John L. Latta was born in 1864 and was reared on a farm near Davis City. John attended Central Normal U. at Humeston, Ia., receiving a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation from Iowa State Teachers College, he taught school for 18 years. He served as the principal at Grand River for three years. In July, 1911, he entered business in Grand River. He ran a hardware and furniture store and the undertaking business. He took embalmer and undertaker schooling in Des Moines and received his license to practice. He sold the business to Earl Lamoree and moved to Missouri. This store and business burned in 1936.