Lawton, J. B.

Submitted by Mike Miller

That well-known newspaper man, J. B. Lawton, editor and publisher of the "New Iberia Enterprise," is a native of St. Charles parish, born in 1860. He was reared in St. James parish, and at an early age became an apprentice in the printing office of "Le Louisianais," a weekly paper published by J. Gentil, prominent as a journalist and poet. The paper was printed in the French language. Mr. Gentil was a contributor to most of the French dailies of New Orleans and New York. He is still engaged in editorial work. J. B. Lawton remained in this printing office for a period or seven years, when he removed to St. John parish, and engaged with the "Meschace'be'," where he remained for three years. He was subsequently engaged for a brief period in the composing rooms of the New Orleans "Times" and "States." After severing his connection with these papers he came to New Iberia, and took charge of the local department of "Louisiana Sugar Bowl," in which he was engaged for four years. At the expiration of this time, he established the "New Iberia Enterprise," which he conducted as a semi-weekly for about two years, since which time he has given the people an enlarged twelve-page weekly. The paper is in politics democratic, and is especially devoted to the interest of the Attakapas parishes. This paper ha. accomplished much in the origin and promotion of enterprise for public good, and has received quite a liberal support from the people. Mr. Lawton is the son of William H. and Mathilde (Delhommer) Lawton, the former a native of Fall River, Mass., the latter of St. Charles parish, La. Mr. William H. Lawton came South early in life, and was subsequently manager of a large sugar plantation in St. Charles parish. He was in active service during the whole of the war, and at its close served a term in the state senate. He was twice married, our subject's mother being his second wife. He died in 1884. His wife still survives him.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 486. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.