Background
Latta was born in Unity Township, Pennsylvania.
Latta was born in Unity Township, Pennsylvania.
He was educated at Sewickley Academy and later studied law at Yale University.
Upon graduation in 1859, he opened a law firm in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. In 1862, he was elected to one term in the Pennsylvania Senate, serving until from 1863 to 1867. In 1870, he once again ran for state politics, winning election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and reelection in 1872.
Under the newly approved Pennsylvania Constitution of 1873, he was the first elected lieutenant governor.