----Source: NEILLSVILLE PRESS (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 06/06/1929

Lawson, Andrew (16 FEB 1849 - 27 May 1929)

Andrew Lawson, one of the pioneers of the town of Sherwood, Clark County, Wis. and a successful farmer of that town, passed away at his home on Monday, May 27, 1929, aged 80 years, 3 months and 13 days.

Mr. Lawson (the original name was Larson) was born in Denmark, Feb. 16, 1849, and for many years led a most interesting and adventurous life. He was the youngest of six children, four sons and two daughters. An older brother, Nels, came to America and settle at Waupaca, Wis. Later Andrew and a brother, Sam, came. Soon after, these two brothers contracted to go to Greenland to work in the mines. There they worked a year and a half and set sail for Philadelphia with a vessel loaded with soda from the mines. This was in 1871. From Philadelphia he went to Salem, Pa., and worked on a farm until Easter 1872. He then came west to Stevens Point, Wis. and worked during the summer on the railroad. From there he went to Neenah and worked for a time, and then came to Clark County. Here he went to work in a saw mill and later took a homestead of 40 acres on Section 24, town of Sherwood, this tract forming a part of his present farm; to this he later added 40 acres more. This was all timberland and all of it had to be cleared by hard work. For thirty or more winters and springs he worked in logging camps and on log drives, and in summer improved his farm.

On Nov. 3, 1878 he was married to Miss Ascenith Sparks. When they started married life Mr. Lawson had only an ox team and a "jumper"; they had no cow, but had two yearling heifers and had to wait until they were grown before they had milk and butter. Mr. Lawson would often carry flour and groceries from City Point on his back 11 miles, and he frequently walked to Neillsville for other articles needed on the farm or in the home.

Mr. and Mrs. Lawson were members of the Congregational Church and occasionally a minister would come and hold services in their log house.

His wife and little grandson preceded him in death a short time ago, and immediately after his health began to fail and he survived by a few weeks. He leaves and adopted son, Ralph, and a little grandson to mourn his death, besides many friends and neighbors. He was a ….(the rest of my copy was cut off)