Colonel James Hiram McLaughlin
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Reportedly born during 1844 in Oneida, New York. For most of his childhood he wrestled, spending nearly all of the time he could afford to on training. His first contest would come at the tender age of 15, in 1859. McLaughlin won against a local logger by the name of Hiram McKee. After the match McKee was hospitalized from being involved in a fight, it is not stated if that was also with McLaughlin or not.
Shortly after the American Civil War started whilst in the army McLaughlin quickly became the wrestling champion in his regiment and his reputation spread like a rash through-out the yankee ranks. When the war was all said and done McLaughlin left a Colonel and went back to carving a name for himself on the stage of Northeastern Collar and Elbow wrestling.
It is generally considered that McLaughlin was the first recognized American Collar & Elbow Champion and the first champion with it in America, however, this looks to be inaccurate. There were definitely champions in this field prior to him and they were billed as American Collar & Championship matches, or world as that was often used instead of American, but much work is still to be done on that period of history.
The day was May 14, 1866 when McLaughlin won that title. He faced Lieutenant Louis Ainsoworth at Driving Park in Newark, New Jersey. For nearly thirty months he reigned supreme until he was toppled by Homer Lane on September 1, 1868.
March 10, 1870 McLaughlin beat Barney Smith and E.P. Harrington in a tournament held at Detroit, Michigan to win a 'diamond studded belt.' The title was described as: "Four feet long, white on the outside with blue edge; also, with a silver plate in front, engraved as follow: 'Won by J.H. McLaughlin at the International Tournament, Detroit, March 10, 1870,' and a silver shield at the back, bearing the inscription; 'Champion Wrestler.' The trim of the belt is inlaid with diamonds, and stars in red, making the red, white and blue. The cost of the belt was $300."
With the win of that tournament and the diamond studded title, it appears he also won Lane's American Collar & Elbow Championship, which McLaughlin had lost to him. From there he went on to win the title a further three times, the last on January 29, 1884. All the toughest competition squared off against McLaughlin at some point over the course of his career, he was some what of a measuring stick in his style and era.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Biography of Colonel James Hiram McLaughlin.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: July 2014.
Biography: #98.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
Biography of Colonel James Hiram McLaughlin.
Author: Jimmy Wheeler.
Published: July 2014.
Biography: #98.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.