County of town: Audrain County
Location of town: East-Central in county, NE quarter in state: (US-54/MO-19) Main Hwys, no E_W major roads, Laddonia
"Laddonia was laid off in 1871 by Amos Ladd and J. J. Haden and given its name in honor of one of its founders, Mr. Ladd.
"Upon the building of the railroad through there, it became at once an important shipping point for livestock and grain. At the time of its location, it was surrounded by an unoccupied prairie and the first business established there was that of a lumber business by D. P. Moore and E. C. Kennen.
"Soon thereafter William W. H. Jackson established the Laddonia Enterprise which lived two or three years. Then in 1884, the Laddonia Herald was established by J. N. Cross and John Beal. Soon they were succeeded by John and Grant Beal and they were succeeded by Grant Beal and he by C. E. Mayhall, who is now its editor and publisher.
"The town has two banks. David P. Moore and E. C. Kennen established a private bank there in March, 1884, with a capital stock of $10,000. This was sold in 1892 and The Bank of Laddonia was organized by B. L. Locke, E. R. Locke, S. M. Locke, C. A. Wilder, R. M. Pearson, and George E, Ferris. The first president was B. L. Locke and E. R. Locke, cashier.
"In 1895 The Farmers Bank of Laddonia with a capital stock of $20,000 was organized by John W. Stephens, president; B. C. Torbert, vice president; W. H. Logan, cashier; with the following directors: Dr. A. F. Brown, Adrian Hagaman, J. W. Ohearen, W. U. Coil and W. H. Logan. John W. Stephens has continued its president and W. H. Logan, cashier. The present capital stock is $15,000 with a surplus of $10,000.
"The population in 1890 was 520; in 1900, 619; and in 1910, 614." ~ AHGP
"Laddonia
A small town in Prairie Township, named in 1871 at the suggestion of Thomas W. Carter, county surveyor, for Amos Ladd, an early settler, who with Colonel J.J. Haden laid off the site. Ladd later committed suicide at Mexico, Missouri. ~ Postal Guide, 1876