West Virginia is the youngest state of the American Union east of Indiana, having been formed from the Old Dominion--the "Mother of Presidents"--and admitted as a full member of the sisterhood of states June 20, 1865--the dismemberment of the of the old state of Virginia being one of the earliest political results of the Civil war. In the valley or at the foot of the romantic range of the Alleghany mountains which mark the present dividing line of the two states on the east, some two or three years after the state was admitted the subject of this sketch had his nativity in Pocahontas county, which, as every schoolboy knows, was named after the historic and heroic Indian princess who preserved the life of one of Virginia's early English colonists, Captain John Smith, from the unreasonable malice of her father, Powhatan.
Jacob A. McLaughlin was born August 18, 1866, in Pocahontas county, as has been intimated above, and is a son of WIlliam J. and Susan E. (Bible) McLaughlin, the former of whom died in his native state of West Virginian, November 27, 1887, and the latter of whom still survives in that state. Of their family of four children the subject of this sketch is the third in the order of birth and was reared on the home farm, which he assisted in tilling until his marriage which felicitous event took place in Pocahontas county, W. Va., October 14, 1888, to Miss Sarh H. Gibson, who was born in that county on January 10, 1863, and who is a daughter of William and Polly F. (Gay) Gibson, the former of whom died January 21, 1901, and the latter still having her home in West Virginia. Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, which consisted of nine children, Mrs. MLaughlin was one of the younger born, and under the genign and health-giving atmosphere of her native hills and valleys grew to maturity as a perfect specimen of lovely womanhood.
In the spring of 1889, almost ere the bridal wreath had wilted, Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin left their West Virginia home and sought a new abode in Noble county, Ind. They found a suitable farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres in Orange township, on which they settled and which they still occupy. This farm is improved with a handsome residence and well-constructed barns and other farm buildings, and is a very desirable homestead. Mr. McLaughlin, although still a comparatively young man, is experienced in the vocation of farming and keeps his place in an excellent condition of tillage and succeeds in producing some of the best crops in the township.
While but a short time a resident of Noble county, Mr. McLaughlin has evinced a keen and commendable interest in local public affairs, and has manifested a desire to aid in every way the promotion of the general welfare. In politics a Republican, he freely advocates the principles of his party and aids it in every legitimate manner, but is not offensively forward in thrusting his conviction upon the notice of others, and he accords to every one the right to think for himself. In religion he and his wife adhere to the Presbyterian faith, are conscientious in following the techings of their church, and socially they have secured through their affability many warm-hearted friends.
Alford's History of Noble County, Indiana, by Samuel E. Alvord, (c) 1902, pp. 152-161.
Transcribed by Denise Wells, May 2014