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Lott Laughlin 1839-1916

LAUGHLIN, CAMPION, KANE

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/13/2010 at 19:10:14

The Palo Alto Tribune
Emmetsburg, Iowa
12 Apr 1916
Page 1

Lott Laughlin

Lott Laughlin died at his home here at 4:40 a.m. Friday, April 7. Some years ago he suffered intensely from rhumatic trouble, but in later years he was relieved of this. His final illness was not over twenty-four hours in duration and death came rather unexpectedly. Funeral services were held at the Assumption church at ten o'clock Monday morning when a solemn high mass was celebrated by Very Rev. P. F. Farrelly, who was assisted by Revs. McNerney and Veit. The pall bearers were Thos Kirby, Ed Ryan, Chas Nolan, M. T. Washington, J. J. Mahan and J. P. Crowley.

Lott Laughlin was born at Castle Warren, Kilkenny county, Ireland, on Jan. 1, 1839. When nine years of age he came to America with his parents. They located at Worchester, Mass., where they resided for four years, then moved westward to Elgin, Ill., remaining four years. In 1856 with three teams of oxen they crossed the Mississippi to Iowa City and thence proceeded to Ft. Dodge. Here the family remained while the father, Martin Laughlin and his eldest son, Lott Laughlin came to Palo Alto county bringing with them a surveyor to stake out a claim for them. They preempted a quarter section as a homestead and under the "swamp act" secured an additional quarter section. Then the family came from Ft. Dodge and the Laughlin home was established in Walnut township. This was just sixty years ago this spring. In the spring of 1857 with other Palo Alto pioneers Lott Laughlin joined the northern brigade and remained in service at Estherville during the years of 62 and 63. The Laughlin was one of the original families of the old "Irish Colony of seven families." The others were Neary, Mahan, Downey, Jas Nolan, Jack Nolan and P. R. Jackman. The latter is now the only surviving member of the colony.

On Nov. 27, 1874, Mr. Laughlin united in marriage with Miss Rose Campion. The marriage took place in the old town and the ceremony was performed by Very Rev. J. J. Smith. To this union seven children were born all of whom survive their father. They are M. J. Laughlin of Graettinger, W. J. of this city, Lott, who is employed with the Cotton Oil Co., of Taylor, Texas, and P. J. of the First National Bank of Denver. Mrs. Will Kane of this place and Misses Nellie and Rose Laughlin who are at home. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin made their home at the old homestead and resided there until 1900 when they moved to Emmetsburg and erected a beautiful home. Mr. Laughlin was among the old and sturdy pioneers and his death reminds us that they have been passing away one by one, rapidly for the past number of years until the ranks have been thinned to a very few. We are prone to overlook the debt of gratitude we owe to these sturdy men and women who came here a half century ago and bore all the trials and hardships of pioneer life. These people whose faith, hope and expectancy carried them through days of trials and hardships, that to those who are enjoying the present day luxuries would have been distressing. Among them all there was none who bore his share more bravely or performed his part more faithfully than Mr. Laughlin. By his very nature he was earnest, sincere and honest. He was generous and a soul of hospitality. His spirit of willing helpfulness was recognized by all who knew him. He knew what adversity meant and bore it bravely. He also experienced prosperity and enjoyed it quietly. The various relations of life as son, husband, father, brother and friend he filled well. He led a quiet, peaceful, useful life, doing the best he could at all times in his humble way. Such lives are a blessing and a benefaction to the race. Any memory of him by those who knew him well will be a kindly one. His neighbors honored and respected him. His family loved him and will long cherish his memory as a precious legacy. To his bereaved wife and children the Tribune extends sincere sympathy.

The Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
12 Apr 1916
Page 1

Lot Laughlin Died Early Friday Morning

Was Member of Irish Colony -- Lived in County About Sixty Years

Thursday night about 8 o'clock our citizens learned of the death of Patrick Mulroney, mention of which is made elsewhere in this issue of the Democrat. In the morning it was announced that Lot Laughlin, his next door neighbor and intimate personal friend for fifty-five years, had also passed away during the night. Their deaths occurred about eight hours apart. Wednesday Mr. Laughlin called to see Mr. Mulroney, who was very ill, and speaking to a friend after he left the house, he remarked that he did not think his old neighbor would live very long. Mr. Laughlin arose as usual Thursday morning and ate a hearty breakfast. He was feeling quite strong. During the forenoon he was taken very ill and towards evening the members of the family became greatly alarmed about his condition. He passed away at four o'clock in the morning.

The funeral was held Monday forenoon. Services were conducted at Assumption church, the Very Rev. P. F. Farrelly officiating. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. There was a large attendance of neighbors and old friends from distant parts of the county. The pall bearers were J. J. Mahan, Charles Nolan, M. T. Washington, Edward Ryan, Thos. Kirby and J. P. Crowley.

Lot Laughlin was born at Castle Warren, in the county of Kilkenny, Ireland, January 1, 1839. When he was nine years old his parents came to the United States. They located at Worcester, Mass. Four years later they came west and settled at Elgin, Ill., where they lived for four years. In 1856, in company with James and John Nolan, John Neary, Edward and Myles Mahan, Martin Laughlin, Thomas Laughlin and Patrick and Michael Jackman, practically all being men of families, started for Iowa. After crossing the Mississippi river by ferry they came to Iowa City, and thence to Fort Dodge. During the summer they brought a surveyor to Palo Alto county to locate claims. They settled near the Des Moines river about one and one-half miles northwest of the present town of Emmetsburg. There was made the first settlement in our county with the exception of the Carter family near West Bend. Lot Laughlin's mother prepared the first meal of victuals in the new colony. During the season all secured land and built humble homes.

Fort Dodge was the nearest market. The new comers had to buy all of their supplies and dispose of their products at that place. The Irish families never had any difficulties with the Indians. At the time of the Spirit Lake massacre the Emmetsburg colony was not molested.

In 1862 Mr. Laughlin, in company with Joseph and Kern Mulroney, J. P. Crowley, P. R. Jackman and Fayette Carter of West Bend, joined the North Iowa brigade at Estherville -- an organization formed by the state for the protection of the early settlers from the Indians who had massacred many people near New Ulm, Minn. Capt. Ingham of Algona, father of Harvey Ingham of the Des Moines Register & Leader, was in charge of the company. The territory from Chain Lake, some distance from Armstrong, west to Spirit Lake and southwest as far as Cherokee had to be guarded. There were U. S. soldiers at Spirit Lake, but the members of the North Iowa brigade had to protect the posts at Estherville, Chain Lake, Cherokee and other places. The Estherville post was called Fort Defiance. Mr. Laughlin had an excellent picture of it in his home. The Emmetsburg soldiers served from August, 1862, until January, 1865. They were never obliged to come in contact with the red men.

Mr. Laughlin was married in the old Catholic church northwest of this city November 27, 1874, to Miss Rose Campion, Rev. J. J. Smith performing the ceremony. Four sons and three daughters, besides the mother, survive. They are Martin of Graettinger, William of Emmetsburg, Lot of Taylor, Texas, and P. J., who is employed in the Denver National bank of Denver, Colo. The daughters are Mrs. Wm. Kane and Misses Nellie and Rose of this city. Miss Nellie is assistant county superintendent and Miss Rose is a trained nurse.

There was perhaps no citizen of this section of Iowa who was better known in pioneer days or who was more highly respected during his residence of sixty years in the county than was Mr. Laughlin. He was modest and quiet and was as gentle as a child. He esteemed it a privilege to perform an act of kindness. Though he had well defined purposes and was ever loyal to them, he avoided bitter disputes and he was at all times on the best of terms with his neighbors and associates. For many years he was an employer of laborers. He invariably had the highest consideration for their rights and interests and many of them -- people of all nationalities and creeds -- who are now old, substantial and prosperous farmers of our county, recall with pride his fairness and his true sense of justice in his dealings with them. Mr. Laughlin enjoyed, during his long and active career, the sincere regard of those who had occasion to honor him during pioneer days. An old neighbor, Peter Peterson, remarked Monday, while in Emmetsburg, that a more upright, and deserving man than Mr. Laughlin never resided in our county. This is the sentiment of hundreds who knew him. He was hospitable to strangers and he would spare no reasonable effort to aid those who were in need of assistance or sympathy. His zeal for the welfare of members of his household was that of the thoughtful, provident, warm hearted parent. His four devoted, affectionate, upright sons and three loving, widely respected daughters will long remember, with enduring gratitude, all that he did for them that they might occupy positions of honor and trust in the busy world. The voice of religion never appealed to Mr. Laughlin in vain. He listened humbly and attentively to its wise counsels and he practiced obediently, conscientiously and reverently its necessary commandments and precepts. His modest professions as a Christian were backed by substantial and creditable deeds. He gave hearty support to his church, its various institutions and to other community undertakings that he deemed meritorious. His record in defense of his state and fellow pioneers, during the troublesome and trying days of 1862 to 1865, showed that he was willing to give his life, if need be, for the safety of others. The death of Mr. Laughlin will be generally and sincerely mourned. Mrs. Laughlin and the sons and daughters have the profound sympathy of the people of our county and of other sections in their bereavement.


 

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