BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.

Pages 723-724.
 
HON. JOHN W. LAUGHLIN, one of Belmont county's most influential citizens and successful
farmers, was born in Washington, Guernsey Co., Ohio, 1837. He spent his boyhood days
on the farm attending the common schools, and prepared himself for the Miller academy,
which at that time had quite a reputation as an educational institution. In 1858 he
went to Jefferson college, at Cannonsburg, Penn., now known as Washington and Jefferson
college, and was graduated in the class of 1861. In January, 1862, he entered the army
in First Regiment Ohio cavalry, Company B, serving as a private, going through all the
privations incident to such a life, when he was made captain of Company K, First regiment
Ohio volunteers. For a while he commanded two companies as Gen. Howard's escort. After
serving three years and nine months, he was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio. In
November, 1865, Mr. Laughlin was married to Miss Maggie Cowden, a daughter of David and
Margery Cowden, who were natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Cowden had four children, two
of whom are living: Mrs. Laughlin, and one brother, W. N. Cowden, who was president of
the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, and is now secretary of the Ohio Wool Growers'
association. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin have had ten children, viz.: Emma E.; Thomas C., who
is at "Wooster University," and is studying for the ministry, he will finish the course
in June, 1892; David A. and Albert W., twins, who will be graduated at the Barnesville
high school in 1890; Anna, who died when quite young; James N., deceased; John C., Palmer
H., Leila J., Lester M. While living in Guernsey county, in the fall of 1873, he was
elected state senator by the democrats. In 1885 he was nominated for representative,
elected and served with such satisfaction to his constituents, that they wish to nominate
him for their next representative. Mr. Laughlin was appointed trustee of the children's
home by the county committee, and is a member of the Robert Hilles post, G. A. R., No.
220, and post commander of that lodge of Barnesville. Mr. Laughlin lives on a good farm
about one and one-half miles west of Barnesville. There are two good gas wells very near
his land and the indications are that any part of his farm may be gas producing. He owns
several other farms. He is interested in general farming and extensive stock-raising. Mr.
and Mrs. Laughlin are members of the Presbyterian church, he being an elder in that church.