White County ArArchives Biographies.....Ladd, J. S. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 15, 2009, 10:17 am

Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

J. S. LADD.
    J. S. Ladd is now living retired in Judsonia and no history of the town
would be complete without extended reference to him, for through thirty-five
years he was closely associated with its mercantile interests and with the
development and progress of the city arising therefrom. His birth occurred near
Franklin, in Williamson county, Tennessee, April 9, 1S48, his parents being T.
G. and Mary Jane (Smithson) Ladd, both of whom were natives of Middle Tennessee
and representatives of old families of that state. The grandfather in the
paternal line was Noble Ladd, who was born in Tennessee and belonged to one of
the pioneer families of the south. He followed farming and owned slaves to the
time of his death, which occurred during the Civil war period. The grandfather
of J. S. Ladd on the distaff side was Samuel Smithson, who was like wise a
native of Tennessee, where his ancestors settled during the Revolutionary war
period.   He spent his life in his native state.

    T. G Ladd, father of J. S. Ladd, was a school teacher, following the
profession for forty-five years. A man of liberal education, he held to high
ideals in the work of the schoolroom and contributed much to the intellectual
progress of the community in which he lived. He afterward engaged in
merchandising in Memphis from 1862 until 1865 and he departed this life at the
ripe old age of seventy-four years, while his wife died in White county,
Arkansas, at the age of seventy-nine. His political support was originally given
to the whig party and on the dissolution of that party he joined the ranks of
the democrats. He was a Mason and his wife was connected with the Order of the
Eastern Star, while both held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church,
South. In their family were eight children, four of whom are living, Minerva
Ann, Samuel N. and Mary M., having all departed this life, as has Martha E.
These were the three eldest and the fifth member of the family. Those who
survive are: J. S.; Eliza J., living in Louisville, Kentucky; T. G., of Memphis,
Tennessee; and W. F., a resident of Covington, Tennessee.

    J. S. Ladd was educated in western Tennessee, where he attended the
subscription schools, being largely under the instruction of his father. The
year 1S69 witnessed his arrival in White county, Arkansas, at which time he
purchased bottom land and engaged in general farming. A little later he removed
to Judsonia, where he established a confectionery store but later developed it
into a general merchandise house, which he conducted under his own name. He
remained an active factor in the mercantile circles of the city for thirty-five
years ere he retired from business in 1915 to enjoy in well earned rest the
fruits of his former toil.

    On the 8th of May, 1870, Mr. Ladd was married to Miss Mollie Vandal, a
native of Tennessee, who died in 1885. They had a family of seven children, two
of whom died in infancy, while Sarah J. has also departed this life. Lula is the
widow of Dr. W. J. Miller, who was a practicing physician of Griffithville and
she now makes her home at Little Rock; Pearl is the widow of Eugene Winsott, who
was a liveryman of Judsonia; Walker is engaged in the garage business at Newport
and at Judsonia; and the youngest child died in infancy. The mother was a
consistent member of the Baptist church. For his second wife Mr. Ladd chose Miss
Hal Key, a native of Arkansas, and to them were born ten children, seven of whom
are living: Clifton, who is a graduate of the Memphis Dental College and is now
practicing dentistry in Marvell, Phillips county, Arkansas; Frances, the wife of
Carl Garms, a contractor of Little Rock; Mary, the wife of Thomas Wells of
Searcy; Catherine, the wife of J. K. Jemerson, manager of a garage at Judsonia;
Ester, the wife of Irvin Winn, a banker of Bald Knob; two children who died in
infancy; Johnnie, who died at the age of four years; and Henry and Elizabeth, at
home. The mother of this family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church,
South. Politically Mr. Ladd is a democrat and for two terms served as postmaster
of Judsonia under President Cleveland. He was also elected constable, being
chosen to that office at one time when he was the only democrat elected in the
county, a fact indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed
in him. He was opposed by a populist. His has been a useful and well spent life
and the sterling worth of his character is attested by all with whom he has come
into contact. As a merchant he contributed in large measure to the business
development of Judsonia and while he has now retired from mercantile pursuits he
is still interested in a garage, the company being the authorized Ford agent at
Judsonia, handling the Ford supplies and accessories and also the Fordson
tractor. Throughout his career Mr. Ladd has been characterized by a progressive
spirit and his determined purpose has enabled him ultimately to reach his
objective. His career, moreover, proves that success and an honored name may be
won simultaneously and his example is well worthy of emulation.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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