Volume 14 , Issue 13

Obituary of Judge Wm. McLaughlin (1898 Virginia)

The top of stone marker (on the left) in Old Lebanon cemetery that we had in last week's OkieLegacy Ezine reads "McLaughlin." The image on the right is the front of that same stone marker.

Judge Wm. McLaughlin (son of Edward and Jane Irwin/Ervin/Erwin), born Jan. 6, 1828; died Aug. 18, 1898, Lieut Col. of Artillery CSA . . . . ." Fannie Mays & Wm McLaughlin stone reads as follows: "Fannie M., wife of Judge Wm McLaughlin, Nov. 9, 1835 - Oct. 25, 1908. William McLaughlin."

Obituary of Judge Wm McLaughlin

Click news clipping to read Judge Wm McLaughlin Obit (pdf) and be sure to look at the other clippings in that news clippings, which showed a depressing time period. The obituary for "Judge McLaughlin Dead" reads as follows, "The Noted Jurist Dies From the Effects of a Carbuncle."

It goes on to state a "Sketch of his Life" with the following, "Judge McLaughlin was a son of Edward I. McLaughlin and Elizabeth Nesbitt. He was born December 27, 1827, and reared at Bell's Valley near Goshen. He was the youngest of ten children and was the last of his immediate family. His youth was spent on his father's farm and in assisting his father as county surveyor. He graduated from Washington College, now Washington and Lee University, in 1850, taking the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and studied law at the famous law school of Judge Brockenbrough. He afterwards began the practice of his profession in Lexington in partnership with John D. Sterrett. At the outbreak of the civil war he entered the Confederate army as a lieutenant in the Rockbridge Artillery, of which the late Beneral W. N. Pendleton was captain. he was subsequently appointed a major of artillery and served in the Valley with General Jubal A. Early. Before the close of the war he had been promoted to be lieutenant-colonel. His battalion took an active part in the battle of New Market, and especially distinguished itself.

"After the surrender he returned to Lexington and resumed the practice of law and succeeded in building up a lucrative business. He was a member of the post-bellum Virginia Constitutional Convention and was a member of the House of Delegates from Rockbridge for one term, closing in 1870. Subsequently he was elected Circuit Judge for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in which capacity he served to the time of his death. From 1872 to 1874 he was judge of the Special Court of Appeals composed of Judges Barton, Wingfield and McLaughlin. He was elected a trustee of Washington College in 1865, and in 1888 he was made rector of the Board of Trustees of the University to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Francis T. Anderson. He was an active member of Lee-Jackson Camp of Confederate Veteran, of this place, and always manifested the greatest interest in the Camp. "Judge McLaughlin was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and he was proud of the fact. To that strain was due the ruggedness of his character. He was a man of commanding presence and distinguished for a memory of extraordinary power. An accurate and painstaking lawyer and judge, he accomplished an immense amount of business with ease. He was a devoted friend of Washington and Lee University, and was remarkable for his love for his native county of Rockbridge. He was for years chairman of the county Finance committee and to his efforts and ability we are indebted for the good showing of the county's financial condition. Judge McLaughlin was twice married, his first wife being Miss Sallie Mays, daughter of Hon. Thomas Mays, of Montgomery, Ala. She died in 1884. In 1887 he married Mrs. Fannie Coffman, of Harrisonburg, daughter of the late Jacob Bear, formerly of Lexington, who survives him."   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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