William McLaughlin was the brother of my second great grandfather, and the namesake of McLaughlin’s Squadron of Volunteer Cavalry. Like his brother Anthony, he changed the spelling of his name from McLoughlin to McLaughlin because it was politically astute. He came to the United States sometime around 1829-1830, as the story goes through Canada. He settled in Mansfield County. Anthony would latter settle in Galion County on the way to Mansfield.
William McLaughlin died in 1862 after the Battle of Middle Creek, which contributed to keeping Kentucky in the Union and forcing the Confederate forces to leave eastern Kentucky. It’s also the first major skirmish (few killed or wounded) that prepared the way for the invasion of Tennessee by Union forces. McLaughlin’s Squadron of Cavalry along with the 43rd Ohio Infantry were assigned picket duty and part of the reserve during the battle. They were involved in many skirmishes during and after the Battle of Middle Creek.