My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM P. McLAUGHLIN, a wide-awake young man of Randolph County, is now actively connected with the business interests of Sparta, and conducts a large queensware and grocery store, carrying a stock valued at $3,500. He is also the owner of a valuable estate of three hundred acres, the greater portion of which is under an admirable state of cultivation, and which brings him a good income from its rental.

Mathew McLaughlin, the father of our subject, is a native of Ireland, and was born in County Antrim in 1817. He crossed the Atlantic about 1833, and landing on American soil, made his way to this county, where he purchased land on section 36, township 5, range 6. Here he conducted farming operations, and was more than ordinarily successful in his chosen calling. He was classed among the wealthy agriculturists of his township. He received such an education as was common to give the youth of his day in Ireland, and departed this life on the above farm in 1883. He was ever a consistent Christian, and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. He was a prominent man in politics and always cast his ballot for Republican candidates.

Michael and Jennie (Patton) McLaughlin, the paternal grandparents of our subject, were also natives of Ireland, where they were well-to-do farmers. They emigrated to the United States in company with their son about 1833. The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Martha Kell. She was born in South Carolina, and accompanied her parents, John and Nancy Kell, on their removal to Randolph County. She died sometime in the ‘50s, after having become the mother of four children, those beside our subject being John (deceased), John, the second of that name (who is also deceased), and Margaret, now the wife of James C. Wilson, of this county.

A native of Randolph County, William P. McLaughlin was born December 12, 1846. He remained at home with his parents until reaching his majority, in the meantime attending the district schools during the winter months, and working out on farms through the summer seasons. When ready to establish a home of his own he was married, in 1867, to Miss Eliza Jane Ward, and the young couple immediately located upon rented property, which he continued to operate for the following four years. At the expiration of that time, his father having died, our subject fell heir to the old homestead, on which he made his home until 1883, the date of his removal to Sparta. For the succeeding five years, however, he gave his personal attention to the management of the home farm, but in 1888 rented the property and launched out in the grocery business. He has a well equipped establishment, and is prompt and courteous in his dealings with customers, and as a consequence is carrying on a very lucrative trade.

Mrs. Eliza J. McLaughlin was a native of this county, and was the daughter of Josiah and Jane (Caldwell) Ward, natives of South Carolina. She became the mother of three children, and departed this life on the 14th of April, 1875. She was one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church, and in all things made her life accord with the principles taught by that denomination. By this marriage there were the following children: Martha J., Charles A. and Eliza J. The latter died on the 8th of September, 1875. In the year 1876 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Margaret, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Anderson) Russell, natives of Ireland. Mrs. McLaughlin was born in this county, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of the following four children: Margaret E., William L., Martin Henry and Ira G. Margaret E. departed this life July 8, 1879.

Our subject is an official member of the United Presbyterian Church, with which denomination his wife is also connected. He is a stanch Republican, and as one of Sparta’s most enterprising citizens, has always been identified with movements beneficial to the community.