Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-09-11
DEATH OF JOHN 9. LATHAM.
A Well.known and Esteemed Bus
mess Man Twenty Years
President Of the Bank Of
Hopkinsville.

IIoPKINsvILLE, Sept. 1.-The death
Of John &. Latham, of Ilopkinsville,
which occurred last Sunday morning
at his residence here, will be widely
regretted by his large acquaintance
throughout the State, especially in
Louisville, with whose banking aud
financial circles he has held IN
innate relations for the past twenty
years as President of the Bank Of
llOpkinsville. One of natures no
blrnen departed when his pure spirit
fed. Whatever greatness of charac-
ter, unas,ailing accuracy, strict honor,
everready beuevolence, and tirelcss
fidelity TO duty could impart was
John e. Lathan's. Ofthe many mil
lions Of dollars which were intrustcd
to him not one stuck unfairly to his
hands. The shafts of temptation
which have slain 50 many struck the
urnor Of his integrity aud fell harnl-
less To his feet. AT the ripe age of II
wears he has laid his burden down
with the applause of God aud men.
john &. Latham was born Nov. G.
1914, in Logan county, the fifth OF
seven children. Four years after his
parents removed to llopkinsville,
where he spent the remainder of his
life. lie was four years Deputy IN
Circuit Court clerks office, and sub
sequently prosperous merchan. for
Il number of years. In 1854 he was
elected Clerk of Christian Circuit
Court, and continued in office eight
years. So ambitious was he to do
perfect work That he studied law, not
with any view TO practice, but solely
that he might better perform his du-
ty. II was characteristic of the man.
lie abhOrrcd imperfect work.
For thirty years past he filled in
dustriously more important local po-
silions of various kinds than fell to
I &c lot Of any other citizen in his
county. Always cautious, he was
forward to advocate every enterprise
which promised to promote the pub
lie good. AS member and Chairman
of the City Council, he worked sue
cesslully, not only Tor public improve
ments, but for the excellent financial
reputation which Hopkinsville ell
joys. AS Court Commissioner in
many Intricate cases, guardian, trus-
tee, aud arbitrator in difficult contra
versies, his accounts were always
found correct, and his decisions ac-
cepted as wise and impartial. So alb
solute was confidence in his integrity
that he was seldom required to give
bond for the performance of his du-
tics as executor or guardian. He did
a vast amount OF such work without
compensation, and never was charg-
ed with betraying trust. No; not
without compensation. In the bright
er and happier life to which he
has gone he now sees around him
the priceless gratitude ofmany whom
he here counseled and befriended.
Mr.. Latham leaves a liberal pro-
vision for his bereaved widow and
For them a genial, tender,
kindly light, whose Christian radi-
ance was never clouded, has quench-
ed its splendor Tor a season. lie
leaves two sons, one of whom is
leading merchant of Hopkinsville,
and the elder senior member of the
widely known banking house of
Latham, Alexander Il Co., New
York.
His remains were followed to the
City cemetery to-day by vast con-
course of all classes of people, who
sincerely lamented the loss of true
and stainless Christian gentleman,
who died as he had lived, "without
fear and without reproach." A life
so spent can not fail to speak with re-
sistless eloquence to many young
men who have watched his modest,
useful, noble work.