His was the only man's name that was placed on memorial tablets in Albany and Washington, D.C. in recognition of individual's efforts during the women's suffrage movement.

[1] His ancestors date back to early 17th century settlers of Long Island and New York.

[3] He was the second child, after Louise, born to Elizabeth Carter Onderdonk and Henry Bell Laidlaw between 1865 and 1885.

[7] His father died on January 8, 1902, and the firm continued with the surviving partners, Laidlaw, his brother-in-law Edward Roesler, and his uncle Charles E.

[9] In 1919, he was one of 300 delegates who attended a meeting to discuss industry relations and develop plans to address existing issues.

Laidlaw led the development of a convention in Philadelphia soon after assuming the leadership position, followed by the December 1913 convention in Washington, D.C.[14] Within the state of New York, the League's goal was to ensure that every man in the state that supported women's suffrage become a member of the Men's League.

[14] Laidlaw led the proceedings of the men's night of the 4th annual National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).

He felt that goal, along with targeting new voters, college-aged men, would earn the right to vote for women.

[2] James was an unusual spouse for the time; his interest in the cause of woman suffrage matched her own, and together they would spend their married years working toward the common goal of equal rights for all.Laidlaw married Harriet Burton on October 25, 1905[19] and they had a daughter, Louise Burton Laidlaw.

[12] In college, Harriet studied sanitary science and dietetics, and became interested in the suffrage movement when the realized that the fields are affected by politics.

[21] Hazeldean Manor, built in Sands Point on Long Island in 1906 by James and Harriet, is a Mediterranean-style stucco home on three acres.

The Laidlaws were listed on the Brooklyn Blue Book and Long Island Social Register.

[23] Born in 1906,[11] Louise, married Dana Backus and was active in suffrage work and a leader in the Southeast Asia Women's Association and Pan Pacific.