Lyman Pearly Lawton & Sarah Ann Smith
Blended Beginnings, Steadfast Belief: Building a Life on Michigan Soil
Lyman Pearly Lawton was born on April 11, 1845 (his tombstone indicates 1846) in St. Lawrence County, New York. As a boy of five, he and his family—his parents Henry and Elizabeth—joined the wave of settlers moving west, reaching southern Michigan. His youth in a pioneer family was rooted in resilience, especially after his mother Margaret’s death left behind eight children to care for.
By 1860, the Lawtons had settled in Polkton, Ottawa County, Michigan. Around 1866, Lyman struck out on his own and homesteaded 18 miles from Cadillac at a place known as Meauwataka. Alone, he stayed for three months on the raw land, building a log house and barn before returning to fetch his wife and young daughter, all by wagon and horse. On one of those early journeys, with their supply of bread gone, his wife Margaret rolled out biscuit dough on the wagon seat and baked them in campfire coals. They even kept fires burning at night to keep wolves at bay.
Lyman and Margaret had one child during this time: Adeline Lenora, born July 11, 1868. Shortly after, they welcomed a son, George, who sadly survived only three years due to profound illness. Around then, Margaret fell ill with tuberculosis and passed away at only 28, leaving Lyman a widower with two small children.
In search of a new beginning, Lyman heard that land was being distributed to settlers. He remained in Meauwataka and the storekeeper, Elijah Smith, introduced him to his sister, Sarah Ann Smith—a young schoolteacher from New York State who had come to Michigan at age 19 with little family support. Raised in hardship and known to only speak German, she was graciously offered a new life with Lyman. They married on August 20, 1877, in Cadillac, Michigan, and Sarah welcomed Adeline as her own, then birthed seven children herself.
Their children:
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Stowell Ernest (b. March 13, 1879)
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Earl Chesley (b. July 11, 1880; died Sept 1, 1881 of whooping cough)
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Ethel May (b. Oct 23, 1882)
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Maude Pearl (b. July 25, 1885)
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Lula Elizabeth (b. May 29, 1887)
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Winnifred Emma (b. Sept 5, 1892)
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Lloyd Elijah (b. Oct 7, 1895)
The Lawton family’s faith sustained them. Lyman and his first wife were early converts in the Free Methodist Church, and Lyman remained a devout member—sometimes serving as a minister. Their children attended Resseguie School (all but Lula, who later became a teacher), and the family raised apples, peaches, and other crops. They relied on a nearby spring for water, a task that fell heavily on young children like Lloyd. When Lula’s husband died of tuberculosis, Sarah and Winnifred cared for her young son while she pursued her education.
In spring 1900, the Lawtons sold their farm in Wexford County and moved south to Custer Township, Mason County, Michigan. Their journey took them from wagon through train (via Cadillac and Reed City) to Custer, where they were greeted by relatives. They lived in various rented homes before buying a farm. Their economics in city directories listed them as owning 40 acres in Custer—a small but stable legacy.
Lyman continued landownership and farming until around 1917. As his son Lloyd registered for the WWI draft, the family sold most of their property and moved into Scottville, where Lyman worked as a carpenter. By 1920, the Lawtons—Lyman, Sarah, and Lloyd—were living together in Scottville.
Sarah’s health declined after years of service, and she died on May 11, 1924, in Scottville of diabetes complicated by gangrene of the legs. She bore her suffering with Christian endurance, never complaining despite unbearable pain. She was laid to rest at Brookside Cemetery, Scottville.
Lyman spent his final year living with his daughter Adeline in Ludington. He passed away on April 21, 1925, at her home, from chronic myocarditis. He was buried beside his beloved wife at Brookside Cemetery.
Lyman and Sarah’s life together is a story of faith, courage, and steadfast devotion—homesteading rugged lands, forming a blended family, and building a life grounded in Free Methodist belief. From log cabins to farmsteads, from deep loss to new beginnings, their legacy endures in their large brood, their harvests, and the church community they helped sustain.
Detailed Timeline
Lyman Pearly Lawton
Birth: 11 APR 1845.
Note: Tombstone says he was born in 1846.
1850 Census: 23 JUL 1850
Place: Dekalb, St. Lawrence, New York
Note: Living with parents, Henry and Elizabeth.
1860 Census: Family is living in Polkton, Ottawa Co, Michigan. Lyman isn’t living in household – but I’m unable to find where he is.
1st Marriage: 14 JUL 1867 to Margaret Jane Harris
Place: Big Springs, Ottawa Co, Michigan
Birth of Daughter: 11 JUL 1868
Name: Adeline Lenora Lawton
1870 Census: 25 AUG 1870
Place: Colfax, Wexford Co, Michigan
Note: Last name spelled Laughton. Margaret and Addie are living in household.
Moved to: ABT 1871
Place: Meawautaka, Michigan
Details: When Addie was about three years old, Lyman went to a still more undeveloped area about 18 miles from Cadillac at Meawautaka, to take up a homestead. He had to stay three months on the homestead. He built a small log house and a barn before returning for his wife and daughter. It took many days and nights to move. When they ran out of bread, wife Margaret rolled out biscuits on the wagon seat and baked them in hot coals of the campfire. They had to keep fires burning to keep the wolves away.
Note: When the Free Methodist Church was organized, Both Lyman and Margaret became early converts.
Birth of Son: 14 JUL 1872
Name: George Lawton
Details: He lived only three years – all that time being helpless and a great care to his parents. About this time Margaret became ill and was forced to return to her brother George Harris’s home where she died at age 28 with tuberculosis when Addie was just 7 ½ years old.
Birth of Son: 13 MAR 1879
Name: Stowell Ernest Lawton
Place: Meauwataka, Wexford Co, Michigan
Note: At this time, Lyman heard they were giving away land to settlers. He moved to Meauwataka in Colfax Township (near Cadillac). The land wasn’t cleared and when they removed the trees for homes and lumber they found that the soil was poor. The storekeeper in the area, Elijah Smith, knew that Lyman needed a wife. He told Lyman that he had a sister. Sarah Ann Smith, a young school teacher from New York state had been left homeless at an early age. She was raised by some people named Tuttle who were very mean to her. She taught school in New York state before coming to Michigan upon the request of her brother Elijah. It has been said that her brother told her he had a man for her. She was born in Danby, Duncan County, New York on February 14, 1852 and came to Michigan at age 19 where she met Lyman. On August 20, 1877, Lyman and Sarah married. Sarah not only became a good mother to Addie but also had seven children of her own.
2nd Marriage: 20 AUG 1877 to Sarah Ann Smith
Place: Cadillac City, Wexford Co, Michigan
Birth of Son: 13 MAR 1879
Name: Stowell Ernest Lawton
Place: Meauwataka, Wexford Co, Michigan
1880 Census: Colfax, Wexford Co, Michigan
Note: Wife, Sarah, and two children are living in household.
Birth of Daughter: 23 OCT 1882
Name: Ethel May Lawton
Birth of Daughter: 25 JUL 1885
Name: Maude Pearl Lawton
Birth of Daughter: 29 MAY 1887
Name: Lula Elizabeth Lawton
Land Record: 1889
Place: Owned land in Colfax, Wexford County, MI, section 29
Lived in: 1897
Place: Colfax Twp, Wexford County, MI
Birth of Daughter: 5 SEP 1892
Name: Winnifred Emma Lawton
Birth of Son: 7 OCT 1895
Name: Lloyd Elijah Lawton
1900 Census: 14 JUN 1900
Place: Colfax Twp, Wexford Co, Michigan, USA
Moved to: Spring 1900
Place: Custer Twp, Mason Co, Michigan, USA
Note: In the spring of 1900, the Lawton family moved to Mason County. They started to drive through with the team and wagon. One of the horses balked and laid down. Since they didn’t want to drive a balky horse they went back, disposed of things, and took the ‘stage’ from Uncle Elijah Smith’s store to Cadillac. They took the Grand Rapids and Indiana train to Reed City, and the Pere Marquette train to Custer where they were met by relatives. The Lawtons lived in a house owned by R. S. McClain just south of Reseguie School. Later they lived on the Barrett place (now owned by James Allison), then they lived on South Tuttle Road just north of the Martin farm. Then they bought the farm now owned by Joe Giammalva. The first house they lived in was moved to the farm. The younger children received all or most of their education at Resseguie School except Lula who went on to be a teacher. The family raised apples and peaches besides other crops. It was necessary to carry all water from a spring at the foot of the hill near the creek. During this time much of the responsibility of the farm gradually fell upon the shoulders of Lloyd. Also it was during this time that Lula’s husband died with tuberculosis. She brought her young son to his grandparents where Grandma Lawton and Aunt Winnie helped to care for him while his mother continued her education.
Religion: A devout Christian, in early life he affiliated with the Free Methodist Church of which church he has remained faithful.
1904 City Directory
Note: 27, 40 acres, $350, Custer, Custer, RFD2.
1910 Census: 30 APR 1910
Place: Custer, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Wife, Sarah, and two children are living in household.
Note: By 1917, Lloyd was old enough to register for the draft of WWI. They sold the farm and everything except the household furnishings. Lyman and Sarah moved to Scottville on North Thomas Street. Lloyd was called to military service in 1918.
1920 Census: 13 JAN 1920
Place: Scottville, Mason, Michigan, USA
Details: Lyman, Sarah, and Lloyd are living in household.
1922 City Directory
Note: Listed as being a carpenter
Occupation: Farmer – Raised apples and peaches
Family Picture
Note: After the death of his wife, Sarah, he went to live at his daughter Addie’s home at 421 North Robert Street, Ludington, Michigan.
Died: 21 APR 1925 at the home of his daughter, Addie McClain, Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Died of chronic myocarditis.
Obituary: AFT 21 APR 1925
Place: Mason Co, Michigan, USA
Burial: Brookside Cemetery, Mason Co, Michigan, USA
Click here to see parents: Henry Lawton and Elizabeth Newton
Note: Lyman Pearly Lawton, born April 11, 1845 in St. Lawrence County, New York, was of pioneer stock that developed the state of Michigan, pioneering first with his parents with whom he came to southern Michigan when but 5 years of age. The Lawtons settled near Coopersville and soon after the mother, Margaret, died leaving a family of eight young children. Their struggles can be imagined only by those who have gone through similar experiences.
When 21 years of age, young Lyman married Miss Margaret Harris in Big Springs, Ottawa County about 18 miles from Grand Rapids. A daughter, Addie Lenora, was born July 11, 1868. When Addie was about three years old, Lyman went to a still more undeveloped area about 18 miles from Cadillac at Meawautaka to take up a homestead. He had to stay three months on the homestead. He built a small log house and a barn before returning for his wife and daughter. It took many days and nights to move. When they ran out of bread, wife Margaret rolled out biscuits on the wagon seat and baked them in hot coals of the camp fire. They had to keep fires burning to keep the wolves away.
When the Free Methodist Church was organized, both Lyman and Margaret became early converts. A baby son George was born to Lyman and Margaret. He lived only three years – all that time being helpless and a great care to his parents. About this time Margaret became ill and was forced to return to her brother George Harris’s home where she died at age 28 with tuberculosis when Addie was just 7 years old.
At this time, Lyman heard they were giving away land to settlers. He moved to Meauwataka in Colfax Township (near Cadillac). The land wasn’t cleared and when they removed the trees for homes and lumber they found that the soil was poor. The storekeeper in the area, Elijah Smith, knew that Lyman needed a wife. He told Lyman that he had a sister. Sarah Ann Smith, a young school teacher from New York state had been left homeless at an early age. She was raised by some people named Tuttle who were very mean to her. She taught school in New York state before coming to Michigan upon the request of her brother Elijah. It has been said that her brother told her he had a man for her.
She was born in Danby, Duncan County, New York on February 14, 1852 and came to Michigan at age 19 where she met Lyman. On August 20, 1877, Lyman and Sarah married. Sarah not only became a good mother to Addie but also had seven children of her own. Her family is as follows: Stowell Ernest b. 3-18-1879 d. 4-28-1974 m. Miss Minnie Garn; children: Floyd, Leah, Evelyn, Verne, Grace, Lois, Earl Chesley b. 7-11-1880 d. 9-11-1881; death caused by whooping cough. Ethel May b. 10-23-1882 d. 1-11-1963 m. Orin Train Larr; children; Virtol, Milford, Bernice, Velma, Ernest and Dora. Maud Pearl b. 7-25-1885 d. 12-23-1958 m. Alfred Thompson; children: Della, Virl, Clarence, Doris, Laurel, June, Earl. Lula Elizabeth b. 5-19-1887 d. 6-12-1972 m. Oscar McGhan; children: Lawrence. Winnifred Emma b. 9-5-1892 d. 7-8-1952 m. William Standish; children: Iva, Earl, Roy, Marshall. Lloyd Elijah b. 10-7-1895 m. Mrs. Minnie Laird Peters, and Mrs. Sophia Lyon Salisbury; stepchildren: Myrtle and Earl Peters; Verda, Melbourne, Darwin, Velma, and Vonda Salisbury.
In the spring of 1900 the Lawton family moved to Mason County. They started to drive through with the team and wagon. One of the horses balked and laid down. Since they didn’t want to drive a balky horse they went back, disposed of things, and took the ‘stage’ from Uncle Elijah Smith’s store to Cadillac. They took the Grand Rapids and Indiana train to Reed City, and the Pere Marquette train to Custer where they were met by relatives. The Lawtons lived in a house owned by R. S. McClain just south of Reseguie School. Later they lived on the Barrett place (now owned by James Allison), then they lived on South Tuttle Road just north of the Martin farm. Then they bought the farm now owned by Joe Giammalva. The first house they lived in was moved to the farm.
The younger children received all or most of their education at Resseguie School except Lula who went on to be a teacher.
The family raised apples and peaches besides other crops. It was necessary to carry all water from a spring at the foot of the hill near the creek. During this time much of the responsibility of the farm gradually fell upon the shoulders of Lloyd. Also it was during this time that Lula’s husband died with tuberculosis. She brought her young son to his grandparents where Grandma Lawton and Aunt Winnie helped to care for him while his mother continued her education. By 1917 Lloyd was old enough to register for the draft of WWI. The farm and everything was sold except the household furnishings. Lyman and Sarah moved to Scottville on North Thomas Street. Lloyd was called to military service in 1918. Sarah died on Mother’s Day on May 11, 1924 with diabetes.
After that Lyman lived with daughter Addie at 421 North Robert Street, Ludington. He passed away on April 21, 1925. Both are buried in Brookside Cemetery, Scottville, Michigan. Daughter, Addie’s family included Eva, Grace, Hazel, Violet, Floyd, Ford. She married Andrew McClain in Wexford County. Daughter Hazel was a miniature sized person. Both Sarah and Lyman Lawton were long time faithful members of the Free Methodist Church, with Lyman being a minister for his church.
Sarah Ann Smith
Birth: 14 FEB 1852 Danby, Tompkins County, New York
Note: Sarah Smith’s mother died when Sarah was just a small child. Sarah had a hard life and was put in a family where she worked hard and was cruelly treated. Her brother, Elijah Smith, it seems, helped her to get away from this place. Sarah was also a teacher in New York State.
1860 Census: Unable to find in Tompkins County, NY
1870 Census: 01 SEP 1870
Place: Groton, Tompkins Co, New York
Note: Living as a domestic in the Ernest and Nancy Smiley family.
Illness: ABT 1912
Note: Became ill with sugar diabetes terminating into gangrene.
Religion: Was a devoted member of the Free Methodist Church.
Death: 11 MAY 1924 Scottville, Mason County, Michigan
Note: Died from Diabetes (had gangrene of the feet and legs). Since November of 1923 she had been bedfast and such was the nature of her disease, her pain was at times almost beyond human nature to endure. But with patience and Christian fortitude she bore it all never complaining, always appreciative of the kindness of her family and friends.
Obituary: AFT 11 MAY 1924
Place: Mason Co, Michigan
Burial: Brookside Cemetery, Mason Co, Michigan, USA
Click here to see parents: Sanford Smith and Polly Ogden
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