Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Rennin J. Laughlin

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Rennin J. Laughlin, son of William and Mary Laughlin, was born in 
Caldwell County, Ky., April 3, 1840. His grandfather, Anthony 
Laughlin, was a native of Dungannon. Ireland, and immigrated to 
Charleston, S. C., in 1782, where he married Mary Gill, and in 1803 
moved to Kentucky, and there reared a large family. His son William 
was born in Charleston, S. C., in 1795, and from the age of seven 
years was reared on a farm. While a lad he learned the tanner's and 
currier's trade. He was a fine musician, and as a fifer volunteered in 
Capt. Dodd's company, Maj. Wadlington's battalion, Kentucky 
Volunteers, in the War of 1812, and got to New Orleans in time to take 
part in that memorable battle, and the fife that called the troops 
into action on that morning is now in [p.858] possession of his son 
Reuben. At the close of that war he returned to Caldwell County, sunk 
a tan-yard, and carried on that business in connection with a shoe and
harness shop for over fifty years. He was married twice, his first 
wife being Winifred Margraves, who was also a native of Charleston, S. 
C., and died in 1819. He married Miss Mary Greer in Hopkinsville, Ky., 
in 1821. She was born in Alabama in 1805. They were the parents of 
three children: Abner G., Sarah and Reuben Johnson. They lived to a 
good old age, and died, he in 1876, she in 1879. Their youngest son. 
Reuben. after completing his education and working with his brother, 
who was a watchmaker, went to Louisville and finished his trade. He 
enlisted in December, 1861, in J. K. Huey's company, afterward Company 
A, First Kentucky Cavalry, Confederate States Army, and was in the 
engagements at Fort Donelson, Perryville, Murfreesborough and many 
severe skirmishes. After he was discharged he went back to Kentucky, 
and married Miss Phebe A. Herrin, daughter of A. J. and Isabella E. 
(Harralson), of Providence, Webster County, and engaged in general 
merchandising and stemming tobacco in Nebo until 1878, when he went to 
Louisville and opened a commission warehouse; his health failing in 
1881, he came to Bentonville, and has been merchandising until the 
fall of 1887, when he sold out, and has since then been devoting his 
entire time to his trade, keeping a fine stock of clocks, watches, 
jewelry, silverware, etc. He has three children: William A., Robert E. 
and Phoebe. He is a Mason, and has taken all the degrees of the 
Ancient York rite, is Past Grand High Priest of Kentucky, and at 
present (1888) Worshipful Master of Lodge and High Priest of the 
chapter. In politics he is a Democrat. He and family are members of 
the Christian Church.