John R. Lawson, lumber and building materials, Oakland; born in Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio, June 3, 1847, where he attended school constantly until 21 years of age, the last five years at the Portsmouth Normal School; at the above age, he engaged in book-keeping for the Portsmouth Foundry Co., which position he filled for two years; then, in 1871, he came West and engaged in book-keeping for Lawson & Burt, at Tuscola, Douglas Co., for two years, at the expiration of which time, he came to Oakland, Coles Co., and engaged in the lumber trade, dealing in lumber of all kinds, paints, coal, lime, cement, plaster, sash, doors and blinds, etc., etc. His marriage with Alice M. Cash was celebrated April 16, 1874; she was born in Oakland Dec. 31, 1854; she was the daughter of S. M. Cash, one of the pioneer merchants of Oakland, Coles Co., Ill. Mr. Lawson holds the office of Town Trustee.
