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Latham, George Robert

soldier, lawyer, legislator, congressman, was born March 9, 1832, in Prince William county, Va., in sight of the Bull Run battle ground. In 1852 he began teaching school in Taylor and Barbour counties, Va.; and in 1859 he was admitted to the bar. He enrolled company B, second regiment Virginia volunteer infantry, which was the first union company recruited in the interior of the state; he was promoted to captain and colonel; and toward the close of the war was brevetted brigadier-general. In 1864 he was elected a member of the thirty-ninth congress, and during his term served on important committees. He was subsequently appointed United States consul at Melbourne, Australia, for three years. Since 1870 Colonel Latham has retired mostly from public life, with the exception of census enumerator and county superintendent of schools, and minor offices.