Born in Barboursville,
Knox County, Kentucky, in 1821; his father, Thomas Laughlin, was then
Sheriff of that county. He afterward resided in Whitney County, and about
the year 1827 removed to what was then known as the "Hiwasee Purchase," in
Tennessee, and settled in Monroe, now London County. Here the subject of
this sketch was principally raised. He graduated at East Tennessee
University in 1844, taught school several years, and in 1848 emigrated to
Missouri. Married Mary E. Porter of Jackson County, in 1849, and took up his
residence in Mercer County. In 1854, crossed the plains with ox-teams and
settled and improved a farm on Cooper's El Molino grant, where he remained
until 1860 when it was taken from him. He then located in Mendocino
Township, where he at present resides; owns six hundred acres of land and
has two children, Mary Ann Eliza, born in 1850, married Jasper McCracken in
1867; and Emily Elzira, born in 1854.
Source: "History of Sonoma County, Cal.," Alley,
Bowen & Co., San Francisco, 1880, p. 508.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, July, 2007.
Born in Morgan County,
Tennessee, February 5, 1821, where he resided until fourteen years of age,
when he emigrated with his parents to Murray County, Georgia, where he was
educated. When twenty-two years of age he took up his residence in Newton
County, Missouri, where he remained seven years. In 1849 he emigrated across
the plains, being six months on the route. This was the year that the
cholera made such sad havoc with emigrants, when scores of them perished.
Mr. Laymance endured many hardships in making the trip, but was one of the
fortunate ones who escaped the terrible epidemic. He assisted in burying
many of his comrades, sometimes as many as four or five in one grave. After
arriving in California, and as soon as he recuperated from his perilous
journey, he commenced mining on the Feather River, where he continued until
1851, when he returned to Missouri. In 1852, accompanied by his family, he
again set out for California, recrossing the plains. This trip was
accompanied with less hardships than the former one, and after due length of
time he arrived and settled upon his present ranch, consisting of one
hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides. He married, September 6,
1844, Miss Susan Miller. She was born in North Carolina January 24, 1829. By
this union they have seven living children: Francis M., born November 28,
1845; Isabella, born February 16, 1834; George E., born February 13, 1859;
Henry J., born March 20, 1861; Sarah A., born January 19, 1867; David R.,
born September 24, 1869; Charity L., born July 29, 1871; and four deceased
as follows: Thomas J., born August 17, 1848, and died February 27, 1864; W.
M., born January 20, 1853, and died February 8, 1853; James R., born May 10,
1856, and died February 28, 1875; John C., born October 29, 1863, and died
December 16, 1877.
Source: "History of Sonoma County, Cal.," Alley,
Bowen & Co., San Francisco, 1880, p.509.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, July, 2007.