Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-04-11
IN MEMORuAM.

LADD.-At her home in Perrysbnrg
Wednesday. April 1si. 1884. Mrs. ELoIsl
G. LADD, widow of Judge DAVID LADD,
in the 70th year of her age.
We copy the following biographical
sketch OF this NEST estimable lady as pre-
pared for the Toledo Bee
The deceased, whose maiden name was
Miss Eloise G. Bacon, was born IN Lanes
boro, Berkshire county, Mass. August l6
1914. and II; the time of her death was in
her 10Th year. She was married at The
age of 26, TO David Ladd, at Trenton,
Oneida county, n. Y, October 10, 1910
The newly married pair Immediately
took up their residence at Perryshurg,
where they continued to reside until the
time of their DEATH Mr.. Ladd died May
4, 1856. The result of the union WAS three
children-Louise B., wife of w. w. Price,
of WoodvIlle, o.. Anna, who lived will,
her mother, and Theodore S. who died
at ST. Paul, MINI, August IL, 1879.
Mrs. Lsdd's long residence In this COM
munily mum bers her among the respected
pioneers of the Valley. She was II woman
of exemplary character and sterling worth,
beloved by all who knew her, and her loss
will he keenly felt by large circle Of
friends. A physician was first called TO
attend her in her last illness, ten weeks
si,ce; a week ago she was taken with II
congeslive chill, from the effects Of which
she never recovered.
Judge Ladd was the father, 10y former
wife, Of Mrs. A II Roby, wife of Capt.
c. G. Roby, who with their daughter Abby,
were the victims Of that terrible disaster
which occurred ON Lake Erie thirty four
years ago in the burning of the steamer
Griffith. The death of Mrs. LaJd calls 10
mind the tragic fate of these other menu
bers OF the family, and the following Incl
dents of the burning OF Captain Roby'r
steamer Griffith, will be read with interest
in this connection. They are culled from
an account given in the Fort Meigs Re
peiRe, June %, 1885, then published AT
Perryslurg.
The Griffith left Buffalo Sunday NOR, =
ing nj IL o'clock, June 10, 1850, and on
Monday morning, Just before daylight
, near the mouth Of Cnagrin river, the fire
WAS discovered. An attempt was made to
exiinguish the flames, but not proving sue.
cessful, Capt. Il ,by ordered the b"at to
head for shore, three miles distant. When
under full headway and within half II mile
from shere, the boat struck on u bar, and
the flames almost envelopel the boat. An
attempt to swim to the shore WAS The only
hope Of escape, Capt. Roby observed
great coolness, and in his apparent desire
to secure the safety of the crew and pas
sengers, and particularly Of his Uwn fani
", appears hardly to have thought of him
self. lie requested Donavan, the steward
to save his little daugh er, who plunged
into the Lake with her, but WAS unable
to sustain her. Mrs. Roby became almos
frantic at the sight of her daughter sink
ing after such struggling TO save her
Sitting upeR the outside Of the railing
and holding fast To il till the flames wer,
ready 10 devour her, Capt. Roby pnshet
her into the lake and jumped in after her
The bodies OF Captain Roby, his viii
and child were brought to Perrysburg Ol
Wednesday following the disaster. Tn
bodies of Captain Roby's mother, Mr.
Alice Wilkinson and the little daughter u
Mr.. Israel Champion were taken to Mau
NEE City. The funeral rites were observe
in Maumee, in the forenoon OF that day
and those of Captain Roby and his fnmil
in Perrysburg. in the afternoon. TheS
were deposited in one common grave.
Captain Roby was married in 1886, an
in that year was clerk for Gen. Hun
afterward was steward ON the Commodor
Perry, and advanced to that Of comma'
der of tie steamer Indiana. In l849 Ii
built the steamboat Wave which run be
tween Toledo and Ssndnsky City. In til
spring Of 1850, in company with Mr.. Sind
iford, of Monroe, he purchased the Grifill
Of which vessel he took command and wa
returning ON the first tripi-from Buff,l'
when the sad disaster occurred which en-
ded the career OF himself and family an
scores of others.
The Repeite says; "MrS. Amelia Rol'
was the daughter OF Judge David L,d'
She, in IL very remarkable degree, p"sSes.e
that temperament and tIose virtues wl'ir
go to perfect the female character Mod
est, retiring, charitable, aiieciionaie
friends, and benevolent Tn the posr,
whose wants her hands were ever open, al
will long be remembered