LAIRD, Otho 1889-1950

LAIRD, BROOKS, SMITH, GRAWE, BARTSCH, GARLAND, CHANDLER, BROWN, HOON, NICHOLSON, WATSON, SEARS, BLOOM, EASTMAN

Posted By: Cindy Bray Lovell (email)
Date: 1/27/2005 at 14:05:43

Otho R. Laird Taken By Death

Otho Rowland Laird, son of Hugh Barr and Aletta Brooks Laird, was born in Nashua June 13. 1889. He was educated in the Nashua public schools and was graduated in 1906.

He discovered an early interest in art and developed his talents in an art school in Minneapolis. His career in the field of window decorating in Waseca, Minn. and Marshalltown, was terminated after a few year's by the loss of his Health. He returned to Nashua and made his home with a sister, Mrs. Ward B. Smith.

After her death in 1939, he resided with his other sister Mrs. D. B. Grawe, until his death, May 14, 1950.

Even though he was in ill health, he was active in Boy Scout work for about 15 years serving as scoutmaster about 15 years. His unusual abilities, interests and his affection for young people made him an ideal leader and won for him wide recognition in Scouting circles.

Appreciation for his services was expressed in the award of Scouting's highest honor, the Silver Beaver. He was also made a member of the Iowa Historical society in recognition of outstanding research in archaeology and Indian history.

For a year preceding his death he owned and operated the Art Kraft studio near the Little Brown church.

Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers and one sister, Mrs. Clio Grawe of Nashua: one nephew, Carroll Bartsch of Altadena, Calif., and one niece, Mrs. Winifred Garland, of Dubuque.

Funeral services were held at the Chenoweth funeral home Tuesday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. F. L. Hanscom officiating. Flower ladies were Miss Claudia Smith and Mrs. Kenneth Chandler. Casket bearers were Kenneth Brown, Jack Hoon, Richard Nicholson, Norman Watson, Stuart Sears and Max Bloom.

Burial was in Greenwood cemetery.

Among the out-of-town friends and relatives attending the Funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Brown of Harpers Ferry, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Eastman and Ivan Brown of Charles City and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Garland of Dubuque.

Source: Nashua Reporter May 17th, 1950