Born in Huntington, Canada on September 4, 1833.  James Laird entered Amherst College in 1857 and transferred to Oberlin College in Ohio two years later.  Laird would graduate from Oberlin in 1861 and then attend the Theological seminary in Andover until he graduated in 1864.  Following his graduation, Rev. Laird was ordained as pastor of the Congregational church at Guildahall, VT on March 15, 1866.  Four years later Rev. Laird would make his way to Hollis and remain there until his death in 1874.