Edward Payson Latham
by Henry Howe, 1886
(excerpted from Henry Howe's "Historical Collections of Ohio")
In Burton, I made the acquaintance of an ex-soldier of the Union Army, Mr. E. P. Latham, whose history is a wonderful example of pluck and will power. He was early in the war in the Cumberland mountains under the command of Gen. Morgan, where, while assisting in firing a salute from a cannon, both his arms were blown off above the elbow. Yet Mr. Latham feeds himself, drives a fast-going horse in a buggy around Burton, keeps the accounts of a cheese factory, writes letters, manages a farm, and superintends a Sabbath-school.
At table his food is prepared for him, and he feeds himself with a fork or spoon strapped to his left stump, his right stump being paralyzed; he drives with the reins over his shoulder and back of his neck, guiding his horse, turning corners, etc., by movements of his body; and writes with his mouth.
As he wrote the specimen annexed in my presence I describe it. 1. He placed himself at the table, and with his stump moved paper and pen to the right position. 2. Picked up the pen with his mouth and held it in his teeth, pointing to the left. 3. Dipped it in the ink. 4. Brought his face close to the table and wrote, dragging the pen across the paper from left to right. He had such control of it that by the combined use of his lips and teeth he turned the point so as to bring the slit to its proper bearing for the free flow of the ink. In the engraving it is reduced one third in size from the original.
His right stump is useless, being without sensation; he cannot feel a pin prick. It is, indeed, an inconvenience. "In winter," said he, "before retiring I am obliged to heat it by the fire, otherwise it feels in bed like a clog of ice - chills me. I have not been free from pain since my loss; I don't know what it is not to suffer; but I won't allow my mind to rest upon it - what is th use? I have now lived longer without my hands than with them, yet today I feel all my fingers." Then he bared his left stump and showed me the varied movements necessary for picking up and grasping things in case the remainder of his arm and hand had been there.
I persuaded him to give me a specimen of his handwriting, saying that he ought not to withhold the lesson of his life from the public; that it would be of untold benefit to the young people as an illustration of the principle never to despair, but to accept the inevitable and work with what is left; that these seeming disasters were often of the greatest benefit. "Yes," said he, "I know it; but for this, I might today be in the penitentiary."
Mr. Latham is rather tall, erect, slender, with an intellectual and somewhat sad expression, the result, I presume of never ceasing pain. I once met while traveling, a young man, a stranger, whose every breath was in pain, one of his lungs having when diseased become attached to his ribs; his expression was like that of Mr. Latham's.
Mr. Latham has a family and enjoys life because his mind is fully occupied with pleasant duties. A French author, in writing a book entitled "The Art of Being Happy" finally summed it up in three words, "An absorbing pursuit;" and this Mr. Latham has. Then he can pride himself on being original; does things differently from anybody else. A lady said to me, "I was one day walking behind Mr. Latham, when a sudden gust of wind blew off his hat; with his foot he turned it over, bent down and thrust it in his head, arose and then walked away independent, as though he felt that was the proper way to put on a hat." And it was for Mr. Latham.
Brief Biographical Sketch of Edward Payson Latham:
Edward Payson Latham was born in Troy, Geauga Co. Ohio on March 3, 1839 to Royal Robbins Latham and Amanda Waite Latham. Known to friends and family, as 'Pace' Latham, he resided the majority of his life in Geauga Co. Despite his handicap, he was able to lead a productive and fruitful life, running several businesses including a farm, a horse training enterprise and the management of a cheese factory. He was known as an eloquent speaker and was often invited to speak at special occasions in the local community. As a disabled veteran, he was a favorite of both local and national politicians, including Pres. McKinley with whom he shared the podium during a campaign swing through Ohio.
He married Ellen Van Zandt in 1857 and had one child, Lillie Sarilla Latham, born January 10, 1859. In later years, he resided in the main part of Burton, across from the park. His home is still located there in part of the Historical district. A portrait and several of his adaptive devices are on display at the Burton Historical Society Museum.
He died June 3, 1921 in Cleveland.
More on Edward P. Latham can be found at the Corrello genealogy site.
In 1846 Henry Howe travled around Ohio taking notes and making drawings. He did the same thing in the 1880s, taking more notes and this time taking photographs. He copyright his work in 1888.