Laughlin Alphonsus Martin was born 28 Jul 1828 in St. John's, New Brunswick, Canada. His parents, Charles and Anne (Ferry) Martin emigrated from Ireland just before this time. By 1832, the family migrated from New Brunswick, Canada into Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Laughlin went onto Western Iowa in the Spring of 1851 with brothers Daniel and John. Laughlin married Catherine Elizabeth Dolan at St Donatus in Dubuque County, Iowa on 19 September 1861.
Laughlin and Catherine's descendants included John, Mary, Catherine, Charles, Alphonsus, Albert and Urban. The family grew up (and many lived) in Boomer Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
Catherine died 7 Apr 1900 near Honey Creek, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Laughlin died on 30 July 1911 in Salisbury, Chariton County, Missouri.
