Washington

LAIRD, Fred Leslie

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, p 289

Fred Leslie LAIRD, attorney, Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont], was 
born 26 September 1860 at Plainfield [Washington County], Vermont, a son of 
the late Henry Sperry LAIRD and Van Lora S. LAIRD. His paternal grandfather, 
John LAIRD, a farmer at Woodbury [Washington County], Vermont, was twice 
married. Joseph, the only child by his first wife, is deceased. He [John 
LAIRD] married for his second wife, Eliza DAVIS, who bore him twelve 
children: Henry Sperry, Loren, James, John, Lemuel, Cynthia, Lucretia, 
Hattie, Eliza, Sarah, Mary, and Dorothy. Henry Sperry LAIRD was born 19 July 
1831 in Woodbury [Washington County], Vermont, and died 02 August 1899 in 
Marshfield [Washington County], Vermont.

As a young man he [Henry Sperry LAIRD] engaged in the lumber business at 
Plainfield, Vermont, remaining there until 1869, when he removed to 
Marshfield, where he owned and operated an extensive business in the 
manufacturing of lumber, being one of the leading business men of the place 
for many years. He served his townsmen in various offices of trust and 
responsibility; was representative from the town of Marshfield to the state 
legislature in 1886. In 1858 he [Henry Sperry LAIRD] married Van Lora 
DWINELL, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah DWINELL of Marshfield, and a 
granddaughter of William and Ruth DWINELL, who in the early part of the 
nineteenth century came to Marshfield, Vermont, from New Hampshire. Four 
children were born of this union [Henry Sperry and Van Lora S. LAIRD]: Harry 
L. (a farmer and lumber dealer of Marshfield), Fred Leslie, Hattie (who died 
at the age of eleven months), and a boy who died in infancy.

Fred Leslie LAIRD received his diploma from Montpelier Seminary in 1880; 
graduated from Dartmouth College, class of 1884. Subsequently studied law 
with Joseph A. WING, of Montpelier, for one year, and then served in 
1885-1886 as deputy county clerk for Washington County. The following year 
he continued his studies in the office of S. C. SHURTLIFF, of Montpelier; 
admitted to the bar in October 1887; since that time has been engaged in the 
practice of law in Montpelier. He has served in many official capacities; in 
1900-1901-1902 was a member of the municipal board of aldermen, representing 
Ward Four. Republican. On 19 November 1888 Mr. [Fred Leslie] LAIRD was 
married to [Miss] Nellie COX, of Randolph [Kennebec County], Maine, a daughter of 
Barnett A. and Victoria L. (BAILEY) COX. Of their union five children have 
been born: Albert Cox, Henry Sperry, Frederick Leslie Jr., James Tyler, and 
Joseph DeBoer.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly