JUDGE CHARLES P. LATHAM
Was born in Washington, D. C., August 19, 1844, the son of Woodville
and Sarah M. (Bowen) Latham. His father, born in Culpeper
county, Virginia, died at Lynchburg in 1881. His mother, the daughter
of Dr. P. B. Bowen of Culpeper county, resides in Lynchburg. Charles
P. left Washington with his father's family in 1861, moving to Culpeper
county, Virginia. He entered the Confederate States Army at the age
of eighteen years, in 1863, joining Company H, 4th Virginia Cavalry.
He was wounded at Raccoon Ford, when Meade fell back to Bristoe
Station. In December, 1863, he was captured, and remained a prisoner
at Point Lookout seven months. He was exchanged by special request
of Judge Ould, the Confederate Commissioner, rejoined his command,
and served till close of war. He had two brothers in service, one a
private in company with himself. The other entered the army as captain
of artillery, but was detailed for service in the ordnance department,
was subsequently sent to Lynchburg to establish powder mills,
but the evacuation of Richmond occurring, the work was abandoned.
After the close of the war, Judge Latham taught school a year or two,
was also agent for the Adams express company. He then moved to
Danville to accept position as clerk of the United States courts there,
so serving from 1870 to 1878. He has been engaged in the practice of
law, and is now judge of corporation court for Lynchburg, appointed
by the legislature in 1882, for term beginning on January 1, 1883. The
first wife of Judge Latham was Kate R. Miller, and they had one daughter,
Kate M., now living with her aunt, in Washington, D. C. He married
secondly Mary E., daughter of F. W. and Harriet Edwards, of
Floyd county, Virginia. They were married in Floyd county, February
21, 1883, and have one daughter, Ella O. A second daughter, Mary E.,
is deceased.
