My Genealogy Hound

JAMES MCLAUGHLIN. This name will be recognized by many of our readers as that of a gentleman who has borne an important part in the development of the agricultural resources of southern Illinois. For more than a decade he resided in Randolph County, of which he was a prominent and popular resident, but in the spring of 1894 he came to Jackson County and settled upon a valuable farm in Levan Township. He is a man of active habits, not afraid of hard work, and thus has found plenty to occupy his time, and, like the majority of Scotchmen, does not know what it is to be idle.

The father of our subject, Andrew McLaughlin, was born in Scotland and was reared to manhood upon a farm in the land of his birth. Soon after the War of 1812 he came to America and settled in Vermont, where he married Miss Anna McDermot, a native of Scotland. He engaged in farming pursuits, in which he was successful, gaining a competence and being numbered among the progressive agriculturists of the Green Mountain State. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious matters was identified with the Methodist Church. His death occurred in 1858, and he was buried near the home where so many years of his honored life had been passed. Two years after his demise his wife passed away. They were the parents of three children, Angus, Annie and James, the latter being the only one now living.

Born in Vermont, January 20, 1820, the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood upon the home farm, and in his youth learned the trade of a tanner, but did not, however, follow that occupation for a very long time. In 1845 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of John Stephens, and a native of Vermont. Two children have been born of this union, Anna, the wife of Robert Wilson and a resident of St. Louis, Mo., and Andrew, who at present resides with his father and of whom further mention is made else where in this volume.

Disposing of his homestead in the Green Mountain State, Mr. McLaughlin came west in 1870 and settled twenty miles from St. Louis, in Missouri, where he remained engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1880, the date of his removal to Randolph County. At present he owns a farm in this county, but as above stated, removed thence to Levan Township, Jackson County, in the spring of 1894. A man of progressive character, he is well informed concerning all topics of current interest and is especially fond of reading articles and books bearing upon national issues. In politics he is a stanch Republican and never fails to deposit his ballot for the principles of that party. He has never held any public office, preferring to devote his time wholly to the details of farm work.