WILLIAM L. LAURENT, who has attained prominence in the real estate circles of Sullivan county, was born in Leopold, Perry county, Indiana, September 22, 1875, a son of August and Catherine (Allard) Laurent, both of whom were of French descent, and the father was born in that country in 1846, while the mother was born in Perry county, Indiana, in 1852. August Laurent came with his parents to the United States when but seven years of age, the family locating in Leopold, Indiana, where they were farming people, but they died shortly after their emigration to this country. After the death of his parents August learned the mason and marble cutters' trade, and followed those occupations until within a short time of his death, which occurred in 1901. He was a Republican politically, a Mason fraternally, and both he and his wife were members of the Catholic church. She is now living with her son William in Shelburn. Her parents, Francis and Mary (Belva) Allard, came from their native land of France to the United States about 1831, locating first in Kentucky, from whence they removed to Leopold, Indiana, and remained there during the rest of their lives. Mr. Allard was a merchant of that city until the breaking out of the Civil war, also a notary, and after the close of the conflict he gardened and took care of his notary work, dying about 188S, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife was seventy-five years of age at the time of her death in 1905. She was a member of a prominent and well known family in France. Nine children were born to August and Catherine Allard Laurent, namely: Joseph, who died when young; John, whose home is in Stoy, Illinois; Edward, of Greenville, Indiana; William L., who is mentioned later; Frank, whose home is in Willisville, Illinois; August R., of Evansville, Indiana; Mamie, who is residing with her brother William; and Joseph and Henry, who died in infancy.
After completing his education in the common schools William L. Laurent worked in a general mercantile store for two and a half years, having charge of the postoffice at the same time, and during the ten years following this period he worked in the mines. Coming to Shelburn, Indiana, in March of 1903, he opened a real estate and insurance office here, and is now the proprietor of a real estate, loan, insurance, collection and rental office, enjoying a large and lucrative patronage. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and takes an active part in the local councils of his party, while at the present time he is serving as the committeeman of his precinct. He believes in the social organizations for the protection of the laboring men, and while at the mines he was an active member of the mine organizations. His fraternal relations connect him with the Red Men, Utah Tribe No. 213, at Shelburn, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, lodge No. 603 at Himera, and with the auxiliaries of both orders; with the K. of C. council No. 541, Terre Haute, Indiana, and with the Modern Woodmen of America, camp 13563, Shelburn, Indiana.
The marriage of Mr. Laurent was celebrated September 26, 1906, at St. Mary's church at Sullivan, Indiana, when Sadie M. Stadley became his wife. She was born in Greensburg, Indiana, a daughter of Edward and Julia Stadley, the latter deceased, but the father is now living in Shelburn. He farmed until he came here in 1905.