"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a
compilation of this work....by a number of writers".  Chapman Publishing Co;
Chicago, 1903. p. 569.
 
BEDFORD H. LAUGHLIN

     of Forest Grove is a native son of Oregon, and was born on his father's
farm in Yamhill county, February 4, 1858.  His parents, William and Phoebe
(Roberts) Laughlin, are natives respectively of Missouri and Indiana, and his
grandfather, Samuel, was born in the state of North Carolina.  The latter
removed from North Carolina to Missouri in the ' 20's and in 1847 crossed the
plains with ox teams, locating on the claim in Yamhill county where the
remainder of his life was spent.  His son, William , was reared principally in
Missouri, and was seventeen years of age when the memorable trip was undertaken,
and he in time took up three hundred and twenty acres in North Yamhill, Yamhill
county, to which he has since added another large farm.  He served with
distinction in the Yakima Indian war of 1855-56, and has in many other ways
shown his deep interest in the affairs of his native state.  At present he is
living on his well improved property two miles west of North Yamhill, managing
both of his farms with an abundant degree of success.  His wife is a daughter of
Henry Roberts, who removed at an early day from Pennsylvania to Indiana, and who
crossed the plains in 1848, his daughter being at that time seven years of age.
Sixteen children were born to William and Phoebe Laughlin, and of these twelve
are still living, Bedford H. being the oldest of the family.
     After completing his education at the district schools and Tualatin
Academy, Mr. Laughlin engaged in business for a year in Forest Grove, and then
turned his attention to mining for several years.  At present he is one of the
best informed men in the county on mining affairs in general, he having
experienced all the ups and downs which harass the soul and delight the heart of
searchers after golden fortunes.  1883 found him in the Coeur d' Alene district
during the excitement, after which he went up into British Columbia, and in all
worked in the mines and at prospecting for five years.  During that time he
spent a couple of winters in Forest Grove, and after finishing in the mines
engaged in railroading with the Northern Pacific and the Oregon Railroad &
Navigation Company, principally in the freight department.
     In 1896 Mr. Laughlin renewed his association with mining, going to the
extreme north to Cook's Inlet, Alaska.  After spending the winter in Juneau he
availed himself of the promising conditions in the Klondike and started over the
Chilkoot Pass in March, 1897.  Going down the Yukon, he took up a claim on
American gulch, tributary to Bonanza creek, and in this enterprise was seconded
by two comrades who also took up claims in the same neighborhood.  The men
worked faithfully for three years, and realized considerable success, although
not sufficient to wish to devote the remainder of their lives to mining.  Mr.
Laughlin spent the winter of 1900-01 in North Yamhill, and in the spring of 1901
tried his luck in the Copper River country.  Returning to this town that fall he
bought a livery business which he built up and enlarged, and conducted a general
livery and transfer business until he disposed of the same in March, 1903.  Mr.
Laughlin was united in marriage in Forest Grove June 18, 1902, with Nora E.
Johnson, a native of Yamhill county, Ore., and a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca
Gallee.  Mr. Laughlin was made a Mason in Washington, and was identified with
Palouse Lodge No. 46, until his transfer to Holbrook Lodge No. 30, of Forest
Grove.  He is a member of the Republican party, but has never taken an active
interest in local affairs, or been willing to serve his party officially.  He is
a progressive, particularly well informed, and adaptive citizen, and his life
has been prolific of great good will and esteem on the part of his fellow
townsmen.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes:
 
This same biography also appears in:
"Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley, Oregon"
A compilation of work by a number of writers
Chapman Publishing Co.; 1903, page 221

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2007 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.