Sullivan-Montour County PA Archives Biographies.....LAIRD, Thomas S. 1831 - 
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  File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
  Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 31, 2005, 10:29 pm
  
  Author: Biographical Publishing Co.
  
  THOMAS S. LAIRD, a blacksmith of considerable prominence at Nordmont, Laporte
  township, Sullivan County, Pa., is purely of Scotch descent, as his name
  indicates. He is the second child and eldest son of William and Sarah (McNeil)
  Laird, and was born at Washingtonville, Montour County, Pa., January 21, 1831.
  
    Col. William Laird was the first of the Laird family to come to America. He
  was born in Scotland and came to this country at the age of seven years in
  company with some friends. He grew to manhood in the midst of the most exciting
  times in our country's history, at a time when young men for love of country
  left fathers, mothers, and sweethearts, and husbands left wives and families,
  that they might battle for the cause of freedom. It is almost needless to say
  that he responded to the call to arms. He served as a private under the
  illustrious Washington in 1755, and during the Revolutionary War he served as
  captain of Washington's body-guard, which fact is to-day the boast of his
  descendants. He wedded Rosanna Gaston, a Scotch emigrant, and settled in
  Northumberland County, Pa., where he bought a farm and became a tiller of the
  soil, an occupation he followed until cut off by death at the extreme age of
  ninety-seven years. His companion also lived to a very old age. Realizing that
  our country, depleted by the ravages of war, would need in the future many brave
  men and women to support the cause for which they fought, Col. Laird brought
  into the world sixteen children, eight boys and eight girls. It is not
  absolutely known how many of the girls reached maturity, as women sometimes
  change their names early in life, and their identity is easily lost. But the
  following boys grew to manhood: Thomas; John; James; William; Samuel; and Matthew.
  
    Thomas, the eldest of these, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born
  in Derry township, then a part of Northumberland County, Pa., and died at the
  age of sixty-five years, having been a farmer all his life. He participated in
  the War of 1812 and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He was united in
  marriage with Annie McBride, a Scotch emigrant, who, upon dying, left him with
  seven children, namely: Martha; Rosanna; Sarah; Esther; Eliza; William; and
  Thomas. Mr. Laird formed a second matrimonial alliance with Hester McReynolds,
  and they had two children: Anne, and Russell.
     
  William Laird, the father of our subject, was born in Derry township, Columbia
  County, Pa. Early in life he learned the trade of a blacksmith, working at his
  chosen calling for a canal company, being thus employed when his life was cut
  short by a misfortune which deprived his wife and children of a loving husband
  and father. He was accidentally drowned at Carrasawaga Falls, Dauphin County,
  Pa., while yet in the prime and vigor of manhood, having only attained the age
  of thirty-five. He was married to Sarah McNeil, who survived him, having borne
  him four children, viz.: Mary, who died in infancy; Thomas S., our subject; Ann;
  and Samuel.
  
    Our subject is particularly fortunate in one respect, there are many
  interesting facts and adventures by which he can remember his forefathers, and
  this is not alone true of his father's family, for there are many thrilling
  experiences told of his maternal ancestors, one of which deserves a place in
  this sketch. Sarah (McNeil) Laird was the daughter of Samuel McNeil of Columbia
  County, who was of Scotch descent. Her mother's maiden name was Annie Davis, who
  was taken prisoner by the Indians during the Revolutionary War at Chillisquaque
  Creek, seven of her sisters and brothers being killed at the same time. She was
  kept in captivity for five years, when Ezra, her brother, who was in the
  Colonial Army at the time of her capture, went to Canada, where she was held,
  and succeeded in securing her release. After her husband's demise our subject's
  mother formed a second marital union with Benjamin J. McWilliams, no issue
  resulting from their marriage.
  
    Thomas S. Laird learned the blacksmith's trade by serving an apprenticeship
  under Joseph Green of Hughesville for a period of two years. He then started in
  business for himself at Sonestown, Sullivan County, Pa., where he remained one
  year; then he moved successively to Smithsville, Taylorville, Hughesville, and
  finally settled at Nordmont in 1876, where he is considered an expert in his
  business. He was united in marriage with Sarah Jane Glidewell of Davidson
  township, Sullivan County, and their home was blessed by the presence of nine
  children, as follows: Jerome; William; Coralynn; Caroline; Amanda; McClellan,
  now deceased; Eleanora; Russell; and Estella. It gives great pleasure to speak
  of a good man and to note what he has done, and we feel sure there are few men
  who more fully enjoy the confidence and good will of their fellow-men than does
  Mr. Laird. As to the question of religion and where people shall worship, he
  expresses broad and liberal views. In politics he upholds the principles of the
  People's party; has been on the election board twenty-one years as judge,
  inspector or clerk; and was auditor of Davidson township for eighteen years.
  
  
  
  Additional Comments:
  Extracted from:
    
    Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
    Published by 
    Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)
  
  
  
  
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