Showing posts with label GAR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GAR. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

John W. Mclaughlin

JOHN W. McLAUGHLIN, farmer and stock-raiser, living on section 30, Decatur Township, was born in Marion County, Ohio, April 24, 1840, he being the youngest in a family of six children.  His father was a native of Virginia, and was married in Ohio to Catherine Dunbar, a native of Pennsylvania.  He died in Delaware County, Ohio, in May, 1852, aged forty-eight years.  When our subject was fourteen years of age, in 1854, the mother came with her family to Decatur County, and made her home in Bloomington Township.  She is still living, her home being near the home of our subject.  John W. McLaughlin remained with his mother till 1862, when, August 15 of that year, he enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry.  His first engagement was at Chickasaw Bluffs, under General Sherman, in December, 1862, after which he was in line at the capture of Arkansas Post, participating in that campaign which culminated in the surrender of Vicksburg.  He then went with his corps, the Thirteenth, to the Louisiana department, and was soon after incapacitated from duty by sickness, spending several weeks in hospital and convalescent camp at Factory Press, New Orleans.  He rejoined his regiment December 25, 1863, at Mattagorda Island, near Galveston, Texas.  During the Red River campaign his corps reinforced General Banks at Alexandria, and in Banks' disastrous retreat served as guard of property and baggage.  During the closing scenes of the war Mr. McLaughlin participated in the capture of Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan, at Mobile, Alabama, and was in line at the storming of Fort Blakely, at Mobile, Alabama.  He served gallantly and faithfully as a soldier till August 15, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge, and is now a member of Decatur Post, No. 410, G. A. R.  Returning to Decatur County he was married October 19, 1865, to Mary E. Woodmansee, of Decatur Township, where her parents, James W. and Rachel Woodmansee, reside.  They have four children living — Ettie G., Ann Laura, James W. and Reuben.  Their third child, John, died aged two years.  In December, 1865, Mr. McLaughlin bought 108 acres of his present farm, in Decatur Township, forty-five acres being broken, on which was erected a comfortable residence.  He soon commenced the improvement of his land, and has since added to it till his farm now contains 215 acres of upland, meadow and timber land, making one of the best stock farms in Decatur Township, his farm being watered by Grand River.  In politics Mr. McLaughlin has been identified with the Greenback party, since its organization.  He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.  He is a member of Decatur Lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A.M., and of Decatur Lodge, No. 102, I.O.O.F.

SOURCE: “Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa,” p. 554

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Lyman Forgrave

LYMAN FORGAVE, contractor and builder at Leon, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, July 10, 1844, son of John and Harriet (Gordon) Forgrave, natives of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living – Andrew Perry; Louisa, wife of William Turner, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Robert, a resident of California; Harriet, wife of Minor Wightman; John, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, this State; Albert and Lyman. In 1862, Mr. Forgrave enlisted as drummer in Band Four, Fifteenth Army Corps, and was mustered out July 7, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He resided in Chicago for a time, where he built the Silver Smelting Works for the Swansy Smelting Company. He also built the court-house in Leon. He was married June 18, 1872, to Nannie, daughter of Judge Lorenzo H. and Mary A. (Wartenbe) Sales, natives of Ohio, who came to Decatur county in 1856, where they still reside. Their three children are – Lewis C., Frank R. and Mrs. Forgrave. Mr. and Mrs. Forgrave have four children – Harry S., Robert L., Leslie L. and Paul L. Mr. Forgrave owns a fine brick residence and a brick business block opposite the postoffice. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masonic fraternity, and of the Knights Templar.

SOURCE: “Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa,” p. 548-9