Catherine Lydia Ladd
18 April 1849, Winnsboro, S.C. - 5 June 1921, Pickens Co., S.C.
Pickens Sunrise Cemetery
Recollections and Reminiscences 1861 – 1865 through World War I,
Volume Six, South Carolina Division United Daughters of the Confederacy. 1995, pp. 174-175.
Katherine Ladd Cureton – Honorary Member Pickens Chapter, U.D.C.
by Vesta McFall
Katherine Lydia Ladd, daughter of Geo. W. and Catherine Stratton Ladd, was born in Winnsboro, S.C. April 18, 1849. Her father, Geo. W. Ladd, was a portrait and miniature painter of reputation. Her mother, Catherine Stratton Ladd, was a woman of much literary ability, a noted teacher, and an ardent lover of the Southland. She gave her time and her means to the support of the Confederacy. Thus Mrs. Cureton inherited her talent for the artistic and love for her country for which she was well noted. Her old fashioned flower garden was one of the sweet spots of Pickens and with her flowers and cheery words she brightened a day for many a friend or passerby.
She married Dr. J. D. Cureton Oct. 19, 1866. Dr. Cureton was among the first volunteers at the beginning of the War Between the States. He was First Lieut. Of Co. G, 6th S.C.V.’s He was in service at Charleston during the bombardment of Ft. Sumter. Later he was sent to Virginia with his regiment, arriving in time to see the close of the first Battle of Bull Run. He was promoted to a Captaincy at the Battle of Seven Pines. Dr. Cureton was of Revolutionary ancestry, his forefathers having taken an active part in the War of Independence.
Mrs. Cureton was a native of Winnsboro and lived there during the trying days of the war and those following. She could tell thrilling stories of those days. They seemed to be indelibly impressed on her mind.
In 1889 Dr. Cureton brought his family to Pickens to make their home. From that time they were identified with all progressive movements and local interests of the town. In 1903 when the organization of a U.D.C. Chapter was agitated, Mrs. Cureton was immediately interested and worked with others until a chapter was secured and, so long as she lived, gave generous help to the Cause. Though through her last years her strength did not permit much activity, she retained her interest in U.D.C. work and her connection with the Chapter as an honorary member until she passed away June 5, 1921.
The following lines seem most appropriate to describe the close of such a life as that of Mrs. Cureton:
“Happy their end
Who vanish down life’s evening stream
Placid as swans that drift in dream
Round the next river bend,
Happy long life with honor at its close”
Source: Pickens Chapter U.D.C., Pickens, S.C.
Return to Catherine Stratton Ladd (1808-1899)
4 August 2002, Brian Brown