Bridget Agnes (Creaghan) McLaughlin (1832 - 1931)

Born 1 Jul 1832 in County Galway, Ireland

Wife of James McLaughlin — married 19 Feb 1857 in Madison, Indiana

Descendants

Died 9 Jan 1931 at age 98 in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, United States

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Biography

Bridget had a sister, Mrs F E Ferguson, who lived in Chicago, and would occasionally visit the McLaughlins in Jackson County, accompanied by her brother, Mark Creaghan. ^[1]

The 1930 census has her still living, in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, at age 97.

She is buried in an unmarked grave in Sechlerville Cemetery in Hixton, Wisconsin, while her husband is buried in Jefferson County, Indiana.

A reference to her 98th birthday party listed a Mrs. E F Ferguson as an attendee. ^[2] It is speculated that this could have been the wife of Elmer Ferguson.

From Find A Grave:

Birth: Jul. 1, 1832 County Galway, Ireland Death: Jan. 9, 1931 Whitehall Trempealeau County Wisconsin, USA

Married James McLaughlin 19 Feb 1857, Jefferson Co., IN

Long Life Span Ends

The death of Mrs. Bridget McLaughlin in her 99th year removed one of the most remarkable persons form our community. Mrs. McLaughlin enjoyed a lifetime of good health and during the declining years of her life she spent her time assisting with household duties, doing needlework, and reading without even the aid of glasses. Up to New Year's day she was in her usual health but was taken ill and suffered an attack of pneumonia, from which she passed peacefully away January 9, aged 98 years, six months and eight days.

Bridget Creaghan was a native of Galway county, Ireland. Her date of birth was July 1, 1832. She was one of a family of 11 children, nine daughters and two sons. Her family belonged to the common people of Ireland so when she reached the age of at which she was able to work, it was necessary for her to seek employment. At that time many of her countrymen were coming to American and she having cousins living at Madison, Ind., decided to come to the U.S., which was considered the promised land across the sea. At the age of 17 years she departed for her new home. It took strong determination on her part to leave family ties and her native land and come to a new country alone. She arrived at Madison, Ind., in 1849, where she secured employed at $1.25 a week. Her savings from this meager income were sent home to her parents to assist them in caring for her younger brothers and sisters.

It was at Madison that she met James McLaughlin and later they were united in marriage. The young couple followed farming as an occupation near that city for several years. They then moved to Taylor, Jackson County, Wis., where they bought an 80-acre farm and resided on it for many years. Eight children were born to them in that home. When the children had reached maturity and Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin had come to the age when they decided that farm labor was too strenuous for them, they sold their farm, in 1899, to their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gibson and the elderly couple returned to their former home at Madison. There they lived a peaceful happy life for a period of five years, when Mr. McLaughlin was claimed by death. Mrs. McLaughlin then returned to the home of her daughter on the old farm near Taylor and years later moved with them to their present home east of Whitehall where she spent her remaining life.

When a representative of the Times called on Grandma McLaughlin a few days after friends had gathered to honor her on her 96th birthday anniversary, she remarked, "It doesn't seem long to look back to the days that I spent in my native home in Ireland, but I sometimes wonder why I should live so long." Mrs. McLaughlin was an alert, intelligent and jovial sort of person which is so characteristic of her race. She encountered all the hardships that were common among the pioneers, reared a large family with limited means, but yet she enjoyed much happiness throughout her life, and was blessed with good health and clear mentality until her life came to a close.

Mrs. McLaughlin is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Joseph Gibson, and a son, William of Hartford, this state. They, together with many grandchildren and great grandchildren and a large circle of friends mourn her death.

Funeral services were held Monday, January 12, at Alma Center. Rev. Father Biernsner of that place conducted the rites. Her body was laid to rest in the family lot in the Sechlerville cemetery.

Among relatives from away who attended the funeral were her son William and family of Hartford and Mrs. E. F. Ferguson, a niece from Chicago. ^[3]

"GRANDMA" McLAUGHLIN DIES AT WHITEHALL

Mrs. James (Grandma) McLaughlin passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joe Gibson, near Whitehall, on Friday morning, January 9. Death was due to pneumonia.

"Grandma" McLaughlin (nee Bridget Creaghan) as she was known to many residents of Jackson and Trempealeau counties, came to America at the age of 15 years, and settled in Indiana.

In 1850, she was married to James McLaughlin. The continued their residence in Indiana until about 45 years ago, when they moved to Jackson county, settling on a farm near Taylor, Wisconsin.

Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin raised a family of eight children, six of whom preceded Mrs. McLaughlin in death.

They sold their farm near Taylor to their daughter, Mrs. Joe Gibson, and 1900, and removed to Madison, Ind., where they made their home until Mr. McLaughlin's death in 1905. After her husband's death, "Grandma" McLaughlin returned to Taylor to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Joe Gibson.

It was some time later that the Gibsons sold out at Taylor, and moved to Kendall. One year later they again "pulled stakes", and brought "Granma" McLaughlin to Alma Center. They purchased the Ormsby farm (now owned by Mr. Rubenbauer) and resided there for above five years. They also made their residence in the city for about five years. In the ten years residence here, Mrs. McLaughlin and the Gibsons made a host of friends.

Their next move was to a farm near Whitehall, where Mrs. McLaughlin made her home up the to the time of her death.

Mrs. McLaughlin was a busy woman during her entire life. Her friends tell of her keen eyesight in that she had never worn glasses. Last summer at the age of 98 years she showed her visitors a few quilts she had made. The quality of the work showed that she was very handy with the needle. ^[4]

Spouse: James McLoughlin (1839 - 1904)

Children: Mary Elizabeth McLaughlin Schmidt (1862 - 1922) William Joseph McLaughlin (1875 - 1942)

Burial: Sechlerville Cemetery Jackson County Wisconsin, USA ^[5]

Bridget may have had a brother named Martin, born about 1830, and married to Mary Kilroy in 1850. ^{[6] [7]}

Sources

1. ↑ Badger State Banner, July 28, 1910, p 2
2. ↑ Banner Journal, Black River Falls, Wisconsin, July 23, 1930, p 2
3. ↑ Thursday, 22 Jan 1931, The Whitehall Times, Whitehall, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin
4. ↑ Alma Center News, January 1931
5. ↑ Created by: Karen Phillips, Record added: May 23, 2014 , Find A Grave Memorial# 130216699
6. ↑ United States Census, 1860, Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana
7. ↑ "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2725-VQP : 10 February 2018), H Dupontavico in entry for Martin Crahan and Mary Kilroy, 16 Jun 1850; citing Jefferson, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004263803

See also:

• Family notes gathered by Verna Mulry