McLaughlin - WIlliam
Source: 1881 Montgomery County In History of H. W. Beckwith, p 171 (Chicago: HH Hill)
McLAUGHLIN, William, farmer, Whitesville, was born April 6, 1829, on Sec. 22 and in the following June moved with his parents upon the farm he now resides on and owns. His father, James McLaughlin was born March 11, 1798 and is a native of Pa. He had, however, when a boy, emigrated with his parents to Hamilton County, Oh and settled upon a farm. Here he was constantly and busily engaged until he commenced learning the trade of a blacksmith, which, owing to poor health, he followed only a short time, when he began work as a farm hand, to which his entire attention was turned until his emigration to the Hoosier State in 1826.
Mr. McLaughlin had previously visited Montgomery County and "spied out the land," on foot. He returned to Ohio and soon made a permanent location, first entering the 80 acres now owned by David H. DAVIDSON and occupied by Tillman HOWARD. After coming to this county. he was employed by William BUBRRIDGE for some months and also by Thomas LAMSON. He, however, entered land in the S 1/2 Sec 23, upon which his son William now lives. This tract of land he cleared and in 1829 built the 19 x 21 house still standing and occupied, and in 1843 erected the second, where he died June 13, 1878 and was buried at Finley chapel, a universally respected and esteemed citizen.
June 19, 1828 he was married in Union Twp to Jane BRENTON, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Brenton. She died Sept. 9, 1848 and was buried at the same place as her husband. They were the parents of but one child, William, who has during the whole of his life lived upon the homestead, working in partnership with his father until his death, at which time he obtained complete control of the property. He now is in possession of a farm of 280 acres of well improved and good tillable land. Mr. McLaughlin received such an education at the district school as a diligent student might acquire in those pioneer days. This has been supplemented by extensive reading, both in history, biography and general reading matter. He is a democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce in 1852. - typed by kbz