McLaughlin, Drew Sr.

Drew McLaughlin, Sr., entered the newspaper business in 1909 when he became owner and editor of the Sabetha Herald, a position he held until 1914. He was editor of the Hiawatha Daily World from 1914 to 1919, and in 1920 he bought the Miami Republican, which he operated until the 1960s.

McLaughlin was active in Kansas politics, and served as a delegate to the 1928 national Republican convention in Kansas City. He was a member of the Paola Board of Education and Chairman of the Republican party in Miami county.

In July, 1930, he was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents, a position he held under six governors through 1954.

McLaughlin wrote a tribute to his lifelong profession in 1955. “Pleasure has come through newspaper work,” he said. “Never has there been the desire to gain riches through newspaper publishing, and the wealth never has come. Foremost has been the best possible service to the county and the city.”

McLaughlin died in 1967.