet.  The paper was printed
in the French language.  Mr. Gentil was a contributor to most of the 
French dailies of New Orleans and New York.  He is still engaged in 
editorial work. J. B. Lawton remained in this printing office for a period or 
seven years, when he removed to St. John parish, and engaged
with the "Meschace'be'," where he remained for three years.  He was 
subsequently engaged for a brief period in the composing rooms of the 
New Orleans "Times" and "States."  After severing his connection with 
these papers he came to New Iberia, and took charge of the local department
of "Louisiana Sugar Bowl," in which he was engaged for four years.  At 
the expiration of this time, he established the "New Iberia Enterprise," 
which he conducted as a semi-weekly for about two years, since which 
time he has given the people an enlarged twelve-page weekly.  The paper
is in politics democratic, and is especially devoted to the interest of the 
Attakapas parishes.  This paper ha. accomplished much in the origin and 
promotion of enterprise for public good, and has received quite a liberal 
support from the people.  Mr. Lawton is the son of William H. and
Mathilde (Delhommer) Lawton, the former a native of Fall River, Mass., the 
latter of St. Charles parish, La.  Mr. William H. Lawton came South early in 
life, and was subsequently manager of a large sugar plantation in St. Charles 
parish.  He was in active service during the whole of the war, and at its 
close served a term in the state senate.  He was twice married,
our subject's mother being his second wife.  He died in 1884.  His wife 
still survives him.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 486.  Published 
by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.