Westmoreland County PA Archives Biographies.....Laughlin, Joseph March 20, 1840

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JOSEPH W. LAUGHLIN, one of the most progressive and intelligent farmers of the
county, was born in Derry township, Westmoreland county, Pa., March 20, 1840,
and is a son of Isaac and Martha (Walton) Laughlin. The Laughlin line is Irish
in its descent. James Laughlin (grandfather) was a native of this country and
lived many years in Westmoreland county, where he died. By trade he was a
blacksmith and followed his trade many years in Derry township. He had eight
children, of whom Isaac Laughlin was one. The latter was born in Derry township,
January 25, 1807, where he was brought up on a farm. Part of his life he devoted
to farming, but he had formerly been a wagoner, boatman and contractor on the
New Portage railroad. At one time he was interested in a distillery at Bouquet,
Penn township. He died January 5, 1889. His  brother Abraham enlisted in the
army during the late war and went to the front but never returned. He is
supposed to have been lost in an engagement at Nashville, Tenn. Isaac Laughlin
had six children: James P., Mary, Joseph W., Martha J., Isaac and Margaret E.,
of whom the eldest and the youngest are dead. Mary is the wife of Alex. McBride,
formerly of this county, but now of Indiana county. Isaac is a prosperous farmer
of Derry township.

   Jos. W. Laughlin was reared in the solitude of the country, where the
warbling birds, sparkling brooks, clustering blossoms, majestic groves and all
the beauties of nature conspire to make life a “sweet dream of peace.”
Unfortunately, however, boys on a farm are not given much time to enjoy or even
observe the beautiful and wonderful things around them. “Work” is the watchword
there, and from spring till fall the farmer does more hard labor than any other
man in existence. Young Laughlin had his share of work to do, but took time
enough to get a fair education at the public and select schools of the county.
He began life for himself as a farmer and is yet engaged in husbandry, owning a
good and finely-improved farm in Derry township, which is a part of one thousand
acres purchased from the Indians for an old rifle. The improvements and
arrangements to be seen everywhere on his premises are excellent and show
remarkable taste, indicating that the beauties of nature have made an impress on
the minds of the family. Mr. Laughlin has served several years as school
director, is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and a stanch and influential
democrat.

   Joseph W. Laughlin was married December 17, 1863, to Elizabeth, a daughter of
Joshua Anderson. of Derry township. Her grandfather, John Anderson, of Irish
origin, was a native of Lancaster county and came to this county at a very early
date, locating in Derry township, where Joshua Anderson was born April 25, 1810,
and died November 27,1883.

   Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Laughlin are the parents of two children: Annie M. and
Tirzah E.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from
Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Compiled and Published by John M. Gresham & Co.
Samuel T. Wiley, Chief Assistant
1890


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