The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-06-07
Death of Judge McLaren.

John D. McLaren died at his home
in this city at nine o'clock Tuesday
evening, June 5, 1906, aged 20 years
10 months and II days.
His death came after an illness of
almost four months He was taken
seriously i'll in February ana while he
rallied several times he was able to
do but little Office work, and two
weeks before his death took his bed
never to leave it alive.
Mr.. McLaren was one of the ablest
lawyers in Plymouth and in fact had
few superiors in the state as a legal
adviser He was born in Indiana coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, July Is. 1885. He
was reared in Pennsylvania, and in
early life attended the schools of
Westmoreland county, and at Saltz-
burg. Indiana county. Later he be-
came a student at Washington col
lege, where he pursued his studies for
sometime, but owing to financial diff
culties, he was not able to complete
his college course. He taught school
for time at Livermore, Westmore-
land county, Pa, and in July 1856, he
entered the law Office of H. w. Weir,
of Saltzburg and continued the study
of law with Mr.. Weir until he was
admitted to the bar in 1858. He then
formed a partnership with his pre-
ceptor and the firm had very large
and lucrative business until 1863 when
Mr.. McLaren enlisted in the service
of his country.
After his discharge in 1864, he re-
turned to the practice of law, and in
1865, went to Illinois, where he re-
manned one year, when he returned
to Pennsylvania intending to locate
at Pittsburg; but his valuable library
was destroyed by fire and at the earn
est solicitation of friends he came to
Knox, Starke county, Ind, in 1866,
where he practiced,law for nine years.
He spent the years 1875 and 1876 at
Warsaw and Valparaiso and came to
Plymouth in September 1877, making
this city his home until his death.
He had a thorough knowledge of
law, and his mind was of that judicial
type that always made him safe
counselor. As a practitioner his,
abundant resources never failed to
advance the interests of his clients,
and his addresses to court and jury
always received careful attention. He
was regarded by all the members of
the bar as profoundly logical.
He filled the position of Judge of
the circuit court by appointment, and
was often chosen as special judge in
this and adjoining counties, and on
the bench, was noted for a keenness
of perception, firmness of grasp up
on legal propositions and a power of
analysis which belong only to the nat
ural jurist His death removes a great
lawyer from our midst.
Judge McLaren was twice married.
His first wife was Anna M. Porter,
daughter of Andrew W. and Ruth S.
Porter, of Pennsylvania, with whom
he was united in marriage in Novem-
Der 1858. She died in October 1875,
leaving four children, all of whom
are still living. They are Charles H.
McLaren of Johnstown, Pa, Mrs.
Birdie r. Keener and ]. Devoe Nc
Laren of Indiana, Pa, and Daniel of
Tiosa, Ind.
On February 2, 1879, Mr. McLaren
was again married to Miss Susan Viii
liams, of Toledo, Ohio, who survives
him.
Funeral services will be held at the
residence at 2:30 D. m. Friday con-
Quoted b. Rev. W. 5. Howard and the
remains will be inferred at Oak Hill.