From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 923-924
 
OREN E. LADD.  It is often the case that when new blood is infused into the 
affairs of a community a vast improvement is noticed.  Old blood is slow and 
cold; young blood is warm and active, and the results very often surpass 
expectation.  It is true that people should not for trivial causes turn down 
the old because it is old and no other objection lying against it.  Neither 
should the new be adopted merely because it is new.  All that can be stated 
with certainty is that young blood in any old method of doing business is 
almost certain to bring about good and lasting results.  While Walworth county 
has seen many white-haired newcomers, whose experience and advice, wise 
counsel and cautious procedure have ever been of inestimable value in her 
affairs, it has been the young men who have redeemed it from the wilderness 
and made it what it is today, one of the foremost sections in the great Badger 
commonwealth.
 
Among those who came to Walworth county when it was new and did their part in 
developing the same was the father of Oren E. LADD, farmer of Sharon 
township.  The subject was born here on August 30, 1878.  He is the son of 
John and Miranda (DODGE) LADD, natives of the state of New York, where they 
grew to maturity and were married, emigrating to Walworth county, Wisconsin, 
in 1844, the father buying a small farm in Sharon township, which he later 
sold and bought another, thereby increasing his capital.  He bought other land 
and prospered and at the time of his death, on January 30, 1892, he was the 
owner of two hundred and fifty acres, which he brought up to a high state of 
improvement and cultivation and which is now run by his son, Oren E., of this 
sketch, and owned by the latter's mother.
 
The following children were born to John and Miranda LADD: John, who lives at 
Williams Bay, this county; Esther E. lives at home; Oren E., of this sketch; 
and Nathan Budlong, who lives in Austin, Texas.
 
Oren E. LADD grew upon the home farm here and made himself useful about the 
place when he reached proper age.  He received his education in the public 
schools of Sharon township and he has always lived on the home place operating 
the same now in an able and successful manner, carrying out the work his 
father inaugurated.  He has kept the land well tilled and the buildings well 
cared for.  Politically, he is a Republican.  He has remained unmarried.
 
Submitted by Carol