Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 201 - 202

ANDREW LAUCHLAND, who departed this life on the 19th of June, 1887, was one of the early pioneers of the northwestern part of Sedgwick County, locating in Eagle Township when there were but a few settlers south of the Arkansas River, among them Messrs. Manamee, Brown, Rutledge and a few others.  In common with the men about him he labored through hardships and difficulties in subduing the soil, and built the comfortable homestead on section 30 which is now the abiding-place of his family.

      Mr. Lauchland was a native of Scotland, and born about 1840.  He spent his youthful years near his childhood's home, where he learned the trade of shoemaker, and followed this for some time after coming to the United States.  His first arrival in this State was in 1870.  He had followed his trade in Kansas City for one year, and had also purchased property there, but not being quite satisfied with the outlook came to this county, remained for a time in Greeley Township, and then took up his abode in Eagle, where he spent the remainder of his life.

      The marriage of Andrew Lauchland and Miss Jessie McConochie was celebrated in Ayrshire on the 27th of April, 1865.  Mrs. L. was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, March 10, 1839, and is the daughter of John and Janet (Miller) McConochie, who were also of Scotch birth and parentage.  Her father was a ship master and followed the sea until his death, which occurred on the Atlantic when he was but thirty-nine years of age.  The mother survived her husband many years, her death taking place at her home in Scotland in 1871, when she was fifty-two years old. She was a lady greatly respected by her friends, and a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church since her girlhood.

      The parents of Mrs. Lauchland reared three children, one son and two daughters, of whom the son and one daughter, John and Maggie, died when between fourteen and fifteen years of age, so that Mrs. L. is now the only surviving member of the family.  Of her marriage with our subject there were born seven children, all but one now living, namely: William, Maggie, Andrew, Jessie Jane, Mary Emma and James Archibald.  One is deceased, Hugh M.  William is attending the Southwestern Business College, at Wichita, where he purposes fitting himself probably for mercantile life.  The other children are at home with their mother.

      Mrs. Lauchland was reared by her parents, and was first married to Robert Symm about 1861.  Mr. S. was an engineer by occupation, and they became the parents of three sons: John, and two who were named  William, and who both died in early infancy.  John married Miss Celia Overall, and is engaged as a butcher in Huchinson, this State.  The other sons are assisting their mother in carrying on the farm, which is largely devoted to cattle-raising.

      Mr. Lauchland, both on account of his natural business capacities and integrity of character, became one of the leading men of his township, filling the various local offices, was Township Clerk, Treasurer and School Director, and a Deacon of the Congregational Church in Greeley Township from the time the  society was organized until his death.  He was also a Trustee and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and took a deep interest in religious matters as well as local affairs.  He voted the straight Republican ticket, and was at all times willing to labor and make sacrifices both for the good of his church and the community at large.

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