James William Laidlaw, Sr.

Emigrated to Canada in 1819

Gravestone inscription reads: Born in Ettrick Forest, Scotland, died Feb 13, 1829 aged 66 years. His wife, Helen Scott, born in Ettrick Forest, Scotland, died June 25, 1800 aged 33 yrs.

James Laidlaw (1765-1829) was the founder of the Laidlaw family in Upper Canada when he emigrated from Scotland in 1818 with his daughter Mary (1791-1847), his brother, Andrew (1794-1874) and his wife, Agnes settling first in York County, but then relocated further west to the Scotch Block of Esquesing Township in the Halton hills.. James Laidlaw's other son, Robert (1792-1886) remained in Scotland while another son William (1798-1839) later emigrated to Joliet, Illinois. Walter married Margaret Robertson (1810-1844) in 1828 in Canada. Apart from Robert (1837-1929), their other children were Ellen (1828-1910), James (1830-1913), Katherine (1833-1899), Alexander (1835-1865), William (1839-1923), Duncan (1841-1906), Margaret (1842-1919), and baby Walter who died shortly after birth (1844).

In addition to his own children, Robert Laidlaw adopted his nephew, Walter Laidlaw (1861-?), who was the son of his brother, Alexander. Walter, who became Rev. Dr. Walter Laidlaw, was the Executive Secretary of the New York Federation of Churches, Registrar of the Clergy Club of New York and Neighbourhood, Director and Executive Secretary of the New York City Census Committee of 1920 and 1924, and the Editor of "Greater New York, 1910". In 1926, the Rev. Dr. was the supervisor of the State of New York Census.

R. A. Laidlaw was the only one of Robert's four children to marry: in 1913 he wed Julia Cayley (18-?-1961), a great-niece of John Beverley Robinson. Their children were Katherine (1914-1993), Robert Gordon Nicholas (RGN or Nick, 1916-1990), Jeffrey (1918-1944), and Roderick Walter Lukin (RWL or Rod, 1922-1971).

A new generation of Laidlaws joined the family operated company after the Second World War. R. A. 's sons, Rod and Nick were now part of the R. Laidlaw Lumber Company Limited. In addition to their interest in the company, Nick along with his brother, Jeff served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in World War II. While Jeff was killed in West Africa in 1944, Nick was taken prisoner of war and held in captivity from 1942-1944. Nick initially joined the business, but later pursued a career as a psychologist. R.A.'s third son, Rod worked briefly at the De Havilland aircraft factory prior to joining the business. Rod carried the Laidlaw business forward and later became the President of the company.

The Laidlaw family was very involved in philanthropy and established the Laidlaw Foundation in 1949 with the intention of minimizing taxes and maximizing the distribution of their money to organizations and causes they supported. While operating the R. Laidlaw Lumber Company through many generations, the Laidlaw family has maintained the Laidlaw Foundation that continues to support funding to social, environmental and cultural areas.