On election Tuesday, April 4, 1911, J. C. Crowley was elected mayor the first time. He served as Mayor of Lawson several terms: 1911 – 1912; 1931 – 1932; 1937 – 1945
John Clifton Crowley was born February 27, 1867 in Lawson, the son of John Crowley and Ann Fuller. His wife was Margaret Crowley. On September 12, 1951, he died at age 84 in Lawson and is buried in Lawson Cemetery.