My Genealogy Hound

Reuben J. Laughlin, son of William and Mary Laughlin, was born in Caldwell County, Ky., April 8, 1840. His grandfather, Anthony Laughlin, was a native of Dungannon, Ireland, and immigrated to Charleston, S.C. in 1782, where he married Mary Gill, and in 1803 moved to Kentucky, and there reared a large family. His son William was born in Charleston, S. C., in 1795, and from the age of seven years was reared on a farm. While a lad he learned the tanner’s and currier’s trade. He was a fine musician, and as a fifer volunteered in Capt. Dodd’s company, Maj. Wadlington’s battalion, Kentucky Volunteers, in the War of 1812, and got to New Orleans in time to take part in that memorable battle, and the fife that called the troops into action on that morning is now in possession of his son Reuben. At the close of that war he returned to Caldwell County, sunk a tan-yard, and carried on that business in connection with a shoe and harness shop for over fifty years. He was married twice, his first wife being Winifred Margraves, who was also a native of Charleston, S. C., and died in 1819. He married Miss Mary Greer in Hopkinsville, Ky., in 1821. She was born in Alabama in 1805. They were the parents of three children: Abner G., Sarah and Reuben Johnson. The lived to a good old age, and died, he in 1876, she in 1879. Their youngest son, Reuben, after completing his education and working with his brother, who was a watchmaker, went to Louisville and finished his trade. He enlisted in December, 1861, in J. K. Huey’s company, afterward Company A, First Kentucky Cavalry, Confederate States Army and was in the engagements at Fort Donelson, Perryville, Murfreesborough and many severe skirmishes. After he was discharged he went back to Kentucky, and married Miss Phebe A. Herrin, daughter of A. J. and Isabella E. (Harralson), of Providence, Webster County, and engaged in general merchandising and stemming tobacco in Nebo until 1878, when he went to Louisville and opened a commission warehouse; his health failing in 1881, he came to Bentonville, and has been merchandising until the fall of 1887, when he sold out and has since then been devoting his entire time to his trade, keeping a fine stock of clocks, watches, jewelry, silverware, etc. He has three children: William A., Robert E. and Phoebe. He is a Mason, and has taken all the degrees of the Ancient York rite, is Past Grand High Priest of Kentucky, and at present (1888) Worshipful Master of Lodge and High Priest of the chapter. In politics he is a Democrat. He and family are members of the Christian Church.