Little Laddie Hakes (c. 1945)
This picture of A. Ladd Hakes was taken in about 1945 by his grandmother, Martha Erickson, in Aitkin. Grandma was babysitting little Laddie, and on an impulse she dressed him in his grandpa Frank Erickson's police regalia - including the size 14 shoes. The camera was one that "pulled out like an accordian" was what Mrs. Hakes remembered. Frank Erickson was once the fire chief and the police chief of Aitkin.
Ladd and his wife Sonia are retired and live in Aitkin. Ladd is currently on the Aitkin County Historical Society's board of directors.