Clarinda Laird ¹

   Another name for Clarinda was Clara Laird.^{4 5}

   FamilySearch ID: LK9Z-3M3.

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Letter: Letter written by Miss Clara Laird (deceased daughter of Christina (Beeker) and William Laird. Letter given to Audry M, Sanson by Anna (Laird) McMullen, 214 First Avenue S.W., Lagro, Florida. Audry descends from Anna Beeker<John & Christina Beeker. John and Christena Beeker left North Carolina in the year 1805, landing in Washington Co. Grandmother Beeker had three sisters, two brothers father and mother. They all came north together. There were five families together traveling in wagons. Some on horse-back. Several of Grandfather's people (sister) came at the same time They were near Martinsburg, that was their nearest town. The oldest child died and was buried there. She was born in North Carolina. The rest of the family with the exception of William and Christena were all born in Washington Co. They then decided to come further north in April in the year 1828. They first went to the Grand Prairie. They began getting the timbers ready to build the log cabin. Then Grandmother went out where grandfather was chopping and she told him she could not live there, it made her home-sick. So, he ask her how she would like that place down on Pretty Prairie as it was for sale stock and all. So she thought it would be alright. But grandfather heard they were going to run it pretty high, so he knew of a man living at Logansport who was guardian for some children and had money to loan, so grandfather put the saddle and saddle-bags on his horse and went to see him. He came home with the old saddle bags full of money. The sale came off and he did not need the money. So next day he took it back as there were no notes given. His word was as good as a note. Their oldest daughter Barbara Beeker Pruitt was married down there. She was only 17 years when married and she had two children born there. She came north with her parents also. So that was known as the old Beeker homestead for a number of years.

2. She has conflicting birth information of Her listing on Find-A-Grave has 13 Nov but on her death certificate her brother reported 12 Nov, 13 Nov 1861 and Otterbein, Benton, IN. ¹

3. Census in 1870 in Bolivar Township, Benton, IN. ⁶ The 1870 census recorded George Laird, farmer, 37, living with wife Christina, 36; Oley Ann, 13; Lenard, 12; Clarinda, 8; Ida, 6; and twins Elmer and Elmira, 1. Everyone was born in Indiana. George's real estate is valued at $1400 and personal estate $400. Next door is Christina's brother, William Beeker, farmer, 39, with his family living on an real estate valued at $10,000. The post office was Pond Grove.

4. Census in 1880 in Bolivar Township, Benton, IN. ⁷ The 1880 census recorded Christenia Laird, 46, living with daughter Orlean, 23; Leonard, farming, 21; Clarinda, 18; Ida, 16; Elmer, 11; and Frank, 7. Christenia was born in Indiana and her parents in North Carolina. Orlean and Leonard were born in Ilinois, their father in Ohio and mother in Indiana. Clarina, Ida, Elmer and Frank and their mother were born in Indiana, their father in Ohio.

5. Census in 1900 in Otterbein, Benton, IN. ⁸ The 1900 census recorded Leonard Laird, hardware merchant, widowed, 69, born Jul 1859, living with his children: Delbert, 11, Aug 1888; Annie, 10, Jan 1890; E. Raymond, 9, Feb 1891. Also in the home is his sister, Clarinda Laird, servant, 38, Nov 1861.
Leonard and Clarinda were born in Illinois, their father in Ohio and mother in Indiana. Their children were born in Illinois and their mother in Indiana.

6. Census in 1910 in Otterbein, Benton, IN. ⁹ The 1910 census recorded owning a home: Christina Laird, widowed, 76, living with daughter Clara, 48. Neitehr had an occupation. Christina was born in Indiana and her parents in North Carolina. Clara and her mother were born in Indiana and her father in Ohio.

7. Census in 1920 in Otterbein, Benton, IN. ¹⁰ The 1920 census recorded owning a home on Oxford street: Christena Laird, widowed, 86, living with her daughter, Clarinda, single, dressmaker at home, 58, both born in Indiana. Christena's parents were born in North Carolina. Clarinda's father was born in Ohio and mother in Indiana.

8. Residence: on 11 Jun 1923 in Otterbein, Benton, IN. ⁵

9. Newspaper: Journal and Courier: Otterbein News: Leonard Laird and grandchildren Eleanor and Betty Jane Laird, spent the week-end with Miss Clara Laird and Elmer Laird and family., 8 Jul 1927, Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ¹¹

10. Obituary: on 14 Jan 1928 in Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ¹² Word was received here of the sudden death of Dr. Delbert Laird, of Chicago, due to heart trouble. Dr. Laird was a former resident here and was well known.
miss Clara Laird returned Sunday from Chicago where she attented the funeral of her nephew, Dr. D. H. Laird.

11. Census in 1940 in Otterbein, Benton, IN. ¹³ The 1940 census recorded owning an $800 home in Otterbein: Clara Laird, single, 78, retired seamstress, living with her brother, Leonard Laird, retired salesman, 81. She was born in Indiania and he is Illinois.

12. Cause of Death: accident, mutilated body, hit by rail road train, 23 May 1947, Otterbein, Benton, IN. ²

13. Obituary: Journal and Courier: Otterbein Woman Is Killed by Train on 24 May 1947 in Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ¹⁴ ---
Otterbein Woman Is Killed by Train
---
OTTERBEIN, May 24. Miss Clara Laird, 85, was killed Friday afternoon at 4:30 when she walked into the path of eastbound New York Central passenger train No. 706 at a crossing near the railroad station. Her hearing was impaired, and it is believed she did not see nor hear the train. Born in Benton county, she was for many years secretary of the Otterbein O. E. S. and was a 50-year member of that organization. She also belonged to the Methodist church. Surviving is a brother, Elmer Laird, Otterbein. Deputy Coroner John Hooker of Fowler investigated.