F. D. LAUGHLIN - Dr. F. D. Laughlin, a retired dentist of Springfield, was born in Georgia, Vermont, in 1826. His grandfather, Samuel Laflin, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He bad come to America from the north of Ireland and was the owner of an extensive farm in Franklin county, Vermont. His son, Samuel Laflin, the Doctor's father, was born in the Green mountain state and died in Mitchell county, Iowa, in 1874. He was a mechanic, but spent his last days upon a farm. In his family were four sons: Lewis, who is residing in Osage, Iowa; Charles, of Madison, South Dakota; Austin, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and F. D., of this review. There is also one sister, Mrs. Martha Chapin, of Minnesota, who is now a widow.

During his boyhood F. D. Laughlin removed to St. Lawrence county, New York, where he was reared to the age of twenty years. He lived with an uncle, Daniel Austin, between the ages of eight and eighteen years, and attended the public schools until the latter age. In the succeeding winter he secured a position as a school teacher, receiving ten dollars per month and boarding around among the scholars. In the following year he entered an academy, but continued teaching in the winter months. In 1845 he went to Boston and there for a winter was employed as a teacher at Wilmington about fifteen miles from Boston. Turning his attention to other pursuits, he became foreman of a vegetable farm near Lowell, Massachusetts, and subsequently took up his abode in St. Lawrence county, New York, previous to the time that he became a dental student in Ogdensburg. He prepared for the profession under the direction of his uncle, John Austin, D. D. S., and afterward he removed to Canada, where he took the oath of allegiance, becoming a British subject. He had an office in Perth, Ottawa, then called Buytown, where he remained until 1866, or for a period of thirteen years. Returning then to the United States, he spent two winters in the south for the benefit of the health of his invalid wife and in 1867 he came to Springfield, opening a dental office on Fifth street, where he continued in active practice until 1896, when at the age of seventy years he retired from the profession and has since enjoyed a well earned rest, living quietly at his home at No. 220 North Amos avenue, where he has a commodious residence in the midst of five acres of land.

Dr. Laughlin was married in Depeyster, New York, on the 20th of September, 1855, to Miss Sarah Jane Wilson, who was born in Macomb, New York, in 1827. They have had no children of their own, but frequently have given assistance to children. Mrs. Laughlin was a daughter of John T. Wilson, who was born in Massachusetts and was a farmer by occupation. He wedded Sarah W. Mason, and both he and his wife died in Depeyster, New York, leaving two sons: Jesse B. Wilson, of that place; and Captain John L. Wilson, of Taco, Nebraska.

The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian church, but affiliates with the Methodist church and takes an active interest in Christian work. He is particularly helpful in mission work. In politics he is a Republican with Prohibition sympathies For eight years he served as a member of the board of aldermen of the village of West Springfield, and in everything pertaining to the public good the Doctor is interested, especially along the lines which tend to uplift humanity. His own career has been that of an honorable man, a loyal citizen, a devoted husband and a faithful friend. Although he has reached the age of seventy-seven years in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime and his is an old age which is a benediction to those around him, giving out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others.