http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?MarkerID=25218

Marker text

(Buried 1/2 mile NW of here). Born in Tennessee on June 15, 1811. While very young learned the printing trade and worked at it in some of the principal cities of the United States. Came to Nacogdoches, Texas, in November 1835, in answer to pleas for volunteers for Texas army. Was pressed into service publishing the "Texas and Emigrant's Guide," with essential war proclamations. Also printed handbills, patriotic songs and legal documents. His newspaper was one of several printed in Texas during war for independence, 1836. In 1839, moved to what is now Jefferson County and engaged in cattle ranching. Served as captain of a ranger company. Was county's Chief Justice during the days of the Republic of Texas. Moved to Bastrop County in 1861, where he tried farming; then moved to Williamson County where he died February 14, 1884. As a newspaper publisher and printer for the Army of the Revolution (1835-1836), an Indian fighter, frontiersman and judge, he contributed much to the early development of Texas. In 1840, David Lawhon married Nancy Carr, a daughter of one of Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hundred" settlers. Their eleven children carried on their pioneering spirit and tradition.

Subject:  David Ervin Lawhon --
 
 
David E. Lawhon. Few families have a longer or more distinguished record in Texas history than that of the Lawhons, and they were among the pioneers in the southeastern section of the state in the vicinity of the now popular city of Beaumont.
The founder of he family name and fortunes in Texas was David E. Lawhon, a native of Tennessee, and printer by trade. His arrival in Texas was in the latter months of 1835 or early in 1836. H e had stopped a short time at Natchitoches, Louisiana, and while there was a member of the reception committee which entertained Col. Dave Crockett, when that celebrity passed through on his way to Texas, where he soon afterwards met death in the Alamo. David E. Lawhon joined the Texas Revolutionary Army, but when it was found that he was a printer he was released from military duty in order to publish a paper in behalf of the proposed new republic. This was issued by him probably either at Natchitoches or San Augustine, and was one of the first newspapers published in Texas, the old Texas Telegraph possibly having antedated it. About 1839 he moved to what is now Jefferson County. He lived in Jefferson, Orange and Hardin Counties until 1886 when he moved with his family to Bastrop County. During his residence in Jefferson County, while Texas was a republic, he served as chief justice of the County, an office corresponding to that of county judge. David E. Lawhon died in 1886.
Soon after locating in Jefferson County he married Nancy Carr, daughter of William Carr, one of the earliest settlers of Jefferson County. Just prior to the battle of San Jacinto the settlers in East Texas became alarmed at the approach of the Mexican army under Santa Anna and a large number of them fled to the East bank of the Sabine River. They remained there until they learned of the defeat and capture of Santa Anna and his army when they returned to their homes. William Carr and his family were among the settlers who were in this “Stampede” or Runaway.”
John c. Lawhon, a brother of David E. Lawhon, was also well known in Jefferson County and East Texas. The John C. Lawhon League in Jefferson County was granted to him prior in the Texas Revolution. The “Lawhon Woods,” the famous hunting ground, is located on this land and named for John C. Lawhon.
I. W. Lawhon, an attorney of Beaumont and member of the firm of Crook, Lord, Lawhon & Ney, is a grandson of David E. Lawhon.

 

links of interest

http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/lee/cemetery/gardner-lawhon.txt

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/00631/cah-00631.html

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fla53

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=2386669&GRid=11804190&