HENRY C. LATHAM, President of the Abstract and title Guarantee Company at Springfield, and Secretary of the Sangamon Loan and Trust Company, occupies an important position in the business world as represented in this part of the country. He is a native of Elkhart, and is a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of this State.

Judge James Latham, the grandfather of our subject, was an early pioneer of Central Illinois, and was for several years a man of prominence among the early settlers. He was a native of Loudoun County, Va., where he was born October 25, 1768. When a young man he became a pioneer of Kentucky, where he was married to Mary Briggs, June 21, 1792. His wife was of Scotch parentage. In 1819 he removed with his family to Illinois, locating in what is now Logan County, which then formed a part of Sangamon County. He and his son Richard built the first mill that was ever erected north of the Sangamon River, said mill being put up at Elkhart in 1822. Prior to that the nearest mill was at Edwardsville, in Madison County, more than one hundred miles distant. When Sangamon County was organized Mr. Latham was appointed Judge of the Probate Court, May 27, 1821, and served in that capacity with distinction. He was subsequently appointed Indian Agent with his headquarters at Ft. Clark, now Peoria, to which he removed with his family. He became a great favorite with the Indians and treated them with justice and fairness. An old settler living in Menard County tells with great unction of an Indian dance that he witnessed at Judge Latham's house, and also of a distribution of tobacco among the red men. The Judge carried an armful of the dried leaf into the midst of the assembled savages and threw it down for them to scramble for. He said he could not divide it among them otherwise without being charged with partiality and the plan satisfied the Indians as being the right one. The Judge died in Peoria, December 4, 1826, and thus passed away a man whose force of character and genuine ability made him an influence among his fellow pioneers, who lamented his untimely death. His widow returned to Elkhart, where she passed her remaining days.

Judge Latham's son Richard was the father of our subject. He was born December 23, 1798, in Bowling Green, Ky., and came with his parents to Sangamon County in 1819. He was twice married and his second wife was Mrs. Margaret Broadwell, whose maiden name was Stephenson. To them were born thirteen children. Richard Latham passed away June 5, 1868, at the age of three-score years and ten, and his wife departed this life in 1886 at an advanced age.

Henry C. Latham came to Springfield in 1853, and engaged his services as a dry-goods clerk. In 1857, at the instance of a relative, he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he entered the office of an insurance agent. A year thereafter he secured a similar position in Springfield, which he soon gave up to enter the County Clerk's office, where he remained two years. After that he was engaged in Ridgely's Bank, and while there tired his hand at sheep husbandry.

In 1861 our subject was selected as first assistant Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State Legislature. During Sharon Tyndale's term as State Auditor, Mr. Latham was engaged as his clerk tow years. In the meantime he bought the interests of Nicholas Strott in the abstract business, which he prosecuted in company with Paschal P. Enos til he bought out his partner, and has since been identified with the business of making abstracts of titles. In 1872-73 he was Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, though he still continued in the abstract business. In 1880 the firm became Latham & Souther and under their management the business has been made very successful. In 1886 the Sangamon Loan and Trust company, of which Mr. Latham is Secretary, was organized, and in 1889 the Abstract and Title Guarantee Company was formed and he was made its president. The business of these corporations, both of which are an outgrowth of the abstract business, with which our subject has so long been connected is large and highly satisfactory to all that sustain business relations therewith.

Mr. Latham is also Treasurer of the Home of the Friendless, a position which he has held for the past fourteen years, and during these years he has given much time and attention to this institution. He is a Republican with strong Prohibition tendencies. He is a member of the Christian Church in Springfield, and takes an active interest in its every good work and has the confidence of the community.