The best-known of the Lawton family was Thomas Willingham Lawton (1882-1963). T. W. Lawton graduated from Rollins College in 1903. He later received his master's degree from Andover Newton College in Boston, Massachusetts. Following college, Lawton returned to Oviedo, where he married Charlotte "Lottie" Lee (1887-1984) and served as the principal of the Oviedo School from 1905 to 1907. In 1916, he became the first elected Superintendent of Schools of Seminole County. He held that post until 1952 and passed away 11 years later in 1963. Lawton Elementary School is named in his honor.]]>
The Lawtons of Summer Oaks. Lawton and Allied Families Association, 1984: Private Collection of Betty Jean Aulin Reagan.]]> The Lawtons of Summer Oaks. Lawton and Allied Families Association, 1984.]]> Oviedo Historical Society Collection, Oviedo Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> Adobe Acrobat Reader]]> RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>
Oviedo Historical Society Collection, Oviedo Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>
Frank Wheeler was born in Dade City on January 2, 1878. After his father passed away in 1889, his family relocated to his mother's hometown in Oviedo. At age 16, Wheeler began working as a telegraph operator for the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) Railroad. In 1898, he purchased a seedling citrus grove that had been abandoned during the Freeze of 1894-1985. Wheeler soon became a successful citrus grower and celery cultivator.

Wheeler married George Lee in 1908 and the couple later had three children: Clara Lee Wheeler Evans (1917-2010); Benjamin Franklin Wheeler, Jr. (1920-2006); and Miriam Louise Wheeler (b. 1922). In 1908, Wheeler partnered with C .F. Brannon and Steen Nelson to operate the Nelson Brothers packinghouse. In 1923, Wheeler purchased the company and renamed it Nelson & Company, Inc. Wheeler also served on the Seminole County Commission and the Oviedo City Council. He was also seminal in organizing the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Citrus Mutual, and the Citizens Bank of Oviedo.]]>
Oviedo Historical Society Collection, Oviedo Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.]]> RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.]]>