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
