History of Lucas County Ohio United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Lucas County Ohio, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Henry Ware Lawton, soldier, was born in Manhattan, Lucas county, Ohio, March 17, 1843; son of George and Catherine (Daley) Lawton. He attended the Methodist Episcopal college, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1854-61, and enlisted for three months' service in the 9th Indiana infantry, April 18, 1861. He re-enlisted, Sept. 24, 1861. and was commissioned 1st lieutenant, 30th Indiana regiment, to date from Aug. 20, 1861, with which regiment he served throughout the civil war. He was promoted captain, May 17, 1862; lieutenant-colonel, Feb. 10, 1865, to date from Nov; 15, 1864; was brevetted colonel, March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service during the war, and was mustered out and honorably discharged, Nov. 25, 1865. He was awarded a medal of honor, June 24, 1893, "for distinguished gallantry in the battle at Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 3, 1864." He also distinguished himself at the battle of Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 15-16, 1864, where he commanded his regiment. He studied law in Fort Wayne, 1865-66, and at Harvard, 1865-67, in the class of 1868, leaving Harvard Law school, May 4, 1867, to accept the commission of 2d lieutenant in the 41st U.S. infantry, his appointment dating July 28, 1866. He was promoted 1st lieutenant, July 31, 1867; transferred to the 24th infantry, Nov. 11, 1869, and to the 4th U.S. cavalry, Jan. 1, 1871, and served as quartermaster and in other important positions under Gen. Ronald S. Mackenzie, with whom he participated in some of the most arduous and successful Indian wars in the northwest and south. He was promoted captain, March 20, 1879; was appointed inspector-general with the rank of major, Sept. 17, 1888, and was promoted lieutenant-colonel, Feb. 12, 1889, and colonel, July 7, 1898. On March 4, 1898, he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers for service in the war with Spain, and was promoted major-general of volunteers, July 8, 1898. In the Indian campaigns of 1886, he served under General Miles against Geronimo, the Apache chief, and he received the surrender of the leader and his starving men after pursuing them on foot over the lava beds and mountains for weeks. On the outbreak of the war with Spain he was assigned to the command of the 2d division of the 5th corps, and on the day after the battle of E1 Caney, July 1, 1868, he was recommended for promotion to the rank of major-general for conspicuous services. He commanded the department of Santiago and succeeded to the command of the 4th army corps. He accompanied the President on his tour of the states after peace was declared, and was ordered to the Philippines, Dec. 29, 1898, where he was second in command, General Otis being first. On March 18, 1899, he assumed command of the 1st division, 8th army corps; captured Santa Cruz, April 10; led the expedition to San Isidro, April 22-May 17, and commanded the army operating in the Morong province, June L His expedition through the provinces of Laguna and Balacan resulted in the capture of 28 towns after 22 separate engagements. He marched south to Imus, June 10-19, fighting the battle of Zapot? Bridge, June 13; and then advanced up the Rio Grande, through the provinces of Pampana and Nueva Ecija, the expedition in its relentless march destroying the strongholds of the Philippine army and materially weakening its power. He returned to Manila, Dec. 16, and left there Dec. 18, 1899, for San Mateo for the purpose of capturing the place, where he was confronted by 300 intrenched Philippine sharpshooters. On drawing up his force, made up of battalions of the 27th and 29th infantry and the 11th cavalry, in front of the line of battle, he was shot in the breast and instantly killed. His body was conveyed to the United States and buried with military honors at Arlington, Va. He was married in 1881 to Mary Craig, of Louisville, Ky., and his family of four children?three daughters and one son?were with him in the Philippines, his son being on his staff, although but a mere boy of twelve years. On the news of his death a fund of $98,407.70 was raised and turned over to Mrs. Lawton through Adjutant-General Corbin. General Lawton died at San Mateo, Luzon, Philippine Islands, Dec. 19, 1899.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Lucas County Ohio

Biographies:

Local History and Genealogy Links: