The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-13
USEFUL AND DISTINGUISHED LIFE.

In the death Of John II. b. Latrobe. OF
Baltimore. which event occurred in that city
Friday, there passed away figure that pos
sessed something more than local importance.
Nr. Latrobe was probably the Oldest member
OF the Maryland bar and one Of the oldest
members Of the American bar. having been
born in 1903. He was the only person sur
viyng who had enjoyed the personal &c
quaintance Of the venerable Charles Carroll.
of Carrollton. the last Of the signers. In 1924
he was the aide of General Harper at the
military reception which was rendered the
distinguished Lafayette.
Mr. Latrobe was remarkable for his versatil-
ity. Educated to the profession of bis father.
who experimental the erection ofthe National
Capitol at Washington. he abandoned 1t 10 be-
come lawyer, in which profession be rose
to the first celebrity as patent attorney. He
was not only the author Of tho well-known
treatise on Maryland Justices OF the Peace,
which has passed through eight editions. but
also Of q condensation of SCOTS Infantry and
Rifle Tactics. which showed that he con-
tinued 10 be interested in the line OF studies
Point. From the first year Of his professional
life down TO the hour Of his death he was one
of the consulting counsel of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railway Company.
Mr.. Latrobe also won distinction as m art
list and critic. In the first character he was
long president OF the Maryland Academy of
Art. He published several biographies and
81. 10, he
still young man. He was one of tho first to
recognize tho genius of Edgar Allan Poe,
having awarded him the prize on the first oc-
casion when he was o contestant. but before
Poe had won even local reputation as
writer.
Mr.. Latrobe attained 10 considerable dis
tinction as an inventor by his contrivance of
the well-known Latrobe stove, which is
still in very general use His interest in me-
chanics led him to promote as far as lay IN
his power the schemes Of Morse and Cooper.
Thus he organized and incorporated tho tele-
graph company over whose lines the first mes
sage was ever sent by electricity, GId he used
his influence with the president of the Bati-
more and Ohio railroad to induce him to extend
TO Morse other opportunities Of putting into
continuous practical operation the new
agency for the transmission Of messages. Mr..
Latrobe was the last survivor of those who
accompanied Peter Cooper in his memorable
and rather dangerous trip on the new loco
motive 10 Ellicotts Mills.
Mr.. Latrobe will probably be longest re-
membered from his connection with the
Liberia Colonization Society, which played
so prominent q part in the history of this
country between 1890 and 1910. He was
elected president of the Maryland branch Of
this society. and finally president Of tho Gen
eral Society and was instrumental in con-
ferring names upon the different provinces,
rivers and settlements of Liberia He framed
the laws for the Maryland province in that
republic.
Mr. Latrobe was tho founder Of the Mary
land Institute and president of the Historical
Society of the State, to which he contributed
much valuable assistance He was also vice
president Of the Maryland Hospital for the
Insane. and was one Of the original commits
sion that purchased Druid Hill Park. In
1876 he was one of the executiAe committee OF
tic Centennial celebration. and was elected
Grand Master Of Maryland Masons until adj
yancing age compelled him to decline the
honor.