Son of Levi and Elizabeth Catherine (Conrad) McLaughlin, married Mary Delnora Adams, father of John L. and Linnie Rothernia. Brother of Susan Adeline, Nancy, Augusta Martha, Jennie, Elizabeth, Lyde Bonar and William J. McLaughlin.
Mansf. Cem. Book p.400, lists cause of death as "killed by cars", buried next to his son

obituary: McLaughlin, John -- Daily Shield, April 7. Sudden and awful death overtook John McLaughlin, a P.F. section hand at 9:30 o'clock this morning. In company with the other members of Foreman Arnold's gang McLaughlin went to work this morning on the track, a short distance south of Toledo Junction, six miles north of the city. At that point the main line lay double-tracked, designated respectively as the north and south tracks, the latter describing a sharp bend to the west. The men were engaged upon the north track when the first section of west bound fright No. 75 approached and they were obliged to vacate. McLaughlin stepped upon the south track and the smoke of the engine of No. 75 filled the cut so that it was difficult to see any distance. Suddenly the first section of east-bound freight No. 72 was observed at the bend running at a high rate of speed. The doomed man saw the engine, but before he could get out of reach he was caught and thrown a considerable distance against a bank, death being instantaneous. No. 72 was stopped and the remains brought to this city and placed in the union depot. Coroner Maglott was notified and upon examination of the body, found a number of frightful injuries. Both legs were broken above the knees and also the back. There was a fracture of the left side of the skull in addition to other injuries. The deceased, who is about 28 years of age, has a wife and two children and resides on North Diamond near Johns Street. The wife was at once notified of the sad accident. Mr. McLaughlin was a brother-in-law of Fireman Doss Bell and came from the country, about five and a half miles south of this city, where his parents reside. Coroner Maglott stated that he would hold no inquest. [Richland Shield & Banner: 08 April 1893]