Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 2. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 68.

	JOHN MALDON LAIDY is the owner of valuable and desirable property in Baker
and also has ranching and mining interests in this part of the state.  He makes
his home at No. 2805 Washington avenue and from this point directs his business
affairs which, intelligently managed, are bringing to him a gratifying measure
of prosperity.  He has been a witness of the growth and development of the
northwest for almost fifty-eight years and is, therefore, largely familiar with
the history of this section of the country as it has emerged from pioneer
conditions and taken on all of the advantages of a modern civilization.  He was
born in Clarke county, Washington, September 25, 1854, his parents being Joseph
and Nancy Caroline (Milton) Laidy.  The father was a native of Georgia and the
mother’s birth occurred in eastern Tennessee, March 11, 1820.  They were married
in Missouri, and unto them were born two children, the elder being Tennessee
Nevada, now the deceased with of Dr. Taft.  By a former marriage the father had
three daughters, Mrs. Jane Jamieson, living in Vancouver, Washington; Mrs. Ann
Elizabeth Parker; and Mrs. Candace Files, both now deceased.  In the year 1853
Joseph Laidy came with his family to the northwest, traveling with ox teams from
Bates county, Missouri, to Clarke county, Washington, where he secured a
donation land claim twelve miles east and north of Vancouver.  There he resided
until 1856, when the Indians became so troublesome that the family left their
claim and sought safety at Fort Vancouver.  While there the father became ill
and passed away in the fort, April 14, 1856, when forty-seven years of age.  The
mother afterward settled in Washington county, Oregon, where she became the wife
of W. C. Rugh, there residing until about 1864, when a removal was made to
Umatilla county.  In 1869 the family came to Baker county, where they lived for
about thirteen years, or until 1882, when they took up their abode in the county
seat.  There the mother of our subject died, in October, 1906.  The two children
of her second marriage are Mrs. A. A. Deally, of Baker, and Abra May, now
deceased.
	John M. Laidy remained with his mother during the various removals until the
family home was established in Baker.  He has since resided in this city at No.
2805 Washington avenue.  In addition to this property he owns one hundred and
sixty acres of land twelve miles east of Baker and his ranching interest bring
to him a substantial financial return.  He owns a half interest in the
Intermountain mine, which is a well developed quartz property, from which has
been taken a considerable amount of gold.  Mr. Laidy also owns a business block
in Baker and a number of dwellings which re rents, his realty possessions
contributing largely to his annual income.
	On the 20th of May, 1890, Mr. Laidy was married in Pendleton, Oregon, to
Miss Ella B. Grey, who was born in Bentonville, Arkansas, November 25, 1858.  On
coming to the coast she first lived in California and afterward made her way to
Oregon.  Mr. Laidy belongs to the Woodmen of the World, but has never cared to
figure prominently in political or fraternal connections.  He and his wife have
gained many friends during their residence in Baker and he well deserves mention
in this volume as one of the honored pioneer settlers of the state within the
borders of which he has now lived for almost fifty-eight years.  Time and man
have wrought many changes during this period and in almost any section of the
state may now be seen the advantages of a progressive civilization.  There is
comparatively little unclaimed and undeveloped land and the efforts of such men
as Mr. Laidy have brought about the present-day progress and prosperity.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2015 by Dale Givens, odg -at-
hiwaay.net.

More information can be found at:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=bakerco&id=I28882