Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1636

SOUTHER, MRS. NANNIE (LATHAM) - There are few men who have attained prominence in life who do not attribute much of their success to the influence and fostering care of their mothers. One of the Springfield's representative men, Latham T. Souther, is frank in confessing the part of his honored mother, Mrs. Nannie (Latham) South, has borne in his life. Mrs. Souther's able article on banking and other financial institutions, of Springfield, has awakened considerable interest in this History of Sangamon County.

Mrs. Souther was born in Elkhart, Ill., a daughter of Richard and Margaret (Stevenson) Latham, farming people, who were associated with agricultural interests at Elkhart and in the vicinity of Springfield. Mrs. Souther came to Springfield at an early age, and there was educated. She remained at home until she was married in Springfield, in September, 1873, to George H. Souther, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1840. Mr. Souther was a soldier in the Civil War and a good and brave man. Later in life, with the formation of the Grand Army of The Republic, he joined that order and continued with it until his death in 1905. After the war he was appointed Pension Agent, being regarded the best man for that position, and discharged its duties faithfully and conscientiously. Mr. Souther was one of the early bankers here being for many years at the head of the Sangamon Loan and Trust Company. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Souther: Latham; Lucy Abbott (now Mrs. W. J. Galbraith), of Tucson, Arizona; and Elizabeth. Mrs. Souther is a consistent member of the Christian Church. She is a true type of the tender, gentle, Christian woman, who makes the ideal wife and mother. Her family revere and love her and her neighbors appreciate her many virtues.