Courtney Hulbert Lawyer was born August 6, 1897, in Bruce Township, Benton County, Iowa, the son of Alonzo David Lawyer and Olive Marie Kenaston. He graduated from Dysart High School in 1915 and attended Iowa State College (University) the following year. There he studied animal husbandry for one semester (Fall 1916) and later returned to enroll in the herdsman course for one quarter (Winter 1920).



Lawyer worked for the Worth County No.1 Cow Testing Association as their tester. This organization was sponsored by the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and the Iowa State College Extension Service and was charged with tracking milk and butterfat production by herds and helping to improve profitability of dairy herds.



Courtney Hulbert Lawyer married Leona Christine Benjegerder in 1927 at Manly, Iowa. Shortly thereafter, the Lawyers started farming near Manly where they raised Guernsey cattle. Courtney Hulbert Lawyer died in September 1944 as a result of a farm accident.

The Lawyers had two children: Courtney Merle and Vernon David. Both sons graduated from Iowa State College (University). Courtney Merle Lawyer graduated with a B.S. (1956) in agronomy and served in the Soil Conservation Service and also the Army Reserve, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. Vernon David Lawyer graduated from Iowa State with a B.S. (1958) in farm operations and became a successful farmer, farming the home place. Vernon David married an Iowa State graduate, Caryl Louise Marsh, who received her B.S. (1958) in textiles and clothing.