The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1955-10-07
FRED P. LATHAM 80,
MASTER FARMER IN
BEAUFORT co. DIES
A Distinguished North Carolinian
Dies Wednesday at His
Farm Home

Cardinals great men, died yester-
day afternoon at his farm home
four miles east of Belhaven. He
was born January 10, 1872, in the
same neighborhood of Haslin, and
spent his life in the farm home
which his father owned.
Some two years ago, Mr.. Lath-
am, and his wife, the former Eva
Johnson of Belhaven, who survives
him, were honored on their Goth
wedding anniversary. Mr.. Latham
is also survived by one son, Harry
v. Latham, Belhaven businessman,
and by eight grandchildren. His
other son, DIR. Roscoe Latham of
New Bern, died in 194S.
Fred P. Latham had been for
many years, an exceptional figure
in the agricultural and political
life of his county and state. He had
represented Beaufort County in
the General Assembly, had served
on the State Board of Agricul-
ture several terms, and during the
Scott administration, was men,
Der of the State Board of Conser-
walton and Development. He had
been the recipient of numerous
honors and awards for his achieve
ments in agriculture, and commu-
nifty service. Some 80 years ago, he
narrowly missed the nomination
for Commissioner of Agriculture.
He was a Mason, a Rotarian, and
member of various agricultural or
CARNATIONS.
His award as Master farmer in
Beaufort County eliminated years
of endeavor to lead his people
into diversified agriculture. He pio-
neered in developing better corn
and soybeans, and his seed corn
was the greatest in its time, en-
joying huge sale throughout the
country. He advocated stock rails
ing, and he grew fine cattle, hogs
and sheep. His financial success
came from having more than one
basket for his eggs.
In 1948 Mr.. Latham's gift Of
$4,000 toward the founding of the
Pungo District Hospital in Bel
haven was the largest single con-
tribution, and as the initial contri-
button, it spurred the campaign
for funds to great success.
Mr.. Latham a year later, in col
laboration with his old friend Jay
Bishop, provided Belhaven with a
community cemetery, where he
will be buried tomorrow, Friday,
at IL am. with Masonic rites. The
services will be conducted at the
graveside by Rev. Frank Leggett,
pastor of the First Christian
Church, the family church of the
Lathams, and he will be assisted
by Rev. Allen Wentz, the Meth
odist minister.
To enumerate the good deeds
of Mr.. Latham, and his varied
achievements, would require more
than the available space. It was
just last year he set up several
thousand dollars to establish
trust, whereby needy people in the
territory of the hospital he helped
so greatly to found, might be as
sured of loans to tide them over
their needs for disqualification. Mr..
Latham maintained his interest to
the last in the public affairs of his
people. Until a few days before
his death he came into town reg
ularly. Until last year, he drove
his own car twice a day into
town, four miles from his farm.
Three years ago he underwent an
extremely serious operation in a
Richmond Hospital and came
through with flying colors.
He never complained over the in
firmities of age, nor lost interest
in the welfare Of his community
and his neighbors, and his fellow
men throughout the state. He had
been blessed throughout his life
by the enobling companionship of a
good and helpful wife whose ma
ture complemented his and helped
to develop the stature that
brought him fame. They were
great people and good neighbors,
they were a pair as in the books
of old, whom all who come after
will rise up to call them blessed.
The end came quickly and easily,
and weakened by the infrmitics
of age, like tired child he just
went to sleep.
The passing Of Belhaven's first
citizen has brought a raft Of mes
sages Of sympathy and tribute,