James Frances McLaughlin

McLaughlin, James Frances, one of Toronto's prominent general grain and flour dealers, was born at Mono Mills, in the County of Cardwell, on May 1st, 1852. His father, who was one of the worthiest and most highly respected inhabitants of Cardwell, came to Canada in 1830, and settled at Mono Mills, for this latter name came to be applied in consequence of the existence of Mr. McLaughlin's mill. The subject of our sketch received the best education that could be obtained at Mono Mills; and when he had attained his fifteenth year, he left school and began to learn the business of milling in his father's employ. But he was a young man of altogether unusual energy, capacity and ambition. This is well proven by the fact, that when be reached his twentieth year he bought his father out, undertook himself the management of the mills, and simultaneously conducted a general store. It is not often that a young man of twenty as much as this can be said. This double and extensive business Mr. McLaughlin managed with marked ability and success till 1881, when a desire, which he had had for some time, to go to Toronto, prevailed. In the Queen City he saw an opening for a succe5sful grain and flour business; and in such manner he established himself there. He did not let his hold upon the profitable, and now historic, Mono Mills go, but, still carries them on in conjunction with his business in grain and flour. It is hardly necessary to say that the success which attended Mr. McLaughlin’s early exertions has not been denied to him in his new and larger sphere. For the greater part his time and attention are absorbed by his large and growing business, nevertheless he has paid much attention to politics in his day. He contested Cardwell with Thomas White, (now Minister of the Interior), in 1882, and though he was not successful, he polled the largest vote ever given to a, liberal candidate in that constituency. Our subject has travelled much, and in his travels he has kept his eyes observantly open. He married, September, 1883, lsabella Small, who had formerly resided at Mono Mills. By this union he has had one child. Mr. McLaughlin is a Roman catholic. He is extremely genial, and very agreeable in manner.