An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company,
Spokane, WA. 1905, pages 386-387.

ROBERT A. LAUGHLIN is certainly entitled to be classed as one of the earliest
pioneers of this country and also as one of the most substantial builders of it.
He is now residing three miles west, some south, from Wapinitia, and there owns
a fine estate of eight hundred acres of choice land. The same is well provided
with improvements and Mr. Laughlin devotes his attention to general farming and
stock raising. He is a man of influence in the community, has an excellent
standing and is entitled to the encomiums and respect which he is accorded by
all who know him.      

Robert A. Laughlin was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, on April 19, 1846, the
son of Alfred and Lucy (Kent) Laughlin, natives of Missouri. The father's
parents were born in Virginia and descended from Scotch ancestry. The mother was
of Pennsylvania Dutch stock and died in Missouri, in 1864. In Missouri our
subject secured his education and there remained until 1865, when accompanied by
his father, step-mother and the balance of the family, he came west, with ox
teams, encountering much hardship en route. Settlement was made in Yamhill
county and there he remained until 1872, when he came to Juniper flat and took
land. He is the only one of the few settlers of that time who now remains. He
took land by the government rights and then bought until his estate is of the
proportions mentioned. Mr. Laughlin is now handling the farm and stock largely
in partnership with his son, Fred G., who is one of the capable and leading
young men of the vicinity. They winter about seventy-five cattle each year, sell
about forty to fifty hogs and have some horses. The place is well handled and is
one of the valuable estates of the county.      

Here on the farm, on December 5, 1876, Mr. Laughlin married Miss Sallie J.
Magill, a native of Missouri. Her parents were also born in that state. The
father, Caleb Magill, died in California, on July 4, 1902, and is buried here.
On October 12, 1887, here at the family home, Mrs. Laughlin was called away by
death. She had been a good and noble woman and left many friends. The following
named children were left with the devoted husband to mourn the departure of the
beloved mother and wife: Fred G., on the farm with his father; Claud W., with
W.H. Davis; Ralph R., at The Dalles; Kate M., wife of Alonzo Amen, at Wapinitia;
May, wife of Henry Trowbridge, a stockman in Grant county; and Gertrude,
unmarried and at home. Mr. Laughlin has one brother, John S., and two sisters,
Mrs. Catherine Wright, and Mrs. Ellen Clark. Mrs. Laughlin had one brother,
David.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. 
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.