My Genealogy Hound

ALEXANDER LOUGHIN was born October 23, 1845, in Sewickley township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Daniel and Jane (McKay) Loughin. He came with his father to Montgomery county by stage and boat, that being before the building of the Pennsylvania Railroad. His father settled in Port Kennedy, where Alexander grew to manhood and now resides. He attended the public schools of the township, but left school at an early age. He drove his father’s team on the Schuylkill canal, hauling lime and coal from Philadelphia to different points in the state. In 1862 he started to learn the trade of molder in the foundry of Samuel Cresswell, in Philadelphia, and remained there six months. For the next year he was employed in the blacksmith shops of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, at Sixteenth street and Penn avenue, Philadelphia. After that, and until 1867, Mr. Loughin worked in the blacksmith shop of Evan Vanderslice, at Fountain Inn.

In the last named year, being desirous of seeing something of the country farther west, he went to Iowa and remained in that state for four months. For a time he was employed by a bridge building company. After returning to his home he worked in his father’s store and coal yard until, again excited by the spirit of adventure, he took another trip to Iowa, this time staying for six months. After this journey he settled down at Port Kennedy, conducting a general store for many years. This store is now managed by Daniel H. Loughin, a nephew of Alexander Loughin, who is also postmaster of Port Kennedy.

After conducting his store very successfully for about twenty-five years, Mr. Alexander Loughin retired from active life in 1895, and since that time he has been attending to his real-estate interests in Port Kennedy and to his farm in Stafford county, Virginia, which he purchased in 1899. It includes six hundred and twenty-five acres of land, three hundred of which are improved, and is situated four miles from Brooke Station, on the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad. It is a typical Virginia homestead on the banks of the Potomac river, at Aqua Creek landing, which was famous during the Civil war.

Alexander Loughin is an independent Democrat, voting for candidates according to their worth rather than according to their party. He was postmaster of Port Kennedy for ten years, holding the office during Cleveland’s first term, Harrison’s administration, and part of Cleveland’s second term. He is not a member of any church but is a trustee of the Port Kennedy Presbyterian church.

On May 2, 1893, Alexander Loughin married Mary M., daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Shambough) Jones, who was born in Lower Providence township, February 6, 1837. The Jones family are old residents of Montgomery county and have always lived in Lower Providence township. Mrs. Margaret (Shambough) Jones was of German extraction and her husband’s ancestors were Welsh. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones were members of the Lower Providence Presbyterian church and are buried in its churchyard. Mr. Jones died in 1885 and his wife in 1869. They had five children as follows: Lydia Ann, married Price Schutt, and lived in Port Kennedy until Mr. Schutt’s death. Mary M., is the wife of Mr. Loughin. Elizabeth married Christopher Bridge and they live in Princeton, Minnesota. Mr. Bridge was a member of Company I, Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Hartranft, and served throughout the war. He re-enlisted with his regiment and was wounded in the head in one of the battles in Virginia. John died in childhood. David married and lives in Norristown.

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Loughin have no children.

Daniel Loughin, the father of Alexander Loughin, settled at Port Kennedy in 1847. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, but his ancestors were of Scotch descent. He came to America when about eighteen pars of age. Two brothers and his mother also came to America. His father died in Ireland. In 1863 he bought the hotel and removed to it in 1864. He married Miss Jane McKay, who was born in Ireland. He died September 15, 1898, while his wife died in Port Kennedy, in August, 1892. Their children are: Isabella, born in Pittsburg, February 10, 1842. She resides with her sister Catharine, and manages the Logan home. John, born in Sewickley, Westmoreland township, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1843, married Annie R. Gitty, and they live in Virginia. He served in the Civil war. His first enlistment was with the Weathrell Guards, before the war, but from some cause they were disbanded when called into service. On June 16, 1863, he joined the Second Blue Reserves of Philadelphia, known as the Thirty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers and served until August 3, 1863. This was during the invasion of Pennsylvania by Lee and his army. In February, 1864, he joined Company C, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. The regiment was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel G. K. Bowin, Third Brigade, First Division, Eighteenth Army Corps. He was slightly wounded at Dorsey’s Bluffs but did not leave the field. Here he was made corporal. At Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, he was wounded in the right leg, was sent to the hospital and on his return was made sergeant. After Lee’s surrender he was transferred to the Freedemen’s bureau at Campbell Courthouse, where he remained until December 14, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Mr Loughin was engaged in ten raids and engagements, including Swift Creek, Fair Oaks, Cold Harbor, Chapins Farm and several others. The company to which he belonged lost in killed and wounded one captain, two lieutenants and forty-two men. Alexander is the third of the family. Annie J., born December 2, 1847, married William A. Murtha (deceased). She lives at Port Kennedy. Mr. Murtha served in the war of the Rebellion. Daniel, Jr., born February 10, 1850, died May 18, 1877, unmarried. He was a conductor on a Philadelphia & Reading express train. Catharine, born June 21, 1854, is unmarried and lives with her sister Isabella. Harry Loughin, born March 16, 1858, married Clara J. Gibson. He was the conductor on the train which was wrecked at Shoemakersville, September 19, 1900, and was among the killed. He left a widow and one child, Jennie G., seventeen months old.

Alexander Loughin was made a Mason in Phoenix Lodge, No. 75, F. & A. M., Phoenixville, Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1869. He is a member of Phoenix Chapter and the Jerusalem Commandry, No. 15, of Phoenixville, Chester county, also of Port Kennedy Council, No. 844 Jr. O. U. A. M. and is past officer and treasurer of the council, and the Valley Forge Lodge, No. 459, I. O. O. F. He has filled all the chairs and is now its secretary.