From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 357-358.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JOSEPH LAWSON

Joseph Lawson, superintendent and secretary and treasurer of the 
Wheeling & Belmont Bridge company, was born in the north of Ireland, 
January 3, 1840. While he was yet an infant, his parents, Robert and 
Sarah (Gallaher) Lawson, removed with their children to Canada.  They 
resided there for several years, and in 1850 came to Wheeling, and 
resided here until 1861, when they removed to Jefferson county, Ohio.  
The father was a farmer by occupation and a worthy citizen.  He died 
in 1881 in his seventy-second year.  His widow, who resides at 
Toronto, Ohio, is now seventy-one years of age.  Seven children of 
the ten born to these parents are living, Joseph Lawson being the 
oldest.  In 1850 he came to Wheeling with his parents, and upon their 
removal to Jefferson county, he remained in Wheeling, which has ever 
since been his home.  Learning the carpenter's trade he worked at the 
same for several years, and from 1862 to 1865 he was in the service 
of the United States government, having charge of the carpentry and 
lumber department at Wheeling.  In 1865 Mr. Lawson was offered the 
superintendency of the Wheeling & Belmont Bridge company, and this 
position, which he then accepted, he has ever since occupied with 
distinction and honor.  In 1872 the company began a reconstruction of 
the wire suspension bridge, intending to make a radical change in its 
plan, according to the most approved engineering methods.  This was 
the third reconstruction since the destruction of the bridge, May 17, 
1854, and it was effected without any interference with travel or 
business on the bridge, in a manner highly creditable to the 
management of the superintendent, Mr Lawson.  Mr. Lawson is a member 
of Virginius lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment and 
Patriarch Militant orders.   In 1864 Mr. Lawson was married to Sallie 
E., daughter of John Brice, a member of one of the pioneer families 
of Belmont county, Ohio, and to their union six children have been 
born, all of whom are living. 


(Linda Fluharty)