New Britain herald., 1926-09-29
W. E. LATHAM S4,
 SAYS HE FEELS AS
Former Selectman in Good
 Spirits on His Birthday

T feel more like AS than s4" was the response of former Selectman William E.. Latham when asked yes terday how he felt on his S4th birth day and I've had so many birth- days that I'm tired of parties he added with a laugh when asked if he was planning to have a special observance of the event.
 Mir. Latham Is S4 years old and he appears hale and in better health now than he was several years ago. My health improves with my age, I guess" he stated as he said that he is in much better health than he was several years ago when attacks of asthma bothered him and pull ed his general condition down.
 MT. Latham was born in Marl- boro, Conn, and came to New Brit ain for the first time as a student at the state normal school in 1861. He attended the school until August, 1882, when he enlisted in the goth Connecticut Volunteers and served through the Civil war.
 hcC6llS W hT DdfS t1Nluf
 His memory is exceptionally clear as was attested by the manner in which he recounted the battles and experiences of those stirring days when the north and the sounth were at grips, one for the supremacy of the Union and the other for the right of secession.
 Mir. Latham, as a member of the Union army. fought in the battles of Chaucellorsyille and Gettysburg. His regiment was a member of the 18th army corps and after these two en- gagements. 1t vas sent to aid Rose crans at Chickamauga in the fall of 1888. Following this, the outfit took part in the breaking of the Cracker Iine' from Nashville to Chat tsnooga and then engaged in guard ing the railroad from Cowan to the mountains.
 The next spring, MT. Latham, with his regiment, engaged in skirnlishes and battles all along the line until they met the "rcbels' at Sacca. Then crossing a river, the 12th fought the battle of Peach Tree Green" and also had a part in the taking of Atlanta. From there, the regiment went on the famous march to the sea- and finished the war still in service.
 MT. Latham was mustered out and returned home in June, 1865. He returned to New Britain in October of that year and entered the employ of the Stanley Works where he worked until the fall of 1880. His health failing, MT. Latham left the factory and, entering politics, was elected to the office of tax col lector He served until 1892 when he withdrew for number of years from the political field. Returning again to public life, he was elected selectman.
 Selectman for 15 Years
 During this time. he worked at the real estate and insurance busi- ness, making great success. He scrv- ed as selectman for Is years, retir- l ing in 1920 after he enjoyed 9 win l ter at Florida. He was urged to | seek reelection, but he thought his | time had come to seek q rest in l private and thus he declined addi- tionGl honors.
 His health is good. he says, but he is experiencing a little trouble with ! his eyes. He believes that his trips . to Florida have helped the asthma tic condition which attacked him and he plans to spend every winter there.
 He Is Florida booster. He spends | from Deland at place called Lake Helen. There he has formed pleas ant associations with people from all over the country.
 He was married in 1887 and lived on East Main street on a spot on which a building of Landers F'rary X Clark Co. now stands opposite to West Main street where he lived for 54 years and he has been living on Carlton street for the past three years.
 Doesn't Care for Radio
 1rr. Latham hasn't a radio in the house and isn't especially interested in them. except to say that they are much enjoyment to those who like them. He stated that he had at first planned 10 hold a little party in honor of his birthday, but because workmen are engaged in installing a curb stone in front Of his home, he decided to call 1t off. Last Sun day, he was the guest of his niece in Waterbury and he considers that celebration enough for him. He has one sister living in East Hartford who will, reach the age of IS on her next birthday, in Decem- per. He lost two younger brothers