Cumberland County, Maine - Samuel S. Latham
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Biography
Samuel S. Latham
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 503


Samuel S. Latham, a leading farmer of Pownal, was born in Gray, Me., April 8,
1825, son of Galen and Betsey (Soper) Latham. Mr. Latham's grandfather, Eliab
Latham, who was probably a native of Bridgewater, Mass.; became an early settler
in Gray, where he followed the trade of a blacksmith. He resided in Gray for
many years, and died March 18, 1818, his death having been caused by a
conflagration, which destroyed his residence. He reared five children, all of
whom grew to maturity, and became heads of families.

Galen Latham, who was born in Gray in 1790, learned the trade of a ship
carpenter, which he followed as an occupation conjointly with farming An
industrious and worthy citizen, he was a lifelong resident of Gray, where his
death occurred February 22, 1831, at. the age of forty-one years. His wife,
Betsey,. also a native of Gray, born in 1793, became the mother of six children,
three of whom are living. These are: Samuel S., the subject of this sketch; Lucy
F., who was born August 13, 1828, and is now the wife of Edwin B. Madden, of Old
Town, Me.; and William W., born March 17, 1830, and now residing in Portland,
Me. The others were : Eliab, born April 5, 1819, who died September 29, 1844.;
Mary, born April 28, 1821, who died October 12, 1858; and Artemas, born October
6, 1817, who died December 2, 1880. The mother lived to the age of eighty years.
She was a member of the Free Will Baptist church.

Samuel S. Latham received his education in the schools of East Gray. As he was
left fatherless at a very early age, he was obliged to begin to work for the
support of his mother and himself when quite young. He accepted any suitable
employment that presented itself, and resided at home until he reached the age
of twenty-seven years. Then he moved to Pownal, where he located upon the farm
he now owns and occupies. His property, which is desirably situated, consists of
one hundred acres of fertile land. He has brought it into a high state of
cultivation, and has made various improvements upon the buildings. He devotes
his time and energies to general farming, producing large crops of a superior
quality. In politics he has always supported the principles of the Democratic
party. He has been conspicuous in town affairs for many years. He served with
ability and good judgment as a member of the Board of Selectmen for five years,
and he has also held other offices of responsibility and trust.

On June 9, 1852, Mr. Latham was united in marriage to Harriet E. Starbird, who
was born in Gray, May 28, 1831. They have had two children, namely: Alice
Jeanette, who, born September 22, 1853, married Jabez True, and died November 28,
1872; and Fannie C., born June 6, 1860, who married George A. Marston, and died
April 24, 1893. Mrs. Latham died May 22, 1894. She was a member of the
Congregational church. Mr. Latham possesses the keen intelligence characteristic
of the New England farmer. He is well informed upon the important issues of the
day, and has long been recognized as an active leader of the Democratic party in
his locality.