John Wesley Laughlin Biography


	This biography appears on pages 374-375 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JOHN WESLEY LAUGHLIN.  

	John Wesley Laughlin, who retired from the office of deputy 
United States marshal of South Dakota in May, 1914, has since devoted 
his attention to his real-estate business and personal investments, 
including farm property. He lives in Pierre and is a man of wide 
acquaintance in the state, enjoying the respect and goodwill of all who 
know him. He was born in Mount Pulaski, Illinois, January 2, 1860, and 
is a representative of one of the old American families and one of the 
fourteenth generation of Laughlins in a direct line. Those of the name 
have for several generations figured in the wars of the nation. James 
Laughlin, the great-grandfather of John Wesley Laughlin, was one of the 
heroes of the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject are Robert 
H. and Susan (Jackson) Laughlin, still residents of Mount Pulaski, 
Illinois. The latter, a native of Logan county, Illinois, is a daughter 
of James Jackson, a cousin of Andrew Jackson. Robert H. Laughlin was 
the first to enlist in Mount Pulaski, Illinois, when Abraham Lincoln 
issued a call for volunteers for service in the Civil war. At the close 
of his first enlistment he was honorably discharged, but when the 
second call for troops was issued he immediately responded and remained 
in the service until the close of hostilities. When the Union men were 
ordered from Bolivar, Tennessee, to Holly Springs with one hundred 
rounds of ammunition the flag bearer was sick. After several calls for 
a volunteer to carry the flag Mr. Laughlin responded and also at 
Vicksburg he again carried the colors. 

	His son, John Wesley Laughlin, was reared upon the home farm in 
Illinois, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the 
soil and caring for the crops. He attended the public schools but when 
not busy with his textbooks worked in the fields. He came to South 
Dakota in March, 1883, to enjoy the agricultural opportunities offered 
in this state. He preempted a claim in Byron township, Hughes county, 
where he spent seven years, bringing much of his land under 
cultivation. He afterward removed to Blunt, where he engaged in raising 
and training horses, owning some of the best trotting stock to be found 
in this part of the country but the alarm of war again sounded and with 
the patriotic spirit of his forebears he offered his service for active 
duty with Grigsby's Rough Riders in the Spanish-Ameriean war and v as 
commissioned first lieutenant, rendering uncomplaining, intelligent and 
loyal service at a time when sickness, hardships and dull routine 
tested the soldiers' mettle. He went to the front as a member of Troop 
E, Third United States Volunteer Cavalry, being mustered in on the 15th 
of May, 1898. Three days later he was promoted to the rank of first 
lieutenant and was mustered out with that command on the 8th of 
September following. He was an efficient officer, maintaining strict 
discipline, yet was very popular with the boys. The regiment was known 
as Grigsby's Rough Riders, having as its members many farmers and 
stockmen of South Dakota. The organizer of the regiment was Colonel 
Melvin Grigsby, who at that time was attorney general of the state.  

	After being mustered out Mr. Laughlin returned to his home at 
Blunt, South Dakota, and in 1900 he was elected to the office of 
sheriff of Hughes county. There was a hot contest at both the primary 
and general elections, Mr. Laughlin being the winning man. After 
serving from 1901 until January, 1905, he retired, but in November, 
1908, was again elected and in November, 1910, was reelected, serving 
for four years. The Free Press said: "He is a heavy taxpayer and as an 
officer and civilian his conduct has always been above reproach and his 
word is ace high even with his political enemies; he has none other." 
The capability and worth which he displayed as sheriff of Hughes county 
led to his appointment to the position of deputy United States marshal 
in 1901 and he filled that position most acceptably for thirteen years, 
serving until May, 1914, since which time he has devoted his attention 
to his real-estate business and personal investments, including farming 
property. During the past six years Mr. Laughlin has also been 
president of the South Dakota Sheriffs Association.  

	Fraternally Mr. Laughlin is a Mason, Knight of Pythias, an Odd 
Fellow, a United Workman and one of the Sons of Veterans. Socially he 
is popular, winning friends wherever he goes. In politics he is a 
stalwart republican, doing everything in his power to advance the 
interests of his party. In politics, as in business, he has always 
believed in constructive rather than in destructive measures and he 
seeks to annihilate anything that may be wrong by introducing that 
which is acknowledged to be for the public good. For three decades he 
has been a resident of South Dakota and throughout the entire period 
has labored earnestly and persistently for the welfare and progress Of 
the community and of the state and he is justly accounted one of the 
popular and highly respected residents of the capital city.  

On the 7th of April, 1887, Mr. Laughlin was united in marriage to 
Miss Lizzie Dickey, a native of Greensburg, Indiana. Their son, Robert 
Virgil, born February 10, 1892, was graduated from the University of 
South Dakota in 1914 and is now a practicing attorney of Pierre.