LAUGHLIN VAN METER



LAUGHLIN VAN METER, one of the enterprising young citizens of Missaukee County, is editor and publisher of the Missaukee Republican of Lake City. Though he has only been connected with this journal for about eight months, his ability has been well manifested, for the owner is a practical printer and is fully abreast of the times.

John Van Meter, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Ontario, Canada many years ago, when in middle life. His family numbered three sons and three daughters. Among these was Ira, father of our subject. He was likewise born in the Keystone State, and has been a life-long agriculturist His wife, formerly Jeanette McBain, was born in Ontario Her father, Laughlin McBain, a native of  the same province, was of Scotch parentage, and  was a farmer. In the War of 1812 he was in the  British service, and was also a British volunteer  during the French Rebellion in Lower Canada. His death occurred at the age of eighty-four years.

Ira Van Meter came to Michigan in 1869, locating in Missaukee County, where he took up a tract of one hundred and sixty-acres and also purchased another farm. His home is now on a farm of eighty acres, lying on section 16, Riverside Township. He held many local offices, and was elected first Treasurer of the county on its organization but resigned. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and for many years he has occupied offices in the congregation. Of his five sons and five daughters, all but two are living, and are named as follows: Henry; Anna, Mrs. John Frazier, of Carson City, Mich; Caroline, Mrs. John Cavanaugh, of Missaukee County; William; Margaret, wife of R. J. Porter, of Port Huron; John; Laughlin; and Etta, Mrs. Isaac Burket.

The birth of our subject occurred in Clyde, Ontario, on the 13th of September, 1863. From his seventh year he was reared on a farm in this county. When he reached his majority he went to attend the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., and subsequently took a commercial course at Brookville,  Pa. An opportunity offering, he accepted a position as stenographer in Cadillac and afterward was for eighteen months engaged in office work in Marquette. Learning of forfeited railroad lands
in Houghton County, he went there and took up a pre-emption claim, on which he remained about two years.

In 1890 our subject embarked in the newspaper business, and, going to McBain, started the Chronicle, which he ran successfully for four years. In July, 1894, he sold the paper and in the following month came to Lake City. He purchased the Republican plant of its former proprietor, W. E. Morris, and has since conducted this popular and widely circulated newspaper. Besides owning his business plant, Mr. Van Meter owns other property in McBain and elsewhere, and is a young man of good financial ability. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally is identified with the Masonic and Knights of the Maccabees organizations.

November 3 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Laughlin Van Meter and Sadie, daughter of James and Sarah (McMullen) Mateer. Three children have come to bless the union of the young couple, namely: I. Morton, Carl and Flora.

 Copied from - Biographical Record of Northern Michigan, Chicago Record Publishing Co., 1895.

 

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