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    JOHN B. LATTA, M. D., of Grandview, in this county, was one of the early settlers of the county. He came to this county in 1840. He was born on the 30th day of January, 1823, in Ross County, Ohio. He was the fifth of eleven children, whose parents were James Latta and Isabella Nicholls. His father was one of the first settlers of Ohio, was a man remarkable for piety and intelligence, and died in the year 1865, in Burlington in this state, while on a visit from Grandview.

    The early education of the subject of this sketch was very liberal, and the latter portion of his literary reading was partly devoted to the ancient classics. Having completed a preparatory course of instruction, he entered the Ohio Medical College in 1847 and graduated in 1849. He immediately began the practice of medicine in Grandview, and has given his entire energies and attention to his profession more or less ever since.

    On the 1st day of November, 1849, he was united in marriage to Martha A. Crow, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph Crow, who died in 1866, and who was one of the first pioneers in this county, coming here in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Latta are the parents of nine children, six of whom are living. While the doctor’s attention has in the main been engrossed with the medical profession, it will be in taste to observe that he has also devoted considerable attention to agricultural pursuits, and for the last fifteen years has been conducting one of the model stock farms of the county. He started in life poor; but by dint of perseverance and industry, has accumulated handsome property and the reputation of being one of the solid men of the count, not only in point of wealth, but as a man of integrity and influence for the good. Politically, he is a strong republican, and before the Whig Party lost its distinctive organization, was an ardent supporter of its platform. Religiously, he is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and takes great interest in the cause …

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and progress of religion. Socially, the doctor is pleasant and affable is a man devoid of all sinister motives, and is much respected by all who know him.