McLaughlin, Reuben E.

MCLAUGHLIN, WOODMANSEE, EVERT, SHEELY

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/2/2019 at 13:40:42

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.
Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 403-04. Chicago. 1915.

REUBEN E. McLAUGHLIN

Reuben E. McLaughlin, a well known and respected citizen of Leon, is now serving for the second term in the office of county auditor, proving an able and popular incumbent. His birth occurred in Decatur county, Iowa, on the 28th of May, 1881, his parents being John W. and Mary E. (Woodmansee) McLaughlin. The father, a native of Marion, Ohio, came to this county when a youth of twelve years and here attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company I, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command until the cessation of hostilities and being honorably discharged in 1865. Returning to Decatur county, he resumed agricultural pursuits and here successfully engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his active business career. His demise occurred on the 28th of March, 1907, and the community mourned the loss of one of its esteemed and substantial citizens. To him and his wife were born five children, as follows: Ettie G.; Laura, who is the wife of Francis Evert; John, who died in infancy; James W.; and Reuben E., of this review.

The last named acquired his early education in the public schools of this county and subsequently entered Drake University at Des Moines, completing his studies in that institution in 1900. After returning home he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for six years and then embarked in the farm implement business, conducting enterprises of that character at Davis City and Decatur for three years. In 1910 he was elected county auditor on the democratic ticket and at the end of two years' service was chosen for another term, in this connection making a most creditable and commendable record as an efficient and trustworthy public official.

In 1902 Mr. McLaughlin was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Sheely, a daughter of J. R. Sheely, of Clarke county, Iowa. They have one child, Verda A. Mr. McLaughlin is a young man of enterprise, ambition and worth and has won many friends within the borders of his native county.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014