History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p.1152

James William Ladd, County Treasurer; was born at Campton, N. H., May 5, 1838; lived there until May, 1845, when his parents, with their family, removed to bEaver Dam, Dodge Co., Wis., where they resided until October, 1846, when they came to what is now the town of Menasha, Winnebago Co., where his father, James Ladd, pre-empted his present farm in the spring of 1846; James William Ladd was reared on the farm, graduated from Lawrence University, at Appleton, in June, 1862; subsequently taught school for nearly a year at South Beaver Dam, and then went to Kansas, where he was employed for a short time as Special Deputy to the United States Marshal; in October, 1863, he went to Fort Larned, and was chief clerk in a mercantile establishment and the post office for eighteen months; from 1865 to Jan. 1, 1867, he was Postmaster at Fort Dodge, and was also engaged in the mercantile business there during that period; in January, 1867, he returned to Menasha and engaged in the grocery trade in partnership with his brother Christopher; he continued in that business until the fall of 1879; he was City Clerk and Overseer of the city poor of Menasha for several years, and Justice of the Peace one year prior to entering upon the duties of County Treasurer Jan. 1, 1833; he was prominently identified with the school interests of Menasha for several years, and was a member of the School Board for some time; he is President of the Alumni Association of Lawrence University, and is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery; also of I. O. O. F. Lodge and Encampment. He was married at Evanston, Ill., May 20, 1874, to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of A.B. Jackson, one of the pioneer settlers at Kenosha, Wis.; she was born in the town of Bristol, Kenosha Co., Wis.; they have one son living- Andrew B. Jackson, born in April, 1878; lost one daughter- Florence; she was born June 10, 1875, and died May 18, 1877. Mr. Ladd's father was born at Sudbury, Vt., in 1799, and first came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1844; he is a vigorous and active man now, personally looking after his farming interests; his wife, Charity Willey, was born at Campton, Grafton Co., N.H., in January, 1804, and died in December, 1864.