Lacrosse County WI Archives Biographies.....Vaughan, John J. April 19, 1826 - 
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Roxanne Munns rmunns@uwalumni.com May 15, 2007, 9:44 pm

Author: Unknown

REV. JOHN J. VAUGHAN, Pastor of the Baptist Church of Bangor, was born in 
Llanunchllyn, Merionethshire, North Wales, April 19, 1826; he emigrated with 
his parents to the United States in the spring of 1831, and settled at Remsen, 
Oneida Co., N. Y.; he received a common-school education in Remsen, and 
afterwards took a partial course in the Whitestown Seminary, near Utica, N. Y. 
He remained at home with his father, working on a farm, till he was 17 years 
old; then he spent several years in learning the carpenter's trade; he took a 
course of instruction in the science of architecture and in the art of 
drawing, under Prof. A. B. Stone and the late A. J. Lathrop, of Utica, N. Y. 
At the close of his studies, he passed an examination, and received a diploma 
from the above-named gentlemen; he was engaged in manufacturing lumber for 
several years; he has followed the business of house-building for a large 
portion of time during a period of thirty-five years. His parents were members 
of the Congregational Church at Steuben, N. Y. His mother died April 13, 1841, 
and his father died Feb. 5, 1854. He commenced preaching with the M. E. Church 
at Remsen, in the winter of 1863. After the lapse of a few years, he left that 
church, not from any ill feeling toward any of the brethren, but for the 
following reason: Early in the summer of 1863, he was drawn into the baptismal 
controversy, which led him to a careful study, and a patient investigation of 
the doctrine of Christian baptism. The result was his former views and belief 
upon that subject were changed; he became a Baptist in sentiment. On the 11th 
of October, 1874, he was baptized by Rev. Wm. T. Bunker, and became a member 
of the Baptist Church at Bangor. The church employed him to preach, and on the 
22d of March, 1877, he was ordained, and settled as a Pastor of the Baptist 
Church of Bangor, and continues to serve in that office to the present time. 
In September, 1877, he entered the Baptist Union Theological Seminary, 
Chicago, Ill., where he pursued a special course in theology, which he intends 
to complete during the next ensuing year. He came to Wisconsin in the fall of 
1865, and settled at Bangor, where he has since resided, variously employed as 
a preacher, house builder and school teacher. On the 25th day of December, 
1867, he was married to Miss May A. Thomas, of Steuben, Oneida Co., N. Y.; she 
was born in Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1841; they have had three 
children; two are now living - one daughter, named Jennie, born Sept. 24, 
1868, and one son, named Richard Miner, born Aug. 28, 1870; the youngest child 
was born Sept. 18, 1873, and died Oct. 5, 1873. After a few years of happy 
union, his beloved wife died, at Bangor, Sept. 27, 1873, and was taken to 
Oneida Co., N. Y., for burial. In 1860, he was elected Supervisor of the town 
of Remsen, Oneida Co., N. Y., and in 1861 was re-elected to the same office; 
he performed the duties of that office in a satisfactory manner. In 1871, he 
was elected Justice of the Peace at Bangor, Wis., and served but one term. 
Perhaps one of the most noted things in the history of the subject of this 
sketch, is the fact that he has been a common-school teacher for a long period 
of years, both in New York State and in Wisconsin. He has taught twenty-three 
winters; eight of the above number he has taught in District No. 2, Bangor. He 
received, August 12, 1865, a State certificate from the late Hon. V. M. Rice, 
who was then State Superintendent of Public Instruction in New York State. 
Among the thrilling reminiscences of his past life, there is none, perhaps, 
which will touch his feelings any more than some of those incidents that 
occurred in connection with his experience as a school teacher. At several 
different times during his past life, he has experienced severe reverses and 
sore disappointments in business matters which blasted his most cherished 
plans and hopes. But amid all trials and troubles he has endeavored to 
exemplify those good principles which he has taught and inculcated in the 
school-room and from the pulpit, regarding the building up and preserving good 
character, as one of the dearest, highest and noblest objects to be attained 
in the present life.

Additional Comments:
From "History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin", 1881, p. 837.

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