John W. Laughlin Biography This biography appears on pages 1447-1448 in "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. JOHN W. LAUGHLIN, sheriff of Hughes county, and also deputy United States marshal, was born in the vicinity of Mount Pulaski, Logan county, Illinois, on the 2d of January, 1860, and is a son of Robert H. and Susie (Jackson) Laughlin, the former of whom was born in Union county, Ohio, and the latter in Illinois. The Laughlin family have made an enviable record for loyalty and patriotism since its founding in America in the latter portion of the sixteenth century. The original progenitor in the new world was Patrick Laughlin, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, who came to America on a French vessel in 1597, landing in St. Augustine, Florida, and the subject of this sketch has a complete record of all his descendants down to the present time, the work having been carefully and admirably compiled by one of said lineal descendants. The paternal great-grandfather of Sheriff Laughlin was a valiant soldier in the Continental line during the war of the Revolution, having been with Washington at Valley Forge, and his son John C., who was born in Pennsylvania, was the grandfather of the subject and was an active participant in the war of 1812. Three of the latter's sons ably upheld the military prestige of the family during the Civil war, and one of the number was the father of Sheriff Laughlin. It should be noted in the connection that said Robert H. Laughlin was the first man to enlist in Logan county, Illinois, after the outbreak of the Rebellion. He became a member of Company H, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for three years and six months. He became a prosperous farmer of Logan county. John W. Laughlin was reared on the old homestead farm in Logan county, Illinois, and secured his early education in the public schools. He continued to be associated in the management of the home place until 1883, when he cast in his lot with the pioneers of Hughes county, South Dakota. He took up government land in Byron township, and there passed the first seven years of his residence in the state, improving the property and being still the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres. Upon leaving his ranch he removed to the village of Blunt, where he became identified with the raising and training of high- grade horses, having owned some of the best standard-bred stock in this section of the state. In May, 1898, at the time of the organization of the well-known regiment designated as Grigsby's Rough Riders, he enlisted as a member of Troop E, and was mustered into the United States service as second lieutenant, while later he was promoted first lieutenant. His command proceeded to Chickamauga Park, where it remained for four and one-half months, its services not being demanded in the active military operations of the war with Spain. A previously published article has said of Mr. Laughlin in the connection that upon receiving his commission as first lieutenant he "Honored the office by uncomplaining, intelligent and loyal service at a time when sickness, hardship and dull routine best tested the soldier's mettle." Concerning his official service in Hughes county we cannot do better than to quote farther from the same appreciative article published in the Weekly Capital Journal of February 20, 1902: "The fact that Mr. Laughlin was elected to the office of sheriff in 1900 an office most hotly contested in both primary and general elections — is proof of the capacity and worth which secured his appointment as deputy United States marshal in 1901, and testifies to the respect in which his large circle of acquaintances hold him as an honorable, capable and courageous man. Socially he is a good fellow and politically he is an unswerving Republican who will work days and sit up nights to further the interests of his party, which he helps by pulling instead of kicking." Mr. Laughlin is a Master Mason and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Sons of Veterans. On the 7th of April, 1887, Mr. Laughlin was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Dickey, who was born in Indiana, being a representative of staunch old Kentucky stock. She is a lady of culture and gracious presence, was graduated in the high school of Greensburg, Indiana, and in the Northern Indiana Normal School, in Valparaiso, while in 1892 she was elected county superintendent of schools for Hughes county, South Dakota, giving a most capable administration and remaining incumbent of the office for four years. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin have one son, Robert Virgil.