John Augustus Lawing, son of Andrew K. and Mary M. Darrell Lawing, was born December 15, 1845 in Winchester. From 1859-1862 he served an apprenticeship in cabinet making under Henry Hall, then operated a repair shop, and for a number of years was telegraph operator for the N C & St. L Railway. In addition he was postmaster at Athens, Alabama for two years. He was a member of the Winchester bar, was elected a magistrate in 1882 and served until 1894 when he was elected County Court Judge. He was Mayor of Winchester in 1883-1884 when the city became unincorporated. The following year Winchester had no mayor, aldermen, or town constable.