During his lifetime,
Bovard-Anderson’s John McLaughlin has seen our nation endure
and bounce back from wars, economic downturns and other unsettling
events. He says he is proud of the company’s enduring 100-year
legacy of service to Beaver County, not only providing a valuable
service, but also helping to make the county a better place in which
to live and work.
John joined Bovard-Anderson in 1953 at the invitation of his father,
the late John “Jack” McLaughlin. Jack himself was a longtime
fixture in Beaver commerce and politics and was involved in the business
for more than 61 years. In 1966, John became a full partner when
he and his father purchased the interests of colleague Adams Anderson,
who retired.
John and his wife Nicky later took over the full ownership reigns
of Bovard-Anderson. Together, they raised a family of five children
while handling a full plate of sales, rentals, property management
and insurance. The company also helped develop many neighborhoods
in Beaver County – Wynngate Heights, Lynn Haven, Laurel Ridge,
Glenfield Farms and others. In 1982, he was honored as Beaver County
Realtor of the Year.
In his spare time, the untiring John was president of the Beaver
County Board of Realtors, the Beaver County MultiList and Beaver
Rotary; a finance board member of the Beaver United Methodist Church
and the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation; active with the Jaycees
and Beaver Chamber of Commerce; a charter member of the Hookstown
Stockman’s Club; and a member and chairman of the Brighton
Township Zoning Hearing Board.
In 1992, John and Nicky sold a controlling share of the business
to their son and daughter in law, Edwards and Jacqueline McLaughlin.
Today, they’re available for occasional consulting, and also
spend time with grandchildren, hobbies and charitable and community
activities. Among John’s busy retirement schedule are duties
as a trustee of the Beaver Area Historical Museum; and as a reviewer
of tax assessment appeals for the County of Beaver. He enjoys taxidermy
and loves to hunt and fish, as well as create sculptures in wood
and metal. |
