George Lawton was a career employee of the Western Union Telegraph Company and chief operator for Denver, Colorado from 1876 until his retirement in 1915. Before coming to Denver Lawton had worked in other Western Union locations: Omaha, Nebraska, Ogden, Utah and Pueblo, Colorado. He was also an Associated Press correspondent. At the time of his retirement, he was Assistant General Manager of the Denver office. Lawton was interested in Colorado agriculture and known to his friends as "Old Farmer". He was also active in local politics and an early supporter of women's suffrage in Colorado.