Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-05-24
Thomas Laird, Deceased.

Mr.. Thomas Laird, though of Scotch de-
scent was born in ireland on the 10th day Of
November, 1915. When he was quite small
his widowed mother with four small children
immigrated to this country, and settled at
Philadelphia, where he resided until lS42
when he started for the West. He spent some
time travelling through Illinois, and in the
autumn of 1914 came to Galena, where he re-
manned till the following summer, at which
time he came to Grant County; first to James
town, then to Potosi and in 1851 to Montiort
where he resided at the time of his death which
occurred ON the 10th inst He was married
in the year 1885, was the father of fourteen
children, eight of whom are now living, and
who with his wife mourn the loss of good
husband and father.
In connection with this biographical sketch
we add AZ truthful and appropriate the follow
ing written by Mr.. G. K Dean.
ever found him the same; considerable,
clear headed, firm-snt and consistent citizens;
able, and perfectly free to give an intelligent
vet unpublished reason tor acts and convictions,
His convictions, either in matters of senti-
ment or relating to persons or things, were
not held as marketable commodities. This
unyielding nature in one is rarely if ever
rightly construed by the facie many but SUI
premely upon personal ends; and it is not sur
prisng that Mr.. Laird was often brought IN
to collision of aims, so far is his line OF con-
duct touching public affairs went-and 1t was
his sturdy, patriotic nature and not vulgar
ambition which prompted constant activity
and solicitude in public atfairs--wIth those
with whom he was brought in contact who
were in pursuit of ends less in harmony with
the public good. In truth: what in him was
a real virtue was counted by many as but
manifestation of the small vice OF prejudice.
So it has always been, and SO, we fear, it will
always be.
Mr. Laird will be greatly missed in the adj
ministratiou of our county business as well as
in the minor affairs of the town of Wingville.
His experience upon The County Board EN-
braced more years of service than can be
claimed, think, by any living citizen; and it
will be universally conceded by all who have
served with him that his influence was always
upon the side of official responsibility, ana
for strict economy in the eXendture of public
moneys. By frequently serving as Chairman
of the Finance Committee, he saved to the
county, in causing the rejection of unjust
bills, many hundreds of dollars.
Mr.. Laird will also be greatly missed,
especially by those who rightly appreciated
his merits, in primary political matters He
was most faithful servant of his party, and
rarely failed of attendance upon its coaven-
tons. Whatever may have been, or may be
said to the contrary, his supreme care IN this
connection, was 10 conserve the best Interests
of his party and OF the country. Conscious
of his imperfect qualifications, he never sought
political positions which he felt himself IN
competent to fill in justice TO the public, and
herein his unselfsh patriotism was rendered
most conspicuous. How rare virtue in these
times.
1t would be an inexcusabe neglect did ] fail
in noticing one other material credit in the
record of our departed friend. When
the war broke out, in April,
1861, Mr.. Laird was, though exempt
from service by reason of age, among the first
to respond He enrolled in the I'd company
of Volunteers, which organized at Boscobel on
the goth of April, 1861; and fearing that he
would be rejected by the mastering officer
Lieut., now Gen, Ruger-when inspected in
the upper room Of the old railroad depot May
80, 1861, he interceded with the writer to pros
cure from Lieut.. Ruger a favorable inspection
and acceptance, which was done. He wore
no shoulder straps during the war, neither did
he aspire to command but it need not be
doubted that in his humble way he tried to do
his duty to his adopted country in her period
of greatest distress. The country even now
can i'll afford to spare anyone of her citizens
so disinteres teddy patriotic and well dis posed
as was Thomas Laird.