Laughlin, James R. 1851 - 1930

LAUGHLIN, CUTTLE, HARRIS, MEIER, KENNEY, CHAMBERLAIN, WALTER, BROOKS, HENRY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/26/2012 at 07:29:21

Postville Herald, Thur., Mar. 27, 1930.
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Lifelong Post Township Resident Passed Away.

James R. Laughlin, was born September 25, 1851, on the home place northeast of Postville, Iowa, and passed away there, quietly, Sunday, March 23, 1930.

He was the youngest son of John and Jance Cuttle Laughlin, Scotch people, who emigrated from Paisley, Scotland, to the United States, where after living in New York, Michigan and Indiana, eventually came to Allamakee county, being among the first settlers in Post township, where they bought a soldier's grant of land.

On this farm James was born, in the log cabin that was their first dwelling, while the frame house, that is the present home, was being built. This same farm has been his home continuously during his entire life of seventy-eight and a half years, a record equalled by no one in Allamakee county, so far as known. He was the last of his family of seven brothers and sisters.

James attended college at Western, the old United Brethren college at Toledo, Iowa, and spent some time at Iowa City studying electricity.

Following this he spent several years farming the home place in summer and teaching school in the winter -- at the Evergreen school first, where he boarded around, and later at Lybrand; as also seven consecutive winters at Minert school, riding horseback across snow-covered fields and fence and through the virgin timber.

He served some time as a non-commissioned officer in the Iowa National Guard. For years he acted as assessor of Post township; he held the office of township trustee for a long period of time; he helped build the first rural telephone line in the community.

His interests were many and varied and a wide general knowledge, increased by reading and conversation, made him conversant on many subjects.

A great lover of nature, he knew the beauty spots and natural life of this section thoroughly. He saved a tract of native timber on the farm for a bird refuge. He spent days at a time driving with team to visit loved spots and make photographic studies of them. When the automobile made travel easier he taught the younger generation to love these same spots.

He was active and alert until within a few days of his death.

In early life he became a member of the United Brethren Church at Bethel, where for a number of years he served as superintendent of the Sunday School and a teacher of boys' classes.

He was married May 4, 1873, at Castalia, Iowa, to Jane Harris, who survives him. To them were born four daughters: Mrs. H. W. Meier and Mrs. K. E. Kenney of Postville; Mrs. W. L. Chamberlain of West Union and Mrs. L. D. Walter of Chicago, Ill. There are also 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and many other relatives.

The above is in brief the life story of one who for almost four-score years had been a resident of Post township and was known to us all as one who measured well up to the full stature of a man. He was industrious, honorable and upright in all his dealings with his fellowmen, and he passed to his reward sincerely mourned by a wide circle of acquaintances and sincere friends. He was a good husband, father and citizen who in the fullness of years has been called to his reward, and the sympathy of all who knew this genial gentleman is extended in full measure to those bound to him by a closer tie.

The funeral was held from the home at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and from the Community Presbyterian church in this city at 2 o'clock, Rev. R. F. Galloway officiating, after which the remains were conveyed to the Minert cemetery, just a little way north of the former home.

Out of town relatives here to attend the funeral were Mrs. W. W. Brooks of Corning, Harold Laughlin of Blaben, N.D., and Mr. and Mrs. Ben Henry of Mason City.

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Submitter is not related.

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