Traer Star Clipper, Friday, February 19th, 1915 page 1

Dr. Ladd was laid away on Buckingham hillside Tuesday. He died Saturday after a brief illness of pneumonia. He was about a few days before, indeed the life of his wife was in the balance, while few knew he was ill. In his death a long, busy and useful life has ended. He was one of the most widely known residents of north Tama for half a century. He was in his eighty-fifth year, having been born in Andes, New York, October 29, 1830. He studied medicine in the east and was graduated from the Keokuk medical college in 1850. After practicing some years, he located in old Buckingham in 1869 and attended the sick far and near. At the birth of Traer, he came here and continued to practice until age and health forced him to quit the profession.

He served in the civil war and was commissioned first assistant surgeon in the First Iowa cavalry. On December 30, 1858 he married Nancy E. Rose, of Ravenna, Ohio, who with six children survives. The children are Ossian D., of Memphis, Tennessee; Nettie E. of Los Angeles, California; Fred G., Cedar Rapids; John H. of Outlook, Montana; Mabel C. of Evanston, Illinois; and Nancy G., of Traer. Three brothers are living. Levi, of Traer; Augustine and Lemuel. There are eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

D r. Ladd was at one time mayor of the city and he served four years as postmaster. He was a Mason for fifty years. He was a member of the Congregational church and quite regular in attendance in late years. Dr. and Mrs. Ladd celebrated the fifty fifth anniversary of their marriage two years ago, which was fully reported in these columns. Thus, passes from our midst another of the early pioneers who built so well and made permanent to society and the county the results of their toil; a generation of men and women fast passing away, who made the wilderness glad and the solitary place to blossom aa the rose; men and women loyal to their friends, true to their convictions, lovers of God's word and the establishers of the worship of God in forest and on plain. Dr. Ladd's death, even at the ripe age of eighty five, will be mourned in many homes, where in years gone by his smile and his skill were so welcome.

The funeral was on Tuesday afternoon at the Congregational church. Rev. Miles delivered a beautiful and sympathetic address before a large audience. A male quartet sang. There were floral offerings almost without number.

Photo source - Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, February 15, 1915