MINOT — Eda Tripp of the Minot Historical Society recently briefed the Hebron Historical Society on the life of one-time local resident and world famous peace advocate William Ladd.

Ladd, of New Hampshire, graduated from Harvard University in 1797 at age 19. His parents wanted him to become a doctor, but he pursued the shipping industry and became a sea captain at age 20. He earned a fortune in the mercantile trade business.

He later turned to farming in Virginia and Florida but gave that up due to workforce issues, and went back to the sea and became successful again. But with the looming onset of the War of 1812, he moved to his family’s homestead on Center Minot Hill. Here he became a successful farmer, and had over 1,000 sheep at one point.

After a meeting with the president of Bowdoin College, Ladd became deeply involved with the anti-war peace movement and soon formed the Peace Society of Minot. As a devout Christian he also became a clergyman, which assisted him in promoting his peace initiatives. His efforts gained notoriety and this led to the formation of the American Peace Society in 1828, of which he became the president. He traveled around the world discussing peace issues. His writings earned the attention of John Quincy Adams and Daniel Webster.

His peace efforts influenced the formation of the Congress of Nations and the League of Nations, which eventually evolved into the United Nations in 1945.

A plaque commemorating Ladd is on a boulder in front of the Minot Center Church.

The next event is a joint meeting with the Minot Historical Society at the West Minot Grange Hall at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27. There will be a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. Retired Game Warden John Ford and retired State Trooper Mark Nickerson will speak on the lighter side of their law enforcement experience. The public is invited.