David Latta

Background

David Latta was born June 6, 1869 in Ballycarny, County Wexford, Ireland.

Education

He was educated in nearby Enniscorthy, and came to Canada in 1889.

Career

He settled briefly in Ontario before moving to Whitemouth, Manitoba, where he joined the North-West Mounted Police in 1890. He was stationed near South Battleford, Saskatchewan, where he founded a sheep farm after being discharged in 1893. In 1897 he sold the farm and moved to Edmonton, lured by the Klondike Gold Rush.

In 1900 he established a blacksmith and carriage shop, which would become Latta and Lyons Company after he partnered with John H. Lyons in 1902.

In 1905, Latta was appointed to Edmonton City Council to complete the term of Kenneth McLeod, who had resigned. He served until the 1906 municipal election, in which he did not run, and did not return to politics thereafter, disillusioned by the bickering of his fellow council members.

Latta shifted his focus to selling blacksmith supplies wholesale after many of his staff enlisted to fight in World War I. In 1918, Latta founded Belatta Collie Kennels. Dogs from the kennel captured prizes at dog shows in Alberta and British Columbia.

He suffered a stroke in January 1948, and returned to Edmonton where he died November 11.

In 1952, Latta Bridge in Edmonton was named in his honour.

Connections

Partner:

Lyons Motors