Addison H. Laflin

Image:Addison H. Laflin - Brady-Handy.jpg

Addison Henry Laflin (October 24, 1823 – September 24, 1878) was an American printmaker and politician. He served in the New York State Senate in 1858 and 1859.{{Cite book |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/L000017 |title=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |publisher=Library of Congress |chapter=LAFLIN, Addison Henry (1823–1878) |access-date=2025-04-15}} He was then elected as a Republican to the United States Congress, holding office from 1865 to 1871.

Early life

Laflin was born in Lee, Berkshire County, Massachusetts on 24 October 1823,{{Cite book |title=A Biographical Directory of the US Customs Service 1771-1989 |date=August 1985 |publisher=US Customs Service |edition=1st |location=Washington, D. C.}} the son of Walter Laflan, a prominent print maker.{{Cite news |date=25 September 1878 |title=Ex Naval Officer Laflan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/71335325/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=Harrisburg Daily Independent |pages=1}} He attended common schools and graduated from Williams College, Massachusetts in 1843.

Career

Laflin moved to Herkimer, New York. With his brother, Bryon,{{Cite book |last=Valente |first=A. J. |title=Rag Paper Manufacture in the United States 1801-1900: A History, with Directories of Mills and Owners |publisher=McFarland & Company Inc. |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7864-5863-9 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |pages=61–62 |language=en}} Laflin became a prominent paper manufacturer.{{Cite news |date=8 Apr 1863 |title=Hemp Paper |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=23tcAAAAIBAJ&dq=addison+laflin&pg=PA2&article_id=6176,901117 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The Providence Daily Evening Press}} He developed a method of watermarking using a wire belt. However, the method wasn't very popular and in 1857, they sold the Herkimer Mill for a sizeable sum of $70,000.

Laflin served in New York State Senate (20th D.) in 1858 and 1859.{{Cite book |title=History of Herkimer County, New York 1791-1879 |publisher=F. W. Beers & Co. |year=1879 |pages=69 |language=en}} He was elected as a Republican to the United States Congress and held office from March 4, 1865, to March 3, 1871. He was also a delegate to the Republican state convention of 1867.

Laflin was appointed Naval Officer of the Port of New York by President Ulysses S. Grant{{Cite news |date=8 Apr 1871 |title=From Washington: Nominations Confirmed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DCVhAAAAIBAJ&dq=addison+laflin&pg=PA1&article_id=5777,1727164 |access-date={{today}} |work=The Morning Star |location=Providence, Rhode Island |pages=1}} on April 3, 1871. He served in that position until he resigned in 23 January 1877.