Windham

LAWTON, Shailer E.

1st Biography of Shailer E. LAWTON

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 241-242 
(portrait p 241)

Shailer Emery LAWTON, of Brattleboro, was born 03 October 1853 in Goshen 
[Litchfield County], Connecticut, son of Benjamin and Jane E. (NETTLETON) 
LAWTON. Attended the public schools of his native town until 1863, when he 
removed with his parents to Great Barrington [Berkshire County], 
Massachusetts, where he took a course at the Sedgwick Institute, in he 
meantime assisting his father, who was a merchant. Mr. LAWTON went to 
Bridgeport [Fairfield County], Connecticut, in 1873, and engaged in 
mercantile pursuits, continuing for a year, when his desire for the study of 
medicine prevailed, and he returned to Great Barrington and was enrolled as a 
student under the watchful eye of that distinguished physician, Clarkson T. 
COLLINS. He continued his studies here for a year, and then pursued a two 
years' course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, but 
owning to a lack of funds he was not able to remain. Learning from a friend 
of the medical department of the University of Vermont, of the exceptional 
opportunities offered there, he began anew, and availing himself of all the 
advantages offered by that institution, he was graduated M. D. in 1881. 
During the vacation time of his school years he was employed as attendant at 
the Hartford Retreat [Hartford, Hartford County], Connecticut, where he was 
afforded special opportunities for the close study of mental disease.

In 1881, after graduating, Doctor LAWTON came to the Vermont Asylum for the 
Insane at Brattleboro, to fill the place of assistant physician during the 
temporary absence in Europe of Doctor DRAPER. In the fall of 1881, at the 
resignation of Dr. PHELPS, he was appointed second assistant physician, and 
during the winter of 1881-1882 he received the appointment of first assistant 
physician, to succeed Dr. J. W. CLARK, holding that position until the fall 
of 1889, when he resigned to fulfill a long-cherished design of spending a 
year in a special course of study in neurological and psychological medicine. 
His resignation was not, however, accepted, and he was voted a year's leave 
of absence by the board of trustees. He spent six months of his year's leave 
at the Post Graduate Medical School in New York, and the balance of the time 
in travel abroad, visiting and studying at the principal institutions of the 
old world.

Doctor LAWTON returned to Brattleboro in November 1891, and again took up the 
duties of first assistant physician, which position he held until 19 March 
1892, when, at the death of Doctor DRAPER, he received the appointment of 
acting superintendent, and was elected superintendent 20 April 1892. On 01 
June 1893 he [Dr. Shailer Emery LAWTON] was married to Mary Lillian, daughter 
of Capt. James M. and Croline (STANDS) UPTON, of Roxbury [Suffolk County], 
Massachusetts. ["Croline" a typo in the original text for "Caroline?"]



2nd Biography of Shailer E. LAWTON

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 247

Shailer Emery LAWTON was born 03 October 1853 at Goshen [Litchfield County], 
Connecticut, son of Benjamin and Jane E. (NETTLETON) LAWTON. Educated in 
public schools, University of Vermont, medical department, College of 
Physicians & Surgeons, New York City, New York Post Graduate School. In 1881 
appointed assistant physician at Brattleboro Retreat; in 1892 superintendent 
of that institution. Member American Medico-Psychological Association, New 
England Psychological Society, American Roentgen Ray Society, American 
Medical Association, Vermont State Medical Society, Connecticut River Medical 
Society. Director, Vermont National Bank and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital; 
trustee Brooks Library Building. Republican. Unitarian; chairman of the 
prudential committee of the Unitarian Church, Brattleboro. In 1893 he 
[Shailer Emery LAWTON] married [Miss?] Mary Lillian UPTON, of Roxbury 
[Suffolk County], Massachusetts; they have two children: Shailer Upton and 
Lillian Stannels.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly