James McLaughlin (1842-1923) was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and
he obtained his U.S. citizenship at twenty-three.  For several years, he
worked as an itinerant blacksmith and salesman.  In 1871, he was hired as
a blacksmith at Fort Totten but was trained to be an Indian agent.  He was
officially appointed agent in 1876 and was transferred to the Sioux
reservation at Standing Rock in 1881.  He strove to make the Indian
self-sufficient by encouraging them to become educated and adopt white
traditions.  He is shown here (center) at the dedication of Standing Rock
in 1886.  Sitting Bull is to his right.