Illinois House of Representatives, representing the Republican Party. He was re-elected in 1888, serving until 1890. He remained active in trade unionism, becoming the first person to serve as first vice-president of the American Federation of Labor, and in 1888 being a founder of the National Progressive Union of Miners and Mine Laborers. In about 1890, McLaughlin moved to Starkville, Colorado, to take a job as a mine superintendent. References 1831 births 1911 deaths American trade union leaders Greenback Party politicians Mayors of places in Illinois Republican Party members of the Illinois House of Representatives Scottish emigrants to the United States Scottish trade unionists