JOHN BERGIN VAUGHN

VAUGHN, JONES, MASON, DAVIS, WALTER, BARTON, MCCRAY, LAUGHLIN, JAMISON

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/7/2009 at 19:20:50

JOHN BERGIN VAUGHN, one of the early settlers of Louisa County, and an honored citizen, now deceased, was born in Harrison County, Ky., March 17, 1810, and was a son of Isaac Vaughn. His father served as a soldier during the War of 1812, and in after years became a minister of the Baptist Church. He wedded Margaret Jones, a native of Maryland, and when our subject was eight years of age removed with his family to Washington County, Ind., where John grew to manhood, and resided there until 1826 when he removed to Bartholomew County. In the fall of 1833 he was united in marriage with Miss Deborah Mason, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Mason, of New Jersey, who emigrated to Indiana in 1828. She was one of a family of twelve children, of whom three are yet living: Reuben, a resident of Clarinda, Page Co. Iowa; and Sarah A., widow of Robert Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Mason died in Bartholomew County, Ind. He was in early life a member of the Methodist Church, but a few years prior to his death joined the Christian Church.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn began their domestic life in Johnson County, Ind., where they continued to reside until 1842, when they emigrated to Iowa, settling in Des Moines County, where they made their home on a farm for nine years. Selling out in 1851, they removed to a farm on section 27, Morning Sun Township, where Mrs. Vaughn is still living. There was a little log cabin situated upon the land, and into this the family moved, braving all the trials and privations of pioneer life that they might make a home. With an energy which characterized all his work through life, Mr. Vaughn began to clear the land, and in a short time had his farm all under cultivation. At the time of his death he owned 240 acres of fine land, thus leaving his family in comfortable circumstances. At the time of their arrival Mr. Vaughn was obliged to go to Skunk River to mill, and often several days were required in making the trip. Bands of Indians were scattered all over the country, and the nearest neighbors were miles away. Pork at that time sold for $1.25 per hundred pounds, wheat brought but thirty-seven and one-half cents per bushel in Burlington, and then had to be taken out in trade. Times were hard, advantages few, and money so scarce that enough could hardly be obtained to pay taxes, but at length success crowned the persevering efforts of our pioneer, and his labors brought their reward.

To. Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn was born a family of thirteen children, nine of whom reached maturity: Jeremiah died in 1880; Mary E. is the wife of Columbus McCray, a resident of this county; Margaret became the wife of Jefferson Laughlin, and after his death married Apollos Laughlin, but both are now deceased; Hannah E., wife of John Barton, died in Union County, Iowa; Rachel is the wife of John Jamison, of this county; Isaac, who now sleeps in a soldier's grave on a Southern battlefield, was killed by a gunshot through his lungs by a guerrilla, and died near Memphis, Tenn.; William J. is now deceased; Aurelia wedded George Munson, of Louisa County; Jesse became the husband of Maggie Walter, and is living in this county; four children died in infancy.

In the mouth of March, 1885, after over half a century of happy married life, Mr. Vaughn was called to his final home. Honest, straightforward and just in all his dealings, he won the confidence of everyone with whom business or pleasure brought him in contact, and all were his well-wishers. His widow is still living on the old homestead, but her life work is nearly ended, and she is patiently wait-
Source: Portrait and Biogrphical album 1885