Herbert Warren Ladd was born in 1843 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. After graduating from high school there, he entered the dry goods business, taking a position with Tucker & Taber in 1861. He stayed with them for about one year, then took a position in Boston with another dry goods firm.

In 1871, Ladd came to Providence with a Mr. Davis and started Ladd & Davis, Wholesalers of Dry Goods. They were located on Westminister Street.

In 1882 the company became Herbert W. Ladd & Co. with Roscoe R. Drummer as partner, located at 213 - 215 Westminister Street.

Besides the clothing end of the business, Ladd & Co. was also dealing in druggist sundries and toilet articles which evidently included a perfume line since most of the bottles which are found today are the smaller variety associated with that type of product.

Ladd became Governor of Rhode Island in 1889 and in 1890 was also listed as president of his own company which was retailing and wholesaling imported and exported dry goods. He remained with the company in that capacity until 1904.