My Genealogy Hound

Thomas Latham, a well-to-do farmer of West Fork Township, Washington Co., Ark., and an ex-Union soldier, was born in Jackson County, Ala., on the 23d of August, 1827, being a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Ball) Latham, and grandson of Cornelius Latham, who was a native of the “Old North State,” and was an extensive stock dealer and farmer. Jonathan Latham was born in Randolph County, N.C., in 1800, and died in the State of Alabama, December 27, 1887, to which State he had moved in 1821. He was a prominent politician of his state, and during the war was a stanch Union man, and was representing his county in the State Legislature when the war broke out. He was an extensive land-holder, and at the time of his death was the owner of about 1,000 acres of land, nearly all of which was under good cultivation. To his union with Miss Elizabeth Ball, whom he married shortly after coming to Alabama, was born a family of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, and ten of whom are living at the present time. The mother died in 1882. Thomas Latham resided in his native State until August 28, 1863, when he enlisted in Company A, First Alabama Volunteers, and did honorable service for his country until 1864, when he was disabled for life, being thrown from his horse while carrying a message from Gen. Morgan Smith to Gen. John A. Logan. He returned home, and in 1867 removed to Tennessee, where he was married to Elizabeth Freeman, and lived until 1869, when he returned to Alabama, and in 1871 came to Benton County, Ark., and two years later to West Fork, where he has since been engaged in farming. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the G. A. R., Lodge No. 14, and in his political views is a stanch Republican. To his marriage with Miss Freeman, who is a daughter of John W. Freeman, an ex-soldier of the Mexican War, seven children have been born: John T., Barbara (wife of John Hope), Julia, Fannie, George, Ada G. and Nettie. Mr. and Mrs. Latham are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.