History of Pope County, Arkansas by Pope County Historical Association (Copied by Katie Murdock, Pope County Library--transcribed for submission to Ladd Digging Grounds by Janet Newell, 1998)

#446 James Ladd

James Ladd came to Arkansas as a youth from Ladd Cove, near Monteagle, Tennessee where he was born about 1835. His father, Terrill Ladd went to Tennessee from Alabama, descended from Amos Ladd III, who moved to Alabama from North Carolina. Amos Ladd, Jr. went to North Carolina from Virginia, the birthplace of Amos Ladd, Sr. The father of Amos, Sr. was John Ladd who moved to Norfork County, Virginia from England in 1673.

James Ladd married Artnecia Miller in Yell County, Arkansas. They settled in Martin Township in Pope County, Arkansas prior to the Civil War. After service in the Confederate Army, he owned 90 acres of land in Martin Township that became known as Ladd Community and where the Ladd School was located. Six children were born to James and Artnecia Ladd. They were Sarah, Amanda, Anna Frances, Emeline, George Washington, and James Franklin.

James Ladd was a successful farmer and land owner according to the Courthouse records of his will of January 14, 1877, and the appraisement of this personal property dated February 26, 1877, following his death. His death was caused by exposure on a bear hunt and followed the death of his wife Artnecia. They are buried at the Old Lake Cemetery near Dover.

James and Artnecia Ladd, left, along with four older daughters, two small sons, George and Jim who were born in the early 1870's. Jim died as a young adult near Dallas, Texas. George lived with an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Sloan, in Yell County, until he was 12 years old. He then lived with his sisters and brothers-in-law, Sarah and Dave George in Yell County and Amanda and George Ragsdale in Pope County until he was an adult. His education was made possible with the help of Steele Hays, a Pope County teacher and lawyer who became his mentor and life-long friend. He married Nora Ann Howard, daughter of Joseph and Frances Howard, who came to Arkansas from Georgia, served in the Confederate Army and also
served in the Arkansas Legislature in the late 1890's.

George Ladd also became a successful farmer and businessman and served two terms as Sheriff of Johnson County. As a person, he was regarded as a sensitive and generous man. George and Nora Howard Ladd, along with their two sons, Norried who died in infancy and Raymond who died as a young adult, are buried at Annies Chapel Cemetery in Johnson County.

In 1978 James and Artnecia Ladd have four living grandchildren. These are: Eunice Ladd Page, daughter of George and Nora Howard Ladd; Ernest and Willard Ragsdale of Dover, and John Ragsdale of Oklahoma, all sons of Amanda Ladd and George Ragsdale. (By John M. Page)

[In James' will he states that his sister Francis Ladd would have sole control of his son James Franklin Ladd until he was of legal age. JN]

submitted by:Janet Newell
June 20, 1998