Latham, Edwin R. 1830-1917

LATHAM, MCGREGOR, MCGREGER, HARLEY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/3/2010 at 15:36:04

E. R. Latham of Reasnor Dies

Was Pioneer Resident of Jasper County and Served Three years in the Civil War

E. R. Latham, pioneer resident of Jasper County, and a resident of Reasnor, passed away near midnight last evening at a hospital in Des Moines. He had been ill for several weeks and had been in the hospital for the past six weeks. He was 87 years old.

E. R. Latham was born in New York April 21st, 1830. When a small boy he moved with his parents to Michigan. In 1854 he came to Jasper County settling on a farm near Reasnor. He served in the Civil war three years being a member of the Third Iowa Infantry. He was a member of the Mt. Zion Church. He was survived by his widow, one daughter, Miss Alica Latham of Reasnor, one stepdaughter, Mrs. Will McGregor who lives near Reasnor and one stepson, O. E. Efnor of this city.

The body was brought to Newton on the noon train today. No arrangements have been made for the funeral. ~ Newspaper unknown.
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Obituary – Edwin R. Latham
Veteran of the Civil War and lived in Jasper County 63 years

Edwin R. Latham was born in Warren County, New York, in 1830. At the age of two he moved with his parents to St. Clare County, Michigan. Later he made his home with his uncle from whom he learned the carpenter trade. He came to Plans, Illinois, where he lived with his brother Otis, and worked at the carpenter trade and a bridge building. In 1854, he came to Knoxville, Iowa, and soon after entered the farm from the government where he always lived. In 1861 he answered the call of the government for volunteers enlisting in Co. B 8d Iowa Infantry, January 8, 1861 and was mustered out June 17, 1865 at Davenport, Iowa. He fought in many battles, was wounded at Vicksburg, and marched with Sherman to the sea. His older brother William and younger brother, Henry fill unknown graves in that sunny southland. He out-lived his brothers and sister, passing the four score and seven year mark. His last birthday was April 21, 1917.

Don December 31, 1871, he was married to Mrs. Frances Efnor who had two children Oscar E. Efnor of Newton and Mrs. Nettie McGreger of near Reasnor. His daughter Alice has taken care of his home and business affairs since he retired from active business.

He joined the M. E. church at McKinney school house and later the class divided, part going to Galesburg and part to Mt. Zion. He had been a member ever since taking an active part during many years. He was active in rebuilding the Mt. Zion church after it blew away in the storm June 12, 1882. He spoke of Mt. Zion church one of the last things he said wanting them to go ahead.

On the 29th of April he was taken sick and four days later was taken to the M. E. Hospital in Des Moines where he was in the nurse’s care until his death. During these eight weeks he suffered a great deal but a favorite at the hospital on account of his patience. He told them all the time he was wanting to go. Mrs. F. B. Harley, a niece of Mrs. Latham visited him every other day and he looked forward to her visits as one of the pleasant times in this last days, always telling her he expected to be gone before she came again. On Sunday at two p.m. he took worse and gradually slipped away breathing his last at midnight Monday.

He leaves to mourn his death his wife and daughter Alice, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, may nieces and nephews with other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at Mt. Zion church conducted by Rev. Fowler of Killduff. The pallbearers were George and John Hews, Henry Efnor, Thomas Killduff, Wilson Robb and James Laird. The first four named were old soldiers and also old neighbors of the deceased. The body was laid to rest in Mt. Zion cemetery.

Those from out of town attending the funeral were Mrs. F. B. Harley, J. M. Dearinger of Des Moines, Mrs. Albert Van Howleing and son of Pella.

There is not death; the stars go down.
To rise up on some fairer shore;
And bright in heaven’s jeweled crown
They shine forever more.

Newspaper unnamed.