Mingo County, West Virginia Biography of LAFAYETTE E. LAWSON, D. D. S. This biography was submitted by Valerie Crook, E-mail address: ********************************************** ***The submitter does not have a connection*** ********to the subject of this sketch.******** ********************************************** This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg. 594 Mingo LAFAYETTE E. LAWSON, D. D. S. In the career of Dr. Lafayette E. Lawson, a leading dental specialist of Wil- liamson, there are to be found those elements which make interesting biography. Success in professional life, varied experiences of a military character, interest in civic affairs and modest personal deportment serve to make him a figure to be singled out in his community, where, however, he is inclined to prefer to be known merely as an earnest follower of an honorable profession and a citizen who respects the laws of his state and country. Doctor Lawson was born February 22, 1890, in Mingo County, West Virginia, a son of Harry and Ella (Murray) Lawson, natives of Virginia. His father has been engaged in the real estate business for many years, and is one of the prominent and influential men of his locality. After attend- ing the public schools Lafayette E. Lawson pursued a course at the Williamson High School, from which he was gradu- ated as a member of the class of 1906. He then entered the University of Kentucky, at Louisville, and in 1910 was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He began practice at Hempstead, Texas, where he remained for two years, and in 1912 took up his residence and opened an office at Williamson, West Virginia, where he now spe- cializes in dental reconstruction work. On January 4, 1916, Doctor Lawson enlisted in the army recruiting service, and while stationed at Columbus, Ohio, was commissioned second lieutenant. In March, 1917, when his detachment was transferred to Fort McPherson, he was put into field work as a field officer, and later was stationed for two months at Camp Stuart, Newport News. Ordered overseas, Doctor Lawson was attached to the British forces at Saint Dizier, France, whence troops were dispatched to the front, and remained with the British until the American troops got into the field, when he joined the Second Pioneer Infantry, Second Army Corps, under General Huiler, remaining with that outfit during all its numerous engagements in the Meuse, Argonne, St. Mihiel and Verdun sectors. When the armistice was signed Doctor Lawson was attached to the S. O. S. salvage department, and after being at Dijon and Buda Pesth, Germany, for the Red Cross, returned to Belgium, sailed from Antwerp, and arrived at Hoboken in 1920. He went then to Camp Grant, where he received his honorable discharge, with the rank of captain, having received his commission as such in 1919. Upon his return to Williamson Doctor Lawson joined the state troops as captain and went into Logan County, where he remained in the state service for a month, during all the trouble with the striking miners. Receiving his honorable discharge in September, 1921, he returned to Williamson and resumed his practice, in which he has been very success- ful. He has reached a high place in his profession and belongs to the various organizations thereof, likewise hold- ing membership in the Elks and the Kiwanis Club.