Laird, Henry R.

LAIRD

Posted By: Donna Lindauer
Date: 1/21/2026 at 23:40:17

The Fremont County Herald, published in Sidney, Iowa
Thursday, December 8th, 1921

Henry R. Laird was born at Beardstown, Illinois, on July 25, 1845, and passed away in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday, December 3, at the age of 76 years, 4 months and 8 days.

He was one of a family of thirteen children, nine of whom grew to manhood and womanhood under the guidance of their parents, Johnston and Mary Laird. In 1853, they moved from Illinois and settled on a farm seven miles north of Sidney, where Mr. Laird grew to manhood's estate.

During the Civil War he was a member of the Nebraska Militia, whose duty it was to fight the hostile Indians during the days when the pioneer was beset with many trials. After returning from the military service he spent a few months in Tabor College.

In early manhood he went into business as a stock dealer and farmer. In 1875 he moved to Nebraska where he continued in the same business. A few years later, he moved to Kansas where his home has been mostly until of very recent years. While in Kansas he was very successful and amassed a considerable fortune from the raising of stock and as a wheat grower on his 3000 acre farm there.

About 12 years ago he retired from the active management of his stock and wheat farms and has since made his home in Kansas City, Missouri.

Mr. Laird was never married and having no family of his own, the energy that might have been spent on a family was given to the poor and needy. He was a great giver to all worthy causes, especially to boys and old folks.

He proposed the erection of a monument to the Veterans of the Civil War, in Tabor but his wish was never realized. He used no small part of his means in furthering schemes to help homeless, neglected children and old folks.

He was vice president of the Juvenile Improvement Club of Kansas City, which owned and operated the Boy's Hotel in that city and assisted many boys and young men through school and college. To each of his grand nephews who enlisted in the late war, he gave a substantial sum and these, with countless others, will remember him throughout their lives and ever revere his memory.

In all his business dealings he was a man of strict integrity and a man who hated shams with every fiber of his being.

Three brothers and one sister have preceded him into the great Beyond. The sister passed away in 1874; William T. died about 12 years ago in California; H. R. passed away three years ago last July and R. F. Laird, who died about two years ago at Eskridge, Kansas. Four years ago at Eskridge, Kansas. Four brothers survive him, George C. Laird of Kirksville, Missouri; John C. Laird of Newton, Kansas; James R. Laird of Canon City, Colorado and Hon. F. M. Laird of Tabor.

Funeral services were held from the home of F. M. Laird at Tabor, Wednesday afternoon, December 7, conducted by Rev. Frank C. Gonzales, pastor of the Congregational Church. Interment was made in the Sidney Cemetery.