W. J. Lathan

page 119

W. J. Lathan, one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Mantua township, has made his home in Monroe county for fifty-two years and has therefore witnessed almost its entire development and growth. He claims Indiana as his native state, his birth having occurred in Bloomington, June 26, 1849. His father, John Lathan, who is still living at the age of seventy-seven years, was born in South Carolina, and is a son of William Lathan, who was of Irish parentage. His ancestors belonged to an old and honored Protestant family, and their descendants have been people of prominence in the various localities where they have made their homes.

John Lathan was reared upon a farm and attended the schools of the neighborhood. When a young man he left his native state and went to Indiana, which was then a new country, and there met and married Miss Rebecca Jane Harbison, a woman of many admirable traits of character, who proved to him a most capable helpmeet as well as a loving wife. She was a daughter of William Harbison, who was also of Irish descent. In 1850 John Lathan and family left the Hoosier state and came to Iowa, crossing the Mississippi river on a ferryboat. He purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty acres in Monroe county, and subsequently bought one hundred and fifty acres more, being extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising throughout his active business life. He is a worthy and zealous member of the Associated Presbyterian church, in which he has held the office of elder, and his life has ever been in harmony with his professions. His wife, who was an earnest member of the same church, died at the age of sixty-nine years, and her death was widely and deeply mourned, for she made friends of all with whom she was brought in contact.

In their family were the following children: W.J., Tillman H., a resident of Red Oak, Montgomery county, Iowa; Samuel H., whose home is in Troy township, Monroe county; Miss Sarah C. Lathan, who lives at her father’s homestead; Alexander B., who died unmarried at the age of thirty-three years; Margaret E., deceased wife of Ed G. Forsythe, of Mantua township; Stewart, who died at the age of fourteen years; and Anna, who died at the age of two years. By his ballot the father supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has efficiently filled several township offices, being one of the most popular men of his community.

W. J. Lathan passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father’s farm, and in the schools of that locality he acquired a good practical education, which enabled him to successfully engage in teaching for some years, entering upon that profession at the age of twenty-one years. His brother Tillman was also one of the successful and popular teachers of the county for a time. For the past twenty-three years W. J. Lathan has resided upon his present farm in Mantua township, and as an agriculturist he has prospered, owning one of the best places in the community. He has a nice residence, surrounded by a beautiful lawn and orchard, and the barns, cribs and other outbuildings present a neat and thrifty appearance, showing the owner to be a man of progressive ideas and careful habits. His place is conveniently located five miles from Albia and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. In connection with general farming, stock-raising is carried on quite extensively.

At the age of twenty-eight years, Mr. Lathan was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Forsyth, a lady of education and refinement, who attended school here and was one of the popular teachers of the county prior to her marriage. Her father, David Forsyth, was a native of Ohio, and a son of Elijah Forsyth, who was also born in that state. David Forsyth married M. Elizabeth Haugh, who was born in Virginia and belonged to an old Virginia family of German descent. On coming to Iowa they spent a short time in Davis and Van Buren counties but finally, in 1850, located in Monroe county, where the father followed farming until called to his final rest at the age of seventy-nine years. He was an elder in the United Presbyterian church for many years and was a most exemplary man. His political support was given the Republican party. His widow still survives him, being now seventy-eight years of age, and continues to reside on the old homestead. Their children were Mrs. Mary S. Burlingame, of Troy township; Mrs. Fidelia Chisman, who was formerly a teacher and is now living in Wapello county, Iowa; Erastus, a resident of Mantua township; Melissa, wife of our subject; Mrs. Emma Chisman, of Ottumwa, Iowa; Lodema, who married James Lathan and died at the age of thirty-two years; and Harvey and Elmer, who died in childhood. Five children bless the union of our subject and his wife: Anna May, Mary E., wife of Elmer Gray, of Troy township; Arthur B., Iva J., and Ralph E.

Mr. Lathan uses his right of franchise in support of men and measures irrespective of party, but usually supports the Democratic party in national politics, and besides township offices he served as county supervisor, being a valued and influential member of the board. He is firm in his convictions of right and wrong and has displayed good judgment in his management of public affairs as well as private interests. For some years he filled the office of justice of the peace and was a member of the school board. Religiously both he and his wife are members and he has been an elder of the Associated Presbyterian church, and are among the most highly esteemed citizens of the county. Physically he is a man six feet in height, and socially is very popular.