John Laborde, the well-known owner and manager of the Oneco Flouring-Mills of Oneco Township, was born on the 25th of September, 1822, in Union County, Pa. David Laborde, his father, was born in Dauphin County, Pa., in 1793, where he resided until he was twenty-one years of age. He was apprenticed to a carpenter, serving his full apprenticeship and mastering all the details of that trade. When about twenty-five years of age he went to Union County, where he was married. For the space of about seven years he plied his vocation as carpenter in that county and vicinity, and then went to Clearfield County, where he secured a tract of timber land. He immediately set to work clearing the timber from this land, and in a few years succeeded in placing many acres of it under cultivation. On this farm he resided thirty years. Believing that he could better his condition in the West he disposed of his possessions in Pennsylvania and came to Illinois, settling in Rock Grove Township, Stephenson County, on eighty acres of land, which he had purchased. He remained on his farm during the last days of his life. The grandfather was Peter Laborde, and was of French descent. At the age of sixty years he disappeared, going no one knew whither. He was never afterward heard of. The mother, Catherine Arnold, was born in Northumberland County, Pa. Her father was of German descent, as were all the relatives on her side.

John Laborde married Miss Catherine Dixon on the 5th of May, 1853, in Monroe, Wis. About eight years after the marriage of Mr. Laborde, he removed to Rock Grove, Stephenson Co., Ill., where he lived for three years. Having learned of the fertility of the soil in Shueyville, Green Co., Wis., he removed there, where he remained three years engaged in the milling business. Thence he removed to Rock Grove, Stephenson Co., Ill., and later to Martintown, Wis., where he engaged in milling. Having been successful in his pursuits he concluded to occupy larger fields for his business, and removed to Oneco Township, purchasing what was known as the Oneco Flouring-Mills. In the course of time as there came improvements in mill machinery he removed the old mill, and on its site erected the present model establishment. This mill does both custom and mercantile grinding for all this region of country. Mr. Laborde being careful in the management of his mills, and just in the exaction of tolls, is popular with the farming community.

Mrs. Laborde’s people were natives of Pennsylvania, of Scotch descent on the father’s and German on the mother’s side. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Laborde are: Susannah Eliza, Mrs. Schrack, who lives in Oneco; Franklin Pierce, who died in 1860, at the age of five years; Rosella J. died in 1880; Oliver H. P. died when one and one-half years of age; and Sylvester S. and John Alvah, who reside at home. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Laborde has been a church officer ever since he became a member. He is Democratic in politics, though taking no offensive part in political affairs.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888) Page 589