Riley Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Lewis Laflin
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
LEWIS LAFLIN is one of Leonardville's retired business men and an honorable, upright citizen, who enjoys the fullest confidence and respect of his fellow-townsmen. He was born in Springfield, Vt., the 20th of June, 1835, and is a son of Lewis and Rosella Laflin. Lewis Laflin, Sr., was born in Paris, France, and when only a small lad came with his father to America. They accompanied Gen. Lafayette, and upon their arrival settled in Springfield, Vt. Lewis grew to maturity in that place, and resided there many years after his marriage, but when our subject was a child the father removed to St. Albans, in the same State, in which place he died in 1837. He was a farmer by occupation, and followed that pursuit through life. A member of the Catholic Church, he was devout and conscientious in regard to his religious life, and in his dealings with his fellowmen. Opportunities for amassing fortunes were not so plentiful in those days, but Mr. Laflin succeeded in providing a fair living for his family, but never became wealthy. Rosella, his wife, was born in Quebec, Canada, and passed from the stage of earthly existence in St. Albans, in 1860. She bore him eight children, named respectively: Edward, Peter, Abigail, John, Olive, Celia, Mary and Lewis.
Lewis Laflin, the one of whom we write, is the youngest of these children. He was reared on a farm and educated at St. Albans. During his youth he followed the plow and became a practical farmer. In the year 1854 he went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and secured an engagement as an engineer, which be pursued until 1857, in which year he went to the Territory of Kansas, but shortly afterward left and started East. He stopped at St. Joseph Mo., and engaged as an engineer on a steamboat plying on the Missouri River. He continued in that occupation until 1860, when he engaged in farming until 1862, and then went to Clay County, Kan., and took up a homestead on the Republican River. In 1863 he enlisted in the army as n private, but was soon afterward promoted to Corporal, and in that capacity served to the close of the war. His field of service lay in Missouri, Arkansas and Dakota. His record as a soldier is highly honorable, and his comrades in arms can bear witness to his repeated acts of gallantry, which frequently won for him words of praise from his superior officers.
Peace having been established, Mr. Laflin returned to Clay County, Kan., and "turning his sword into a plowshare," began to till the soil, and also raise stock for the market. He followed the dual occupation of farming and stock-raising until 1883, when he removed to Leonardville and engaged in the mercantile business. He built up a large and extensive trade, and continued to follow the business until 1888, when he sold out and retired from the cares of active life. During his business career he made man.y warm friends by his liberal and fail dealing, and their good wishes go with him as he lays aside the duties of business and devotes himself to the enjoyment of his well-earned repose. At the first election of town officers for Leonardville he was elected Mayor, and was re-elected the following year. He owns a fine farm on sections 9 and 4 of Grant Township. He commenced life as a poor man, and has been the architect of his own fortune, which is a very good one. The I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 222, of Leonardville, numbers him among its members, and the Republican party counts upon his vote and influence.
The marriage of Mr. Laflin and Miss Ester A. Phelps took place on the 6th of July, 1860, and has since proved to be a true union of heart and hand. Mrs. Laflin is a daughter of Almon and Matilda (Rugg) Phelps. natives of New York, and Connecticut. Mrs. Laflin was born in Battle Creek, Mich., Jan. 23, 1844, and resided at the time of her marriage in Doniphan County, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Laflin have had nine children born to them, named respectively: Norman A., Milton F., Rosella, Nettie, Nellie, Lewis, William, Eddie, and Delos. Rosella, Nettie, Nellie and Lewis are deceased.