James M. McLaughlin

Information about James M. McLaughlin (b. October 25, 1816, Ringowny, Parish of Edgeworthstown, County Longford, Ireland):

James McLaughlin’s obituary notice appeared in the Herkimer Democrat of Wed. 19 Apr 1905 as follows : “ Newport – James McLaughlin, of Newport, died at the home of his son, Michael McLaughlin, Saturday, aged about 90. He leaves one daughter, Mrs. Owen Drumm (Elizabeth McLaughlin) of Newport, and two sons; Michael and Maurice also of Newport. The funeral was Tuesday from St. John’s.”

An additional obituary appeared in the ‘Little Falls Times’ as follows : “ A GRAND OLD MAN AT REST - James McLaughlin, the oldest resident of Newport and one of the last surviving pioneer settlers of the town, died at the home of his son, Michael, on School St. Saturday night, April 15, aged 89. Mr. McLaughlin was born in County Longford, Ire., Oct. 25, 1816. He came to America when about 7 yrs. of age, and at that time it required thirteen weeks to make the voyage from Dublin to Quebec, then the principal landing point of foreigners in America. Soon after with his parents, he settled about two miles west of what is now the village of Newport. At that time this section of the county was nearly all a wilderness and we were told by the old gentleman only a few years ago that he could well remember when there were only about a dozen families in the settlement now known as Newport village. He said that in those days a dense forest extended up to the West Canada Creek, and there were no buildings on the west side until the settlement of log houses at Smokey Hollow was reached. When the settlers of his neighborhood came to Newport in those days they were obliged to ford the West Canada Creek in order to reach the hamlet, there being no bridge across the stream at that time. White Creek was then the business center of this locality, as on that stream was located the grist mills which ground the early settlers meal. He remained on the farm where he first settled until about ten years ago when, with his son, he came to live in this village. Being a man of up-right character, genial disposition and honest in all his dealings with his fellow men, Mr. McLaughlin was highly respected by all who knew him, and it can truthfully be said that his life was as honorable as it was long. He was a devout Catholic, and lived in accordance with the teachings of his faith as he understood them. The deceased is survived by four son, Michael and Maurice of this village, James of Montana and Thomas of California; also one sister, Mrs. Libbie Drumm (Elizabeth McLaughlin) of this village. Funeral services were held from his late home and from St. John’s Church Tuesday, Rev. F. J. Toolan, pastor of the church and one of the old gentleman’s dearest friends, officiating. In accordance with his request, his remains were laid at rest in the old Catholic cemetery on Newport hill, near his old home. A number of years ago, Mr. McLaughlin and a few other men of the neighborhood provided the cemetery, agreeing that when death overtook them, that their remains should be interred in it. Although many years have passed since that agreement was made, and Mr. McLaughlin was the last to die, he insisted that his word should not be broken and would not be persuaded to consent to burial in the Catholic cemetery at this village. This was characteristic of the man.”

The information above about James M. McLaughlin is very honorable and respectable for certain.  I think that it is pretty darn awesome myself and I feel very honored to be a descendant of this man.  He was my great-great-great (G3) grandfather.  I also need to thank Mr. Capes for pulling this information together.  Again, one of my favorite researchers' masterpiece - "The Descendants of Thomas McLaughlin" - comes through with more information than I could have hoped for.