- BENJAMIN LATTA, who is engaged in farming on section 34,
Bradford Township, was born
- in the town of Lewiston, N.Y., on the Niagara River, not
far from the Falls. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent
upon his father's farm, and his life has been passed in agricultural
pursuits. In the year 1841 he formed a matrimonial alliance with
Deborah C. STEVENS, who was born July 15, 1816, in Clarence,
Erie Co., N.Y., where their marriage was celebrated. Ten children
graced the union of this worthy couple, as follows: Susan C.,
who is now the wife of William STEWART, of Sommerville; William
J. was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted at Beloit,
in Company B, 40th Wisconsin Infantry, in the 100-day service;
Benjamin Franklin is a practicing attorney of Minnesota; Almetta
E., now Mrs. T. B. MASON, is a resident of Clinton, Wis.; Albert
W. is engaged in farming near Jamestown, Dakota; George W. is
an attorney of Antigo, Wis.; Darius K. is living on the old homestead;
Josephine E. is the wife of F. D. COWLES, a resident of Darien,
Wis.; Ida May is the wife of Frank LITTLE, whose home is in Allen
Grove, Wis.; and Dr. U. Grant lives in Chicago, where he has
a large practice. For four years he attended the College of Physicians
and Surgeons in that city, and then entered upon the prosecution
of his profession.
- In the year 1846 Mr. LATTA left the East, and accompanied
by his family, emigrated to Rock County, Wis., settling in the
town of Bradford, where he purchased 230 acres of land. Subsequent
to that time he became the owner of ninety-two acres adjoining
the old homestead, and under his able management the farm has
become one of the best in the township. At the time of his arrival
the country was in a wild and uncultivated state; not a single
improvement had been made on his land, and the settlements were
few and far between. Wild game of all kinds abounded, including
deer, which would often come up to the door, and bands of strolling
Indians were frequently seen. In the great changes which have
taken place he has cheerfully borne his part, has aided in the
transformation of the broad prairies into beautiful farms, has
witnessed the rapid growth of town and village, and has seen
the great strides which civilization has made. He has now retired
from the more active duties of!
life, the farm being under the management of his son, Darius
K., who was born on the old homestead in 1854, and has there
passed his entire life. On the 29th day of December, 1880, he
was united in marriage with Miss Carrie A. HARTSHORN, who was
born in the town of Clinton in 1861, and is a daughter of Charles
Loring and Sarah (FAY) HARTSHORN. An interesting family of four
children has been born to them - Warren H., Lola May, Lillian
and Fay L.
- In 1887 Mr. LATTA was called upon to mourn the loss of his
wife, who died at Clinton on the
- 14th day of May. Knowing that the end of her life was near,
she directed all the arrangements for her funeral, and when the
final summons came her six sons acted as pall-bearers for the
loved mother, whom they were never again to see on this earth.
During his long residence in Rock County, Mr. LATTA has formed
an extensive acquaintance, and is held in the highest respect
by his many friends. Mrs. LATTA was a devoted member of the Congregational
Church, of which church Mr. LATTA is also a member.
Politically he is a Republican, and was originally a Whig, having
supported Wm. Henry Harrison in 1840. He is now an old man seventy-three
years of age, and has spent most of the days of his pilgrimage
right where he now resides. We are pleased to record his sketch
in the history of Rock County.
-
- Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock
County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 197-198.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|