Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-04-23
OBITUARY.
Observation-Disclosures
L. Waterman Tells of Noble Char
acter of the Late o. M. Laid,


The press had made brief mention
of the death of O. M. Laid in Denver
Colorado, on April 10, his burial in OF
tumwa cemetery on Sunday April II.
and that he was formerly well known
citizen of Ottumwa. feel that his life
and character deserve more than pass
ing notice.
Oliver MAYHEM Ladd was born in
Richmond, Ohio, June "a, 1916.
For more than thirty years knew o.
M. Ladd, as he was Familiarity called by
everyone, and counted his acquaintance
and friendship as one of the blessings
of my life, and deem it both duty and
privilege to bear testimony to his
worth as a true friend and to his high
character as citizen.
| 1 knew him first in the early seven
ties soon after he was admitted to the
bar and had commenced the practice Of
law in the city. His. Industrious habits
his integrity and his judicial cast Of
mind gave him immediate standing in
the business community as safe and
wise counselor and adviser.
He served as city solicitor for one
and one-half years, resigning Septem-
Der g. 1875. in order to devote his at.
| tention more fully to his Increasing
business affairs. He served as mem
Der of the city council during the years
| 1S79-S0-81. In every public position
he was diligent, capable and honest
For several years he was the confiden-
tial agent and manager of some of the
large private business interests Of the
late T. J Potter, then general manager
of tn Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
railroad company. He likewise acted
in similar capacity on several occa-
sions for c. e. Perkins, president of
| the same company.
Mr.. Ladd with others acquired the
property and organized the Wapello
Coal Co.. at Kirkville, and the Eldon
owner of the latter company until 1888.
In 1888. on account of his wifes i'm
| paired health, he removed his family
to Denver where he continued to reside
until his decease, although he retained
his loan business in this city and gave
it some personal attention until 1895
when he sold it to G. H. Merrick. In
/ Denver, Colorado, he was connected
with the Colorado Fuel Co., the Colo
RADIO Iron Co., and after the consolida-
ton of these two companies. with the
| Colorado Fuel and Iron Co., in
the purchase and disposal Of coal and
iron properties, besides engaging in
many other and Independent business
/ enterprises.
/ I mention these things to show that
his life was an active one and his re-
sponsibilities many and varied In all
of his business relations he had the
absolute confidence of everyone with
whom he had dealings. His word was
as good as gold My personal relations
with him We're very intimate and prac-
tically unbroken from the the first days
acquaintance until his death. Some
five years ago for period of severa
months, he was critically i'll and his re-
covery considered doubtful but he
fully recovered and since that time haC
enjoyed most excellent health. The
news of the brief but fatal illness came
to his friends here as a severe shock
Their heartfelt and loving sympathy
goes out to the bereaved wife, Ada Up
ham Ladd, who Is so well and favor
ably known in this community where
she spent the days Of her girlhood ant
, young womanhood. and to the children
who are thus bereft Of a fathers cart
; and counsel.
o. NJ Ladd was no ordinary charac'
ter. While many have succeeded II
!, accommodating more of the world''
goods. few acquired more of character
and intellectual development, the only
things that one can take with him int
the life beyond. A full appreciation o
this truth should afford consolation t.
the bereaved wife and be an inspiration
to the fatherless son and daughter AM
all his friends. to emulate his example
; by laying up treasures from which on
cannot be separated by death.
Mrs. Mary e. Smith, for many year