Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 946 - 947

GEORGE HAMILTON LAUGHLIN, A. M., LL. D., Professor of Ancient Languages at Garfield University, Wichita, Kan., is one of the most prominent educators of this State. He was born Dec. 28, 1838, at Quincy, Ill., and is the third of a family of eight sons. His father, Simon Laughlin, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., and his mother, whose maiden name was Kemp, in Harrison County, Ky. His paternal ancestors were English; his maternal, Scotch and German. Through the former he is related to President Madison. The latter, in their loyalty to the infant Republic, experienced some of the hardships incident to the Revolution.

             Prof. Laughlin's early training was received in Illinois, and his first educational opportunities were somewhat limited. The public school system, as yet, had done little for the "Great West." Schoolhouses were few, and he received his elementary instruction at home. His father, being a public-spirited man, and wishing the welfare of the whole community, as well as that of his family, erected a school-house at his own expense. There young George attended for several years, until, becoming anxious for better advantages, he entered Berean College, located at Jacksonville, Ill., in 1857. Becoming dissatisfied with that institution, he left it to enter Abingdon College, Abingdon, Knox Co., Ill., where he remained four years as a student, and graduated with the highest honors of his class, delivering the Greek salutatory. His inclination on graduation was toward the legal profession, but through the advice of his parents, for whom he always had the most sacred filial regard, he turned his attention to teaching and preaching. For more than a quarter of a century he has steadily and successfully pursued this twofold work, regarding teaching as his profession, and preaching as an avocation.

             The first three years of Prof. Laughlin's public career were spent in the common schools of Illinois. During the next eight years he was Principal of the Ralls County Academy, New London, Mo., five years of this time filling the office of County Superintendent of Public Schools. In 1874 he was called to fill the Chair of Ancient Languages in Oskaloosa College, Oskaloosa, Iowa. After holding this position seven years with great acceptance, he was elected President of that institution; at the same time he was elected Professor of Ancient Languages in Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, and was also offered the Presidency of Christian College, Columbia, Ky. With these three offers before him, he decided to accept the Presidency of that institution with which he had been so long connected. After a successful term of two years, he resigned, to accept the Presidency of Hiram College, Portage County, Ohio. This position he held for four years with admirable success, having won the approval of the friends and patrons of the college, and the high regard of the students. He has given much attention to the public school system, writing for educational journals, either as editor or correspondent, lecturing on educational themes, and teaching in Normal Institutes during summer vacations. He is of a metaphysical turn of mind.

             As a minister, Prof. Laughlin is a decided nonsectarian, and as a public speaker, he is regarded as very successful. In writing he is logical and concise, using pure diction, and possessing a style clear and forcible as well as oratorical. He has been connected with the Christian Church twenty-eight years. In 1868 he became identified with the Masonic fraternity, of which he is still a member, and in which he has held important positions. However, he has never allowed Masonry to interfere with his professional duties. He was for a time President of the Central Book Concern, a publishing-house and book store in Oskaloosa, Iowa. In politics he is a Republican, although he has sometimes voted for men in other parties.

             August 21, 1862, our subject was married to Debbie J. Ross, of Princeton, Ill., who has proved to be a devoted wife and helpmate. Ten children have been born of this union, nine of whom are living, five sons and four daughters. Mrs. Laughlin is a graduate of Abingdon College, and possesses superior qualifications and intellectual powers. In addition to her household duties and cares, Mrs. Laughlin has found time to write for the religious press, her most valuable contribution being a prize essay on "Life's Practical Duties," published in 1876. She has also taken great interest in missions, and has delivered several addresses in their behalf.

             Nimrod Dickinson Laughlin, President Laughlin's eldest son, was graduated at Hiram College in June, 1886, with the degree of A. B. He is now professor of Greek and German in a Kentucky institution. Laura Rebecca Laughlin, the eldest daughter, was graduated from Hiram College, in 1887, with the degree of Ph. B. She is teaching in the Wichita public schools.

             One of the conditions upon which Mr. Laughlin accepted the Presidency of Hiram College, was, that its facilities for instruction should be increased. For two years he kept before the Trustees, the patrons and the students, the question as to the need of better and larger buildings at Hiram, his policy being that the institution could not make a substantial growth without having enlarged appliances. Through his Western enthusiasm and persistence, vigorous measures were taken by the Trustees for the erection of a large and substantial college edifice, to be completed before the close of the year 1886. No addition more valuable than this has ever been made to the property of Hiram College. Prof. Laughlin's studious life and painstaking care of such educational trusts as have been under his management, have shown him to be a ripe scholar and a wise administrator.

             Prof. Laughlin has five brothers living, viz: Charles H. Laughlin, of New Canton, Ill.; Frank Laughlin and John R. Laughlin, of Kansas City, Mo.; Thomas B. Laughlin, of Quincy, Ill.; and Mark W. Laughlin, of Monroe City, Mo. Charles and Mark are farmers; Frank and John are mechanics; Thomas is in the Postal Service, having served the Government in that capacity with great acceptance during the last twenty-five years. Prof. Laughlin's mother, now seventy years old, is living at Quincy, Ill., which has been her home for fifty years. She is a faithful member of the Christian Church, and is held in high esteem by all who know her.

            In 1887 Prof. Laughlin was called to the Chair of Ancient Languages in Garfield University, a position for which his critical scholarship and large experience as a teacher eminently fit him. He has received several literary degrees in recognition of his work as an educator. The degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by Abingdon College, in 1865; that of LL. D., by Eureka College, in 1886; and that of F. S. Sc., by the Society of Science, Letters and Art, of London, England, in 1888. He is a member of the American Institute of Civics, and advocates the teaching of civics, both in the public schools and colleges.

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