Near Buckhannon in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

George R. Latham

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 16, 2021

1. George R. Latham Marker

Inscription. Born March 9, 1832, Latham opened a law office in Grafton, where he recruited a company of Union troops for his command in 1861. A delegate to the first Wheeling convention, he served as a U.S. congressman, 1865-67, and consul to Australia, 1867-70. Latham later was Upshur County school superintendent and an 1880 census supervisor. He died in Buckhannon, December 16, 1917.

Erected 2016 by West Virginia Archives & History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 16, 1917.

Location. 39° 0.016′ N, 80° 12.758′ W. Marker is near Buckhannon, West Virginia, in Upshur County. It is on Hall Road (Local Route 13) 0.3 miles north of 5th Street, on the left when traveling north. It is at the first entrance to Heavner Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buckhannon WV 26201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern

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Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Resting Place (a few steps from this marker); Lewis/Upshur Counties Pioneers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Bush's Fort (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); D. D. T. Farnsworth (about 600 feet away); Upshur County Veterans War Dead Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Larry Brown Flagpole Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Buckhannon Veteran Memorial Wall (approx. ¼ mile away); We Honor Our "Unknowns (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buckhannon.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry. Excerpt:

Latham soon commanded the local militia, the Grafton Guards. When contrary to the wishes of western Virginia delegates, the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861 voted for secession on April 17 and various Virginia militia units seized the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry the following
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 16, 2021

2. George R. Latham Marker
day, Latham and his Grafton Guards protected their railroads. The Clarksburg Resolution called for western Virginians to meet at Wheeling on May 13, 1861, before the vote, and Latham became active Taylor County's primary for delegates to the Wheeling Convention. Days after Virginians (over the opposition of western Virginians) voted to secede from the Union on May 23, Latham and his Grafton Guards took the train to Wheeling where they became Company B of the 2nd West Virginia Infantry Regiment.

(Submitted on May 18, 2021.)

George R. Latham (1832–1917) image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress Collection via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1861

3. George R. Latham (1832–1917)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 297 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 18, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.