GEORGE R. LADD, 1850-??

LADD, SKEWIS

Posted By: Bahnson
Date: 4/24/2002 at 18:01:11

GEORGE R. LADD
George R. Ladd came to Lyon county, Iowa, in the spring of 1881, and for a time was engaged in farming rented land, and this largely for the purpose of testing the soil and climate. Finding both to his satisfaction he presently bought 200 acres some five miles from Inwood, and there he made his home for seventeen years. During this long time his crops never failed, and from his profits he built a dwelling house, a large barn, granary, hob house, and everything else needed for the careful and profitable handling of his grain, stock and machinery. In 1896 he sold out this fine farm of 200 acres, and retired to a home in Inwood, where he is now enjoying the fruits of an honorable and useful career.
The career of Mr. Ladd in Lyon county is an interesting illustration of the possibilities the northwest has opened before the eyes of the man of industry and integrity. When he came into Lyon county he had but little or nothing beside a small stock of household goods, a few head of cattle and but $20 in money to keep himself and his family from starvation until he could raise a crop. The ways and means to which the farmers of those days had to resort would discourage a man now, but grit and energy pushed through to success. Thousands of men have trod the great northwest with not enough on hand to stay the pangs of hunger for a week, but they have held on, and in the end have become well-to-do and comfortable, if not wealthy. Never has there been a story like the settlement of the prairies of the west.
After his coming to the village, for the sake of having something to do, and keeping his mind occupied, Mr. Ladd started a restaurant, which he sold to his son, Clarence, after having conducted it very successfully for three years. Since that time he has dealt quite extensively as well as successfully in farm property, buying and selling farms, and at the present time owns over 500 acres of improved land in Minnesota, which he rents, holding it at $50 an acre.
Mr. Ladd was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, July 23, 1850, on a farm, where he was reared to manhood, and where he continued to farm until his appearance in Lyon county, as noted above. His marriage with Miss Mary Ellen Skewis, occurred in 1871, and to this marriage were born three girls and four boys; Clarence, whose biography appears on another; Carrie, a teacher, at home; Will, a barber in Inwood, he is married and has one child, Harold; Allie, a teacher; Jennie is married and has one child, Lewis; Ben, the proprietor of a dray line in Inwood; and Earl, a student in the home school.
Mr. Ladd is the son of Azel P. Ladd, a physician, who was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. After graduating from a medical school he came to the west, and after practicing for a time in Chicago, drove through to Shullsburg, Wisconsin, in 1846. Success attended him, and he was chosen state superintendent, but he died of cholera in 1849. Our subject can trace his family back to the Mayflower.
George R. Ladd is a Democrat, and has been school director for six years, and was assessor the same time. He and his family belong to the Presbyterian church.