BIO: J. Malcolm LAURIE, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  443

  J. MALCOLM LAURIE, an enterprising and deservedly successful young 
business man of Bellefonte, was born January 19, 1871, in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania.
  As his name suggests, his ancestors trod the heather hills of "Auld 
Scotia," and he possesses in a marked degree the shrewd practical mind 
which is characteristic of the Scotch race. His father, the late John 
Laurie, was born in Scotland in 1834, coming to America when a young 
man, and was married in San Francisco, Cal., to Miss Mary Connor, now 
deceased. He was a traveling salesman for some time. Before the war he 
was engaged in the cotton trade in the South, but left that occupation 
in 1860 and went to California. In 1868 he made his home in Bridgeton, 
N. J., and became interested in the Cohansey Glass Company in that 
city. While in that business he made two trips through South America. 
To John and Mary Laurie six children were born: William, now residing 
at Colorado Springs, Colo.; Miss Mary Laurie, who lives in Glasgow, 
Scotland; Helen, the wife of Blythe Wilke, of Glasgow, Scotland; and J. 
Malcolm, of this sketch. Annie and Jennie died in infancy.
  The first years of our subject's life were spent in New Jersey, but 
as his parents died during his boyhood he was taken into the home of an 
uncle in Bellefonte, Rev. William Laurie, D.D., a well-known 
Presbyterian clergyman. His education was continued at the Bellefonte 
Academy, and on completing his course there he worked for four years as 
a bookkeeper in Bellefonte. In 1893 he established the Bellefonte Steam 
Laundry, of which he has made a decided success, and in 1895 he erected 
a building specially designed for his business, the formal opening 
taking place July 18 of that year. Mr. Laurie is not married, and is 
prominent socially as a member of the Bellefonte Club. He also belongs 
to the Presbyterian Church, and his high character has won the esteem 
and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.