 Joseph C. Laird, son of Alexander & Elizabeth (Scott) Laird, is believed to have been born 27 October 1771 in Scotland. He emigrated with his wife, Ellen Eleanor Morrison in about 1816. Six of their eight children were with them when they traveled to America. It seems likely that the family came into the United States through Canada. This was the predominate route of Scottish migration during the 1800-1820 time period. The family lived for awhile in Warren Co Ohio, where daughter Elizabeth was married in 1820. In 1830 the family is found in Greene Twp. Clark Co OH and from there they came to Carroll County. Joseph acquired land in the Cherry Grove area. The 1840 Census of Carroll County shows Joseph and Eleanor and several members of the family with them. Joseph and Eleanor are buried in the Wolfe Cemetery, which is located in Freedom Twp. The inscriptions reads, "Laird, Sacred to the memory of Joseph Laird who died January 5, 1845 in his 74th year." and "Laird, Sacred to the memory of Eleanor, wife of Joseph Laird, who died January 21, 1845 in her 67th year."
Probate Record for Joseph Laird This is to authorize you, jointly to appraise the goods, chattel and personal estate of Joseph Laird, late of said county and state, deceased, so far as the same shall come to your sight and knowledge, each of you having first taken the oath here to annexed; a certificate whereof you are to return, annexed to an appraisement bill of said goods, chattel and personal estate, by you appraised, in dollars and cents. And in the said bill of appraisement you are to set down in a column or columns, opposite to each article the appraised the value thereof. Witness, Leonard Goss, Probate Justice of the Peace in and for said County, at his office in Mt. Carroll this 7th day of April A. D. 1845 his seal affixed, there being no office at seal provided.
The children of Joseph & Eleanor (Morrison) Laird are:
1. William R. Laird 23 October 1800 Scotland William Laird lived in Dearborn Co IN, where he died 12 August 1869. He was apparently married to Mary Cochran and Mary DeWitt.. Elizabeth Laird married Thomas Claton 12 October 1820 in OH. They had about 16 children. Susan Anna Laird married John Dakin 30 September 1830 in OH. Their family consisted of 8 children. James Laird married Anna Allen 22 May 1829 in OH. They settled with their family of 4 in Henry Co IA Alexander Laird married Jane Miller 21 June 1832 in OH. He settled in Jones Co IA Eleanor Laird married Joel Phares 28 October 1830 in Ohio, they moved to Caldwell Co MO Peter Laird Julia Lindsey 15 June 1843 - they moved to Kern Co CA
John Ernest Laird was first married to Elizabeth Beatty 13 October 1842 in Lanark, Carroll Co IL.
John & Elizabeth had two children William was married to Sarah Fannie Lattimore Woodside 23 February 1876 in Stephenson County IL. She was born 1850 in Ogle County., IL , and died 1884 in Freedom Twp., Carroll County., IL. William was a farmer in Carroll County. He helped to found the Sunday School Association at Mt. Carroll, IL in 1876, with Rev. Terrell the head of the organization committee. There seems to be confusion as to the wife/wives of William Laird. The marriage records of Stephenson Co IL definitely provides the date and place of his marriage to Sarah L. Woodside in 1876. So the children born prior to this must have a different mother. I'll leave it to the Researchers to hash this out. William's children are said to be; William b. 1871, Mary b 1873, Ida b 1875, Georgie b 1877 - 1879 buried in Keokuk Natl. Cemetery, Benjamin Franklin b 1879, Sarah Fannie b 1880 and Jessie Laird born and died 8 February 1884, Freedom Twp. Carroll Co IL. The Death certificate #2179 lists her parents as William R. Laird and Sarah Lattimore Woodside. Since Sarah died in 1884 as well I would assume that she died in childbirth? The headstone for Elizabeth Beatty Laird states she died April 13, 1845. A Letter written by Amanda Hallett in 1849 places her death as "last" November 1849 and the Portrait and Biographical of JoDaviess and Carroll Co also places it as November 1848. John Laird took for his second wife, Christiana Eshelman, whom he married on September 2, 1849. Sarah Ann Laird daughter of John Ernest was born April 11, 1854 in Lanark, Carroll Co., IL, and died March 05, 1885 in Lanark, Carroll Co., IL. Sarah Ann married Raoul A. Harwood February 01, 1883 in Lanark, Carroll Co., IL. The grave stone says Sarah Ann is age 31y 1m 6d. Lanark City Cemetery, Lanark, Carroll Co IL The Children of Sarah and Raoul Harwood are Francis L. Harwood born December 23, 1883, Lanark, Carroll Cty., IL; d. January 26, 1957, Lanark, Carroll Cty., IL. He is buried in the Lanark City Cemetery, block 8, lot 46. He was a 2nd Lt. US Army, WW I. His grave is marked with an American Legion marker IL 2nd Lt. US Army WWI; Anna Harwood, born Abt. 1858; d. Aft. 1938; m.to Mr. Delthelm.
In the name of God amen, I, C.A. Laird of the city of Lanark in the County of Carroll in the State of Illinois at the age of 82 years and being of sound mind and memory do hereby make, publish and declare this my LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT in manner following, that is to say: First it is my will that all my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid. Second- After the payment of my just debts I give and bequeath to each of my children, John E. Laird, James M. Laird, Joseph Laird, the sum of one dollar each Third - I give and bequeath to my grandchildren - Francis Harwood, Annie Harwood, B. Leroy Laird and Jessie Laird the sum of one dollar each. Fourth - All the balance and remainder of my property, personal and real, including closes in action, I give to my daughter Amelia Laird to own absolutely.
3..Abram Grimes Laird 17 May 1850, died in infancy ( have to wonder if this Abram is not the same as Abraham listed below since the birthdate doesn't jive with the marriage date) 4..James M. Laird December 1851, died in NE. Married Margaret Wiltsey in 1878 5..John E. Laird 1850 in Lanark, Carroll County, IL. Moved to WA 6..Sarah "Annie" Laird 11 April 1854 - 05 March 1885. Married Raoul Harwood. They were the parents of 2 children; Francis and Anna 7..Amelia Laird 25 November 1855. She died in Evanston IL 31 Jul 1905. She lived all of her life except the last year in Lanark. Amelia's mother, Christina, lived with her for several years before her death in 1904. Amelia took care of Sarah Annie (Laird) Harwood's children after Sarah Annie died in 1885. Amelia moved to Evanston, IL just one year before she died in order to take care of the children while they were in college. Funeral services were held in Evanston on August, 2, and her body was transported to Lanark for burial in the family plot. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Lanark. Her cause of death was complications from diabetes. Amelia never married. Her Obituary can be seen on the "Obituaries" page. 8..Abraham Laird 16 January 1859 - 5 August 1860, buried Wolfe Cemetery 9..Joseph Laird 1860, died 12 Jul 1937 in Lanark. Joseph is buried in the Lanark City Cemetery, Blk 8, Lot 47. There is an anecdotal story of a man who, when he was a child, lived with his parents in a house owned by Joseph Laird. When Joseph would come to collect the rent, the little boy would hide behind his mother's skirts and peer out at Joseph. Joseph wore a long black coat down to his ankles, and a black hat. He pounded on the door and had a loud voice. According to this individual, Joseph was a heavy drinker, and a very scary man! This, of course, is from the perspective of a child.
Obituary: Mr. Laird was of a retiring nature and was respected by all. He lived for the past number of years at what is now known as the Lanark Guest House. Within the past months he was practically helpless, being afflicted with dropsy. He was cared for by Joe Tanley in the above place until two months age when he was taken to the County Farm. Mr. Laird was on of a family of five of whom one brother and two sisters preceded him in death. James Laird of Superior, Nebraska Remains. Other relatives are: a niece, Mrs. Anna Harwood Delthelm and four nephews, Frank Laird, Francis Harwood, Joseph Laird and John E. Laird. He leaves a number of instant relative and acquaintances besides those mentioned above. A short funeral service was held at the cemetery, conducted by Rev. I. D. Leatherman, at 10 o'clock this (Wednesday) morning. Robert Royer sang two numbers, "When They Ring Those Golden Bells" and "Sunrise." ** Source: Lanark Gazetteer, Lanark, IL, Wednesday, July 14, 1937
Contributor of the Stories and information - Silver Parnel
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The Last Will & Testament of C.A. Laird of the city of Lanark in the County of Carroll in the State of Illinois made and published the 3rd day of January in the year of our Lord 1903.
