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Biographies |
| Louis Charles Lathem Louis Charles (Luch) Latham lived on the Macho Creek not far from Lake Valley. Born in Live Oak County, Texas, Jan. 24 1874. Luch Latham came to New Mexico from Texas in 1886 with his father, James Robert, mother, the former Ann Eliza Faulkner, and brothers and sisters.
When Luch was a young man he went to Roosevelt, Oklahoma to marry his sweetheart, Ella Penelope Harrington. Ella Latham had lived in New Mexico before she moved to Oklahoma with her father Jahn Allen Harrington and mother, the former Mary B. AcAlvanes, brother and sisters.
Luch and Ella married in Roosevelt, Oklahoma, Dec. 26 1896 and started to Montana on their honeymoon in a covered wagon. The trip took them more than a year to make. Many times they were delayed be seeing Indian camps. They would have to hide out to travel by night.
Living in Montana, Luch Latham was engaged in mining.
They had 4 children while living there: Pearl Beatrice born 1898, Alvin born 1899, Fred Louis born 1902 and Eula Mae (Jodie) born 1904.
It was entirely too cold for their son Fred's health and the Doctor suggested they move to a warmer climate.
In 1907 Luch and family moved to New Mexico. They settled on the S. L. C. ranch, four miles from Hillsboro, where Luch farmed and raised sheep.
After moving to New Mexico they had 3 more children - James (Jim) Hiram born 1907, Nelson Allen born 1909. The seventh and last child Bonnie Lorraine was born in Hillsboro in 1918.
They moved to Hillsboro and rented the Stiles House in 1913. The next year was the "Big Flood". The family then moved to the Burke House, it was located on higher ground, near the Court House and the Jail. Here their oldest child, Pearl, was married. Later they bought and moved to the Robins' House. Luch acquired the 6B Cattle Ranch located in the Black Range country, Mrs. Latham staying in Hillsboro, sending the children to school while Luch went back and forth to the ranch.
In 1919 the family had their first real tragedy. Their son Fred, age 17, was killed when a horse feel with him.
Later they moved to a homestead down on the Flats near Nutt Station where he farmed and pastured cattle. Jodie was hired as school teacher at Nutt Station. She lived on the ranch and she and her little sister, Bonnie, rode horseback to school the first year. Then Jodie bought a Model T Ford for transportation.
In 1927 Luch and Ella moved to Deming where they owned and operated the Jefferson Hotel until Ella's death in 1953. Luch preceded her in death 2 years before.
The family will always cherish the friendship and happy memories of living in New Mexico
Written by, Eula Mae "Jodie" (Lathem) Mendelson, 1979
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