Courtesy of the California State Library
Sophie Latham
January 9-14, 1860
Significant Facts
Born: around 1835 in Yates County, New York
Died: September 10, 1867 in San Francisco, California
Married: Milton Latham on October 1, 1853
Maiden Name: Birdsall
Family
Father: Lewis A. Birdsall
Mother: Mary Jane Lee
Husband: Milton Latham
Children: None
Find out more about the time period and interests of Sophie Latham
Biography
Little is known about Sophie Birdsall’s early life. Known as the “Belle of the Prairie,” Sophie was a favorite of early San Francisco and Sacramento society. In 1853, her father, Lewis, was the appointed as the first Superintendent of the California branch of US Mint located in San Francisco. Sophie married Milton Latham on October 1, 1853 in San Francisco. They had no children. Sophie’s tenure as First Lady was extremely brief. After holding the office of Governor for a mere five days, Milton Latham was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator David Broderick. Milton Latham was not reelected to the Senate in 1863 and he and Sophie moved back to San Francisco. Sophie Latham died on September 10, 1867. She was originally buried at the Laurel Hill Cemetery in San Francisco. However, Sophie, along with Milton, was moved to the Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma around 1940, when the Laurel Hill Cemetery was closed due to a San Francisco ordinance that prohibited graveyards within the city limits.
Bibliography
Books
- Cook and LaDue, The First Ladies of California, Xlibris Corporation, 2007
- "Appointments by the President; by and with the advice and consent of the Senate." New York Times, April 5, 1853, page 3
