John Latham was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and when the subject of this sketch was about seven years of age he removed to Wellington, Ohio, and there he followed his trade until becoming quite advanced in years, when he abandoned carpentry to take up farming. He continued thus engaged until his death, which occurred about 1851, his wife having died about 1835. They were the parents of three children: Julia, deceased; George A., who was born September 5, 1829; and Clarissa, wife of S. E. Turner, of Grand Rapids, Mich. Mr. Latham has been married previous to his with Miss Osborne, and by his first wife had become the father of eight children, as follows: Warren; Nancy, wife of George Cone; Almira, who married a Mr. Nelson; Eliza, the wife of G. D. Graves; Mary A., Mrs. J. Batterson; Charles, Kellogg, and one that died young.

George A. Latham was educated in the district schools of Ohio, and in his youth became familiar with farm life. At the age of twenty he left the shelter of the parental roof and, coming to Michigan, remained here from November, 1849, until June, 1850, when he returned to Ohio. After remaining in the Buckeye State for some time, he returned to Michigan, and for eight years thereafter made his home in Grand Rapids. During that time he was employed in a lumber-mill, and for a number of years afterward he was engaged as foreman for Richard Roberts, who was the first settler of the county. In 1860 he purchased eighty acres of timber land and eighty acres of farming land, selling one-half of the latter tract to his father-in-law, Isaac Tuttle, and disposing of the remaining forty acres to G. P. Reed. The first eight-acre tract he improved, and the larger part of it he has sold. For seven years he was engaged in handling lumber and timber in his township for Ferry & Son, of Grand Haven.

Upon abandoning that occupation, Mr. Latham came to his farm, but shortly afterward went to Muskegon, and there worked for his former employers from November, 1866, to May, 1869, receiving for his services $100 per month. In 1869 he returned to his farm, where he remained about one year. He then commenced contracting with Dwight, Cutler & Savage, and for six years was in the employ of this firm. He then again returned to his farm, and for ten years was successfully engaged in tilling the soil. At that time he sold sixty acres of his property and purchased forty acres of the land which he now owns, later increasing it by eighty acres, which he has since sold. He now owns a sixty-acre farm, which is improved with a fine residence, good barns and a magnificent orchard of many of the best varieties of apples, peaches, pears and plums, besides having an excellent vineyard and quantities of small fruit. Mr. Latham has served his township as Supervisor for three terms, Highway Commissioner for twelve years, and is now and for some years past has been Director of his school district.

The first marriage of Mr. Latham united him with Miss Mary A. Tuttle, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Isaac Tuttle, one of the pioneer settlers of the county. To them five children were born: Jackson E., of Kendall County, Ill.; Edgar, Kellogg, Benjamin, and Mary E., deceased. Mrs. Mary A. Latham died in the year 1872, and three years later our subject wedded Mrs. Susan M. Pixley, a daughter of Asa Brown. Her parents were natives of Canada and Massachusetts, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Latham lost their only daughter, who died at birth. They now have an adopted daughter, Deme B. Latham. This worthy couple are members of the Congregational Church. Socially, he is a member of Ottawa Lodge No. 122, A. F. & A. M. In his political views he has always supported the men and measures of the Republican party.