Ladd was born in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts on October 15, 1843. He was one of five children of Warren Ladd and Lucy Washburn Kingman.[1] The elder Ladd was involved in New Bedford city politics.
Herbert started his career after high school as a dry goods merchant. During the Civil War he became a reporter for the New Bedford Mercury newspaper, covering several Massachusetts regiments. At war's end, he returned to the dry goods business, first in Boston, then in Rhode Island. His firm was called Ladd and Davis, later renamed the H.W. Ladd Company.[2]
On May 25, 1870,[3] Ladd married Emma Burrows of Providence; she died in 1889,[4] just as her husband began his term as governor.[3] They had six children.[4] He was an active member of the Freemasons.[5]
GovernorEdit
1891 engraving
When Ladd first ran for governor in 1889, he was little-known in the state.[6] In a three-way race, he received fewer votes than Democrat John W. Davis. The third candidate, with the fewest votes, ran under the Prohibition Party. Under the rules of the time, if no candidate received an outright majority, the result was decided by the General Assembly.[7] The Republican-controlled Assembly chose Ladd.
In fact, Davis received more votes than Ladd three times, in 1889, 1890, and 1891, without winning a majority in any of the three races.[7] The Assembly decided in favor of Ladd twice (1889 and 1891) and for Davis in 1890.[7] The majority requirement was amended in November 1893 by the adoption of Amendment X to the Rhode Island Constitution, which allowed for a winner by plurality vote.[7] In later years, several governors would win the office with a plurality, including: Lincoln Almond in 1994 with 47%; Lincoln Chafee in 2010 with 36%; and Gina Raimondo in 2014 with 41%.
State House commissionEdit
In Ladd's first address as governor, he advocated for building a new State House.[4] Ladd was named chairman of the State House Commission.[1] The General Assembly announced an architectural competition for designs; however, Ladd and commission advisor Richard Morris Hunt decided they wanted Charles Follen McKim for the job, and made sure that he "won" the competition.[8] It was reported that Ladd paid a "considerable amount of money" out of his own pocket to help pay for the construction when the state was low on funds, and was never reimbursed for the monies.[6]
Good roadsEdit
Ladd, whose official State House portrait depicts him with a bicycle, was a supporter of the Good Roads Movement, a national road improvement initiative led by bicyclists. In 1892, Ladd wrote an essay for a League of American Wheelmen publication Good Roads outlining his belief that expanding and paving streets was as important to Rhode Island as having good railroads.[9]
In fall of 1889, Ladd invited business leaders to Providence to discuss the location of the upcoming World's Fair.[3]
Ladd authorized new uniforms for the Rhode Island state militia.[3]
Post-GovernorshipEdit
After serving two nonconsecutive terms, Ladd never ran again for public office.[6] He involved himself with several organizations. He founded and served as president for three years of the Commercial Club.[6] He was also president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.[6] He was a member of the YMCA, the Rhode Island Choral Association, the Board of Trade, the Providence Press Club, and the Hope Club.[6]
Herbert W. Ladd grave in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence.
Ladd died of a cerebral hemorrhage on November 30, 1913 after a long illness.[4][6] He was interred at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, Rhode Island.[11]
Honors and legacyEdit
The Ladd Laboratory, an agricultural research facility established at the University of Rhode Island in 1891, was named for Governor Ladd.[12]
In 1889, at the 121st Commencement of Brown University, Ladd announced that he would donate an astronomical observatory to the school.[6] The expected cost was US$25,000, but the building reportedly cost over US$40,000,[6] equivalent to $1,300,000 in 2022. The Ladd Observatory, completed in 1891, is named in his honor.[13]
Ladd received an honorary Master of Arts Degree from Brown University in 1892.[4][6]
ReferencesEdit
^ abThe New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1896 (reprinted 1998 ed.). Heritage Books. 1896. p. 98. ISBN9780788408656. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
^"Rhode Island Governor Herbert Warren Ladd". National Governors Association. National Governors Association. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
^ abcdeBayles, Richard Mather (1891). History of Providence County, Rhode Island. Providence, Rhode Island: W. W. Preston. pp. 728–731.
^ abcde"Death Notices: Herbert W. Ladd". Brown Alumni Monthly. 14 (6): 165. January 1914. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
^"The Political Graveyard: Freemasons, politicians, Rhode Island".
^ abcdefghijk"Herbert W. Ladd, Ex-Governor, Dead". Providence, Rhode Island: The Providence Sunday Journal. November 30, 1913. p. 1.
^ abcdConley, Patrick T. (2011). The Rhode Island State Constitution. USA: Oxford University Press. p. 154. ISBN9780199877768. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
^Windham, Ryder (2006). You Know You're in Rhode Island When... Globe Pequot. p. 84. ISBN9780762739400. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
^Ladd, Herbert (July 1892). "A Typical Case". Good Roads: An Illustrated Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Improvement of Public Roads and Streets. Roads Improvement Bureau of the League of American Wheelmen. 2 (1): 1–3. Retrieved May 21, 2015. I am a strong believer in good roads
^Infinite Radius: Founding Rhode Island School of Design. Rhode Island School of Design. 2008. p. 12. ISBN978-0-9822979-0-2.
^"Governor Herbert W. Ladd (1843 - 1913), Papers of, 1872-1912". State of Rhode Island. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
^University of Rhode Island – URI History and Timeline 2013-01-30 at the Wayback Machine at www.uri.edu
^Mitchell, Martha (1993). "Ladd Observatory". Encyclopedia Brunoniana. Providence, RI: Brown University Library.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Herbert W. Ladd.
herbert, ladd, herbert, warren, ladd, october, 1843, november, 1913, 40th, 42nd, governor, rhode, island, terms, 1889, 1891, herbert, warren, laddofficial, portrait, state, house, note, bicycle, seat, visible, ladd, left, 40th, governor, rhode, islandin, offic. Herbert Warren Ladd October 15 1843 November 29 1913 was the 40th and 42nd Governor of Rhode Island for two terms 1889 90 and 1891 92 Herbert Warren LaddOfficial portrait in the RI State House Note the bicycle seat visible to Ladd s left 40th Governor of Rhode IslandIn office May 28 1889 May 26 1890LieutenantDaniel LittlefieldPreceded byRoyal C TaftSucceeded byJohn W Davis42nd Governor of Rhode IslandIn office May 26 1891 May 31 1892LieutenantHenry A StearnsPreceded byJohn W DavisSucceeded byDaniel Russell BrownPresident of Rhode Island School of DesignIn office 1891 1896Personal detailsBorn 1843 10 15 October 15 1843New Bedford Bristol County Massachusetts U S DiedNovember 29 1913 1913 11 29 aged 70 Cause of deathcerebral hemorrhageResting placeSwan Point CemeteryPolitical partyRepublicanSpouseEmma BurrowsParent s Warren Ladd and Lucy Washburn KingmanProfessionDry goods merchant PoliticianSignature Contents 1 Life and career 2 Governor 2 1 State House commission 2 2 Good roads 2 3 Other achievements 3 Post Governorship 4 Death 5 Honors and legacy 6 References 7 External linksLife and career EditLadd was born in New Bedford Bristol County Massachusetts on October 15 1843 He was one of five children of Warren Ladd and Lucy Washburn Kingman 1 The elder Ladd was involved in New Bedford city politics Herbert started his career after high school as a dry goods merchant During the Civil War he became a reporter for the New Bedford Mercury newspaper covering several Massachusetts regiments At war s end he returned to the dry goods business first in Boston then in Rhode Island His firm was called Ladd and Davis later renamed the H W Ladd Company 2 On May 25 1870 3 Ladd married Emma Burrows of Providence she died in 1889 4 just as her husband began his term as governor 3 They had six children 4 He was an active member of the Freemasons 5 Governor Edit 1891 engravingWhen Ladd first ran for governor in 1889 he was little known in the state 6 In a three way race he received fewer votes than Democrat John W Davis The third candidate with the fewest votes ran under the Prohibition Party Under the rules of the time if no candidate received an outright majority the result was decided by the General Assembly 7 The Republican controlled Assembly chose Ladd In fact Davis received more votes than Ladd three times in 1889 1890 and 1891 without winning a majority in any of the three races 7 The Assembly decided in favor of Ladd twice 1889 and 1891 and for Davis in 1890 7 The majority requirement was amended in November 1893 by the adoption of Amendment X to the Rhode Island Constitution which allowed for a winner by plurality vote 7 In later years several governors would win the office with a plurality including Lincoln Almond in 1994 with 47 Lincoln Chafee in 2010 with 36 and Gina Raimondo in 2014 with 41 State House commission Edit In Ladd s first address as governor he advocated for building a new State House 4 Ladd was named chairman of the State House Commission 1 The General Assembly announced an architectural competition for designs however Ladd and commission advisor Richard Morris Hunt decided they wanted Charles Follen McKim for the job and made sure that he won the competition 8 It was reported that Ladd paid a considerable amount of money out of his own pocket to help pay for the construction when the state was low on funds and was never reimbursed for the monies 6 Good roads Edit Ladd whose official State House portrait depicts him with a bicycle was a supporter of the Good Roads Movement a national road improvement initiative led by bicyclists In 1892 Ladd wrote an essay for a League of American Wheelmen publication Good Roads outlining his belief that expanding and paving streets was as important to Rhode Island as having good railroads 9 Other achievements Edit During the summer of 1889 Ladd hosted president Harrison and ex president Cleveland in Newport 3 6 In fall of 1889 Ladd invited business leaders to Providence to discuss the location of the upcoming World s Fair 3 Ladd authorized new uniforms for the Rhode Island state militia 3 Post Governorship EditAfter serving two nonconsecutive terms Ladd never ran again for public office 6 He involved himself with several organizations He founded and served as president for three years of the Commercial Club 6 He was also president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 6 He was a member of the YMCA the Rhode Island Choral Association the Board of Trade the Providence Press Club and the Hope Club 6 From 1891 to 1896 Ladd served as the President of Rhode Island School of Design 10 Death Edit Herbert W Ladd grave in Swan Point Cemetery Providence Ladd died of a cerebral hemorrhage on November 30 1913 after a long illness 4 6 He was interred at Swan Point Cemetery Providence Rhode Island 11 Honors and legacy EditThe Ladd Laboratory an agricultural research facility established at the University of Rhode Island in 1891 was named for Governor Ladd 12 In 1889 at the 121st Commencement of Brown University Ladd announced that he would donate an astronomical observatory to the school 6 The expected cost was US 25 000 but the building reportedly cost over US 40 000 6 equivalent to 1 300 000 in 2022 The Ladd Observatory completed in 1891 is named in his honor 13 Ladd received an honorary Master of Arts Degree from Brown University in 1892 4 6 References Edit a b The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 1896 reprinted 1998 ed Heritage Books 1896 p 98 ISBN 9780788408656 Retrieved May 21 2015 Rhode Island Governor Herbert Warren Ladd National Governors Association National Governors Association Retrieved January 24 2015 a b c d e Bayles Richard Mather 1891 History of Providence County Rhode Island Providence Rhode Island W W Preston pp 728 731 a b c d e Death Notices Herbert W Ladd Brown Alumni Monthly 14 6 165 January 1914 Retrieved May 21 2015 The Political Graveyard Freemasons politicians Rhode Island a b c d e f g h i j k Herbert W Ladd Ex Governor Dead Providence Rhode Island The Providence Sunday Journal November 30 1913 p 1 a b c d Conley Patrick T 2011 The Rhode Island State Constitution USA Oxford University Press p 154 ISBN 9780199877768 Retrieved May 22 2015 Windham Ryder 2006 You Know You re in Rhode Island When Globe Pequot p 84 ISBN 9780762739400 Retrieved May 21 2015 Ladd Herbert July 1892 A Typical Case Good Roads An Illustrated Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Improvement of Public Roads and Streets Roads Improvement Bureau of the League of American Wheelmen 2 1 1 3 Retrieved May 21 2015 I am a strong believer in good roads Infinite Radius Founding Rhode Island School of Design Rhode Island School of Design 2008 p 12 ISBN 978 0 9822979 0 2 Governor Herbert W Ladd 1843 1913 Papers of 1872 1912 State of Rhode Island Retrieved March 26 2014 University of Rhode Island URI History and Timeline Archived 2013 01 30 at the Wayback Machine at www uri edu Mitchell Martha 1993 Ladd Observatory Encyclopedia Brunoniana Providence RI Brown University Library External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Herbert W Ladd The Political GraveyardParty political officesPreceded byRoyal C Taft Republican nominee for Governor of Rhode Island1889 1890 1891 Succeeded byDaniel Russell BrownPolitical officesPreceded byRoyal C Taft Governor of Rhode Island1889 1890 Succeeded byJohn W DavisPreceded byJohn W Davis Governor of Rhode Island1891 1892 Succeeded byDaniel Russell Brown Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Herbert W Ladd amp oldid 1136201176, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
