Wife of John L. Lawton

THE LARNED CHRONOSCOPE
Larned, Kansas
Thursday, October 28, 1909

DEATH OF MRS. JOHN LAWTON

Elizabeth Walker was born in Washington county, Pa., December 25, 1840. After a lingering illness, she was taken to her Heavenly home very early in the morning, Saturday, Oct. 23rd. Funeral services were held from the family residence Monday morning, October 25th, in charge of Rev. R. C. Fleming. The beautiful floral display, the large number of friends present, and the simple songs and service revealed how dear to the heart of the people Mrs. Lawton was.

To those who have known Mrs. Lawton during the years past, a few words touching on her useful life will be in place. Elizabeth Walker came from the western slope of the Alleghanies and brought with her all the splendid qualities of the natives of that slope. One who reads the history of the world and watches the achievements of men will find these people characterized by true democratic breadth of view, business ingenuity, moral integrity, and deep piety. From that section of Pennsylvania men and women have gone forth to bless every portion of the world. They have been pioneers of the best type and have spread the blessings of Christian civilization wherever they have gone.

True to the characteristics of her people, Mrs. Lawton came to Kansas in 1877 with her husband to whom she had been married November 3, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Lawton brought with them that indomitable perseverance and untiring activity that meant so much to Kansas in her early years and that have caused the foundation of her present power and prosperity to be so securely laid. To such pioneers who walked by faith and not by sight and planned and worked and hoped and prayed for the success and prosperity of the community in spiritual as well as in physical things, we owe a debt that can never by paid.

It was in the home as wife and mother that Mrs. Lawton revealed the true nobility of her nature. In all the experiences of the home, the sorrows and the joys, the trials and victories, there was at all times her great faith in God, her unchanging gentleness, kindness and patience. The power of such a life is incalculable. Children and children's chiildren will rise up to call her Blessed. Swiftly fleeting years will bring to each one the benediction of her life echoing and re-echoing from the halls of memory.

Mrs. Lawton had been a member of the Presbyterian church from her youth. Her church life was an inspiration to all. Her Christian service was characterized by consistency in profession; earnestness in all endeavor; faith in every difficulty; and prayerfulness as her greatest joy. She was one who was glad to go into the house of the Lord and who delighted in having those of her own household with her before the Lord.

Among her friends and neighbors she was always the same. Those who knew her found a friend unchanging and a true Christian neighbor.

Mrs. Lawton is survived by three brothers and four sisters who, with five of her own children, Mrs. Ella Baird, Harvey M. Lawton, J. Norris Lawton, Sara J. Lawton, and Bess L. Gambill, and seven grandchildren, are left to mourn their loss.

We shall see her face no more and this is our sorrow. But her joy in Christian service may be ours. And her hope of entering into God's rest can never be taken from us.