Biographies L
James Bryant Lawton
James Bryant Lawton is identified in Muhlenberg County with successful long established business enterprise founded by his father, and in which his son is now a partner.
He is the son of the late Clyde A. Lawton, native of Hopkins County, Kentucky, and Nettie Brown Lawton, Muhlenberg County native. Clyde moved to Muhlenberg County with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas Lawton, from Hartford, Kentucky. He was connected with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for several years in the Blue Grass section, but returned to Muhlenberg County in 1904 to become associated with an existing insurance agency.
In 1910 he established his own agency, which has grown steadily during its continuous operation since that time. Although frail physically, Clyde A. Lawton was a positive influence in his community. He was active in the First Methodist Church as superintendent of the Sunday School for many years and teacher of the Men's Bible Class, and was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. He died at the age of eighty-one in 1939.
J.B. Lawton was born at Bevier, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, on November 19, 1894. He attended the public schools of Central City and spent one summer term at the University of Kentucky. Returning to Central City, he worked a year in a men's clothing store. He then went to Akron, Ohio, where he was employed in the chemical laboratories of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company four years.
Back in Central City he entered his father's insurance agency. In World War I he entered the Chemical Warfare Service of the Army, and was returned to the Goodyear laboratories, where he served until the end of the war.
Upon his return to civilian life he re-entered business with his father. He was soon made a partner, and the firm name became C.A. Lawton and Son. Young Lawton's interest consisted of the increase in business that he could create. As his father aged, the son assumed more and more of the responsibility of the agency. The firm today is one of the largest insurance agencies in western Kentucky, handling a complete line of insurance except life insurance. The firm's reliability and their interest in their clients has resulted in a large volume of business.
Mr. Lawton was married in 1918 to Miss Janie Coffman, former teacher, who was born in Sacramento, McLean County, Kentucky. Mrs. Lawton, daughter of Robert Benjamin Coffman and India Bland Coffman, is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution through the Marshall family line on her father's side.
They have one son, Robert A. Lawton, graduate of Washington and Lee University, who is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Robert became a partner in C.A. Lawton and Son in 1940. They also have a daughter, Joyce Bryant Lawton, born in Central City, Kentucky on March 10, 1930, who is now a student at the University of Kentucky, where she is a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority.
Mr. Lawton's business interests are not confined to his insurance firm. In association with Walter Barnes and Ed Hoodenpyl he organized the Central City Federal Savings and Loan Assocation, and was president of it for several years. He is a director of the First National Bank of Central city. In the Kentucky Association of Insurance Agents he holds the first vice-presidency.
He is a Mason, having advanced through the Royal Arch, Commandery and Shrine. He is a past High Priest of the chapter and past Eminent Commander of the Commandery. His Shrine membership is at Madisonville, Kentucky. He is a past Commander of the American Legion post at Central City.
A leader in civic affairs, Mr. Lawton is a charter member of the Rotary Club, has served as chairman of the Red Cross local chapter, and for eight years was on the Central City Board of Education, during which time the present high school was built. He is chairman of the Board of Stewards of the First Methodist Church.
Mrs. Lawton is also an influential community member. She takes an active interest in her husband's firm, is a member of the Central City Woman's Club, and Rotary Anns, and is active in the Methodist Church.
Source: Wallis, Frederick A., and Hambleton Tapp, eds. A Sesqui-Centennial History of Kentucky. Vol. 4. Hopkinsville, KY: Historical Record Association, 1945. Pages 2139-2140.
Updated July 9, 2018