Lawson Booe was born 16 Apr 1833 in Fountain County, Indiana, the son of Philip and Jemima (Clinton) Booe1. His father was from South Carolina. His parents came to Fountain County in 1827 and settled on Scott's prairie in Jackson twp. Philip Booe died in Apr 1874.

Lawson Booe 1st married Isabel J. Hesler. She died 26 Aug 1863. The had a daughter, Ida Jane Booe. He married 2nd Matilda Justus/Justice/Justis, widow of James Campbell. Matilda was born on 30 Sep 1840, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Justis. She had 2 children by her prior marriage, John J. Campbell and Sarah "Olive" Campbell. Lawson and Matilda had a daughter, Ellora, born 16 Aug 1874.

Lawson and his wife were members of the Christian Church and he was a member of the Masonic Order. He was a Democrat. Lawson was in the grocery business and was known for raising fine strawberries2. In 1900 Matilda's brother, William A. Justice, born 1842, was living in their household3.

Lawson died of apoplexy on 9 Sep 1915 at his home in Veedersburg4. Matilda followed on 29 Nov 19235. Both Lawson and Matilda are probably buried at Rockfield Cemetery, Fountain Co. There is a large monument marked BOOE-O'REAR but no individual markers.

Children of Lawson Booe and Isabel J. (Hesler) Booe:
 

1. Ida Jane Booe b. 11 Oct 1858; m. Silas Vickery

1. Ellora Booe (also known as L'Ora and Ora) b. 16 Aug 1874; d. 18 Apr 1954 Danville, Ill.6 m. Earl Dick O'Rear; He d. before 19207. They had a son (?) Lawson O'Rear born abt. 1900 and died before 1954 (not listed as survivor in mother's obituary). Ellora and husband, Earl Dick O'Rear are probably buried in Rockfield Cemetery.

Notes:

1. Beckwith, H.W., History of Fountain County, (1881; reprint, Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphic Inc., 1976) pg 256

2. Lawson Booe obituary, Covington Friend, Fountain Co., 17 Sep 1915

3. Lawson Booe household, 1900 U.S. Census, Fountain County, Indiana, population schedule, town of Veedersburg, ED 75 Sht 12 Ln 29

4. Lawson Booe entry, Fountain County Deaths, Health Record H-18 pg 41

5. Matilda Booe entry, Parham Funeral Home Records at Veedersburg Library, Fountain County, Indiana. Her parents names from this source. This record also listed Rockfield Cemetey as burial site.

6. Ora O'Rear obituary, Danville Commercial News, Vermilion Co., Illinois, 19 Apr 1954

7. Matilda Booe household, 1920 U.S. Census, Fountain County, Indiana, population schedule, town of Veedersburg, ED 85 Sht 12 Ln 41

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