Laughlin, James M.

LAUGHLIN, MCCLAIN, COOPER, FISHER

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 2/25/2011 at 11:22:13

Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa. Published in Chicago, W.S. Dunbar, 1889

JAMES M. LAUGHLIN was born near La Fayette, Ohio, December 28,1853, and is the son of James D. and Sarah (McClain) Laughlin, natives of the State of Ohio, and of Irish descent. The grandfather of Mr. Laughlin, who was also called James, was an oficer in the Revolutionary War. James M. came with his parents to Tama County, Iowa, when yet a child, and lived there until he removed to Cherokee County. His parents and grandparents were among the early settlers of Tama County, living in Carlton Township when their houses were the only buildings in sight. Mr. Laughlin may well be proud of ancestors brave and courageous enough to face the dangers and hardships of pioneer life. His grandfather entered 120 acres of land for each of his children, and the old parchment patents are still in the possession of the family. His grandfather and father died in Tama County, the former before the Civil War, and the latter in 1864. The mother afterward married Mr. John Strain, and now resides in Willow Township. Mr. Laughlin received his education in the common schools of Tama County, and in the Albion Seminary, Albion, Iowa. In 1882 he came to Cherokee County, having previously bought 120 acres of land there. Hs afterward sold twenty acres to his brother, so that he now has 100 acres. When he first settled there the land was wild and uncultivated, and all the improvements in the way of buildings are the result of Mr. Laughlin’s industry; he has also brought the land to an advanced degree of cultivation. October 14, 1880, occurred the marriage of James M. Laughlin and Miss Eva Cooper, daughter of H. H. and Elizabeth (Fisher) Cooper. Her father is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Ohio, the latter being of German ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin are the parents of three children: Alice, Alsie and Clarence. In politics Mr. Laughlin supports the issues of the Republican party. The people of his township have shown him honor by calling him to fill the office of constable and school director, and he has acquitted himself in these duties with much credit.