MUSCOGEE COUNTY, GA - OBITS Charles Franklin McLaughlin and son,Charles Franklin McLaughlin, Jr Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Carla Miles grmiles1@bellsouth.net Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/muscogee.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm The Columbus Enquirer Thursday, April 11, 1940 Judge McLaughlin Is Fatally Stricken At His Home Here Funeral Services For Able Jurist Will Be Held Friday Judge Charles Franklin McLaughlin, of the Chattahoochee Circuit Superior Courts, able lawyer and recognized as one of the outstanding jurists of Georgia, died unexpectedly at his home, 1510 Dinglewood, Wednesday night at 9:40 o’clock. Funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 4 o’clock at St. Paul Methodist Church with the Rev. Kenneth H. MacGregor, pastor, assisted by Rev. Frederick S. Porter, pastor of First Baptist Church, and Rev. G.N. Rainey, superintendent of the Columbus district of the Methodist conference, officiating. Judge McLaughlin was at his office at the courthouse here Wednesday morning and until about 1 o’clock in the afternoon and in conversation with officials and friends seemed in the best of spirits. He spent the afternoon at his farm in Talbot County, returning to his home here about 5:30 o’clock and seemed then as well as usual, but became ill a few minutes later and died at the hour stated. His death was due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Some five years ago Judge McLaughlin underwent a major operation at the city hospital and at times since his condition was known by intimate friends to be none too good, but during the past month his general health seemed especially good notwithstanding his court duties had been heavy and exacting of his time and study. First as solicitor general of the circuit and as judge the deceased had been connected with the local circuit Superior Courts of Muscogee, Marion, Chattahoochee, Taylor, Talbot and Harris Counties for around 25 years, with the exception of some two years when he retired from the office of solicitor general to re-engage in the private practice of law. He loved his works with the courts of the several counties from which he had several times declined to sever himself, when urged by friends to become a candidate for congress from this district or for governor of Georgia. He was frequently called upon to preside over courts in Atlanta and other sections of the state and several times as supply jurist in the state Supreme Court and was generally well known throughout Georgia. Native of Meriwether Born in Greenville, Meriwether County, Georgia, March 21, 1882, Judge McLaughlin attended Greenville High School, and the University of Georgia and he was graduated from the Mercer Law School. After leaving the state university, Judge McLaughlin returned to his Greenville home and studied law in the office of his father, the late Benjamin Franklin McLaughlin, for a year. He then attended Mercer and was admitted to the bar in 1904. He began the practice of law in Hamilton, Ga., in September, 1904. He became Solicitor of the City Court of Hamilton in April of 1905 and served in that office until January of 1909, when he resigned and moved to Columbus. He began the practice of law here in the office of the late Judge William A. Little. In 1912 Judge McLaughlin and Thomas H. Shanks formed a law firm, the name of which was McLaughlin and Shanks. Solicitor General In 1916 he was elected Solicitor General of the Chattahoochee circuit. He carried every county by large majorities. Judge McLaughlin made a splendid record as prosecuting attorney and was re-elected for a four-year term in 1920. He resigned the office of Solicitor General in December of 1922 and reentered the private practice of law, forming a partnership with Judge Frank D. Foley, the name of which was McLaughlin and Foley. It was while he was engaged in the private practice of law that many friends all over the circuit urged him to run for the judgeship. He became a candidate and was elected in 1924, taking office January 1, 1925. He was re-elected three times and was serving his sixteenth year as judge at the time of his death. His term would have expired January 1. It was known that he would have been a candidate for re- election. Splendid Record As Jurist As a prosecuting attorney and as a judge, he served with great distinction. He was one of the most learned jurists in Georgia and made an exceptionally good record on the bench. It was not infrequent that he was requested to preside in other circuits and the manner in which he handled the affairs of court brought him high praise wherever he went. Judge McLaughlin a number of times was urged to make the race for congress, his friends being especially insistent in 1917 when Congressman W.C. Adamson resigned, but he preferred to remain here and serve the people of the Chattahoochee circuit. Married To Miss Mobley Judge McLaughlin was married to Miss Lotilla Mobley of Hamilton, December 12, 1906. To his union two children were born. They are: Charles Franklin McLaughlin, Jr. of Washington, D.C. and Miss Evelyn Loaine McLaughlin, of Columbus. Judge McLaughlin’s wife and daughter were at his bedside when the end came. His son was notified immediately after the judge became ill and he departed from Washington at once in his automobile. He was expected to arrive late today or tonight. Judge McLaughlin is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. Evelyn McGehee, of Columbus, Mrs. W.R. Jones, of Atlanta, and Mrs. H.H. Revill, of Greenville, and a brother, L.H. McLaughlin, of Greenville, and several nieces and nephews, included J.O. McGehee of Columbus, a practicing attorney. He was a son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Eliza Hamby McLaughlin of Meriwether County. His father was one of the best known lawyers in West Georgia for many years. Popular Public Official Judge McLaughlin was a Mason, an Elk, a member of the Sigma Nu social fraternity, president of the Georgia Glee club and a member of the Knights of Phythias. He was one of the most popular public officials in the state and numbered his friends by his acquaintances. His friends on learning of his death were greatly shocked and grieved. He was at his office at the courthouse Wednesday morning and even after he returned from his farm in the late afternoon a number of friends saw him in the city. The judge was an active member of the St. Paul Methodist Church, being chairman of the board of stewards at the time of his death. Active pallbearers will be Early H. Johnson, James B. Key, Robert M. Arnold, J. Edgar Chancellor, Hubert Calhoun, R.O. Perkins, William Worsley, Frank D. Foley and E.W. Swift, Sr. Honorary pallbearers: Frank G. Lumpkin, Sr., Bentley H. Chappell, Judge Charles W. Worrill, Stewart Fleming, J.T. Ellis, Willis Battle, W.H. Young, Jr., Gen Asa L. Singleton, J.W. Woodruff, Sr., Dr. Guy Dillard, Dr. A.N. Dykes, Dr. Bert Tillery, Roy Swope, Harbin Park, Edwin Page, Dr. Nat Oattis, H. Dixon Smith, Theo G. Reeves and Felton Clements. ==================== The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Thursday, August 2, 1990 Charles Frank McLaughlin Charles Frank McLaughlin, 80, of 1922 Preston Drive, Columbus, died Wednesday at St. Francis Hospital. A private graveside funeral will be Friday, according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus. Mr. McLaughlin was born September 2, 1909 in Columbus, son of Judge C. Frank McLaughlin and Lotilla Mobley McLaughlin. He retired as an attorney for the federal government. He was a member of First Baptist Church and the Country Club of Columbus. Survivors include his wife Mable; a sister, Loaine Snyder of Columbus; and two stepsons, Andrew Shepherd Mullin of Columbus and Albert Lawton Mullin of Atlanta. In lieu of flowers donations may go to First Baptist Church.