Submitted By: M. Bradley
Dr. Azel Ladd was a true educational reformer for the state of Wisconsin. Dr. Ladd was the 2nd Superintendant of Public Instruction for the State of Wisconsin from 1851-1852. He was an advocate for women teachers and helped them establish the first teacher's union. He also believed in updating the school houses throughout early Wisconsin and was instumental in advocating better wages for teachers.

Submitted By: M. Bradley
Azel Ladd Story: Dr. Ladd had come to Shullsburg in 1842 on invitation after he completed his education on the East Coast. He set up a practice at The Berry Tavern in the late 1840's. He started building a limestone block home at what is currently called The Rennick House in the Spring of 1854. He had quarried 24 cords of Limestone block from the Rennick Quarry and intended to build the entire house out of Limestone. In July of 1854 he contracted cholera at the Berry Tavern just South of Shullsburg and died with the house half built. Dr. Ladd's widow upon his death decided to sell the half completed home and the land it was on to Zebidiah Gates, who was a carpenter. Mr. Gates completed the home with wood. That is why the Home is half Limestone and half wood.

Submitted By: M. Bradley
The years between 1830 and 1840 were noted for the great influx of settlers into the future town of Shullsburg. Among the number were John K. Williams, Zebediah Gates, the McNulty family, Solomon, William, and Edwin Osborne, Alexander Mock, Thomas, Hoskins, J.H. Knowlton, John Ryan, the Meloy family, James McFerrin, W. H. Howard, A.A. Overton, W.P. Boyce, Charles and Harry Brockway, John Cottle, John Hill, Joseph Pulis, DennisTynan, Charles Pole, Andrew, John and David Roberts, John Hardy Col. Scales, the Ladd Family, Mr. Quinch, Mr. Copeland, Mr. Stephens, Mr. McQuadey, S. Recor, and many others who have crossed the river of death or departed for unknown climes. "History of LaFayette County Wisconsin 1881"Page 658-659