Topic starter
13/11/2006 2:49 pm
Dear Steamboating colleagues:
The 'file' on 'Commodore' Capt. Frederick Alexander Laidley surfaced here with much digging and rooting.
* * * * * * * *
Born at Maple Grove, January 28, 1841, where the town of Huntington, W. Va., now stands. He was a son of James M. Laidley, prominent attorney and member of the Virginia Legislature [*His family was prominent socially, politically, financially]. In 1858 he entered in the salt business on the river above Charleston which required him frequently to visit Cincinnati as salt was much in need for meat packing and various other enterprises. In August, 1864, he was clerk on the Str. ANNIE LAURIE [*WAY'S PACKET DIRECTORY Entry No. 0292 Pg. 25], advancing rapidly to captain in a year and remained on the LAURIE for three years. In July, 1866, as captain of the LAURIE a virulent strain of Cholera broke out with the engineer and a number of passengers. Panic ensued and Laidley was compelled to remain on duty to keep the boat in operation and prevent mass panic and desertion. Arriving in Charleston he suffered a complete physical collapse and later read of his own death notice in Cincinnati papers.
In 1867 Laidley settled in Cincinnati as agent for the Kanawha Salt Company and entered the commission business. In 1873 he entered the pork packing business and took over until the company was disbanded in 1896. In 1886 he became a prime stockholder of the LOUISVILLE & CINCINNATI PACKET CO. and since 1891 the general manager/treasurer. At this time the company operates the CITY OF LOUISVILLE, CITY OF CINCINNATI, INDIANA. Other interests and companies under his interest and investment are:
Common Carrier Co.
Louisville and Evansville Transportation Co.
President, Consolidated Boat Store, Cincinnati
President, Licking Coal & Towboat Co.
Partner, Dawson & Blackmore, commission business.
In 1881 Laidley loaded the first train of freight to leave Cincinnati over the 'Cincinnati Southern Railroad' with twenty-six cars loaded with meat for the south. He pioneered new advertising techniques and each car was emblazoned with large signs the contents being shipped. In time he dominated the meat business in Indianapolis and surrounding region. He is a staunch member of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce holding certificate No. 2 as a member since 1867.
In 1866 Capt. Laidley married Julia A. Rooke, of Maden, W. Va. Four children have been born of this union: Frederick Rooke, Elsie Louise, who married A. S. Moore; Mary B. and Marguerite. He is also a member of the Queen City Club, Pelee Fishing Club and the Kentucky Shooting and Fishing Club, Ryland Station, Ky. He and his family reside in a beautiful home in Covington Ky., which is a center of hospitality, where friends and acquaintances find a cordial welcome. He is recognized as a man of unimpeachable integrity, generous, kind-hearted, and competent to make a success of anthing he undrtakes. He represents the best type of American citizenship and his name ever be honorably associated with the history of his adopted city. END
*The above from CINCINNATI THE QUEEN CITY, 1788-1912 Vol III, S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., Chicago and Cincinnati. In time I'll post Laidley's own memories of his career. Above slightly edited for basic facts.
Cheers,
R. Dale Flick
13/11/2006 7:07 pm
Dale, this is great stuff. Please, keep it coming. Now my question is, was Licking Coal and Towboat Co. competition to the coal company which the Commodore's neighbors the Shinkles ran, and the Common Carrier Co, was that the official name of Laidley's Cincinnati to Memphis trade holdings?
Topic starter
13/11/2006 7:37 pm
Hi, Frank:
Not totally clear with facts on your above corporate question Re: 'Commodore' Laidley and the Shikle/Common Carrier etc. It'll take some digging here. Tom Schiffer and Capt. Don Sanders may know on their end.
I sorta...vaguely...recall that Laidley sold out on the Cincinnati-Memphis run with boats long about 1914. He saw the end coming for the long distance big packet runs and focused more on Louisville-Cincinnati. The famed LEE LINE did run here using the facilities of the Big Sandy Wharfboat.
Laidley was one slick, big operator in the sentiment of the 'Gilded Age.' So much more needs to be researched on him. Old Laidley wasn't in the steamboat business for the 'romance' of it, for sure. He'd dicker for even the simplest of supplies, materials and fittings for his boats. If there was a valve for a boat he needed he'd bounce one Cincinnati company building steamboat engines etc. off the other to save $2.85. That's the way they did business back then. Ellis Mace, according to his book, liked and got along with Laidley. He was one man I would have liked to have met even for just once. Wish now I had asked Albert Kelley more questions and dug deeper way back then. Too late now.
Cheers,
R. Dale Flick
13/11/2006 8:33 pm
Yes, Dale, that's a good point about the Lee Line. Some time during the early 1900's they did operate in the Cincinnati - Memphis trade. My guess is that they were probably the last to do so.
14/11/2006 4:45 pm
Thanks, Dale, for the CINCINNATI: THE QUEEN CITY reference. As the students I teach say nowadays, you guys "rock,"
Paul
14/11/2006 5:34 pm
Sorry to repeat myself, but the Honorable Bernie Moorman, residing at the Amos Shinkle B&B, Covington, is the most knowledgeable Laidley "expert" that I have talked to. I'm sure FXP knows Bernie, if not, then I'm certain that Mr. Moorman would welcome his acquaintance, and be more than happy to share his knowledge of the Commodore and his oft bizarre family.