Latta, Frank F., 1892-1983

Frank Forrest Latta, son of Presbyterian minister Eli C. Latta and teacher Harmonia Campbell, was born September 18, 1892 in Stanislaus County, California. As a young boy Latta worked on several ranches in the San Joaquin Valley and became interested in the stories of the early pioneers, and in 1906 began interviewing people and gathering research regarding early life and early farming in California. Latta also spent much time researching the farming corporation Miller & Lux and its founders Henry Miller and Charles Lux. Latta married Jeanette Allen in 1919; they had four children. When Latta was not traveling the San Joaquin Valley interviewing pioneers or writing at home, he taught drafting and carpentry at high schools in Gustine, Porterville, Shafter and Bakersfield, California. Latta helped found the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield in 1941 where he worked both as a curator and as its director. Latta, who was president of the League of Western Writers in 1938, is the author of several publications including Black gold in the Joaquin, California Indian folklore, Dalton gang days, Handbook of Yokuts Indians, and Joaquín Murrieta and his horse gangs. Latta died in Santa Cruz in May 1983.

From the description of Frank F. Latta Collection: Skyfarming, 1802-1982 (bulk) 1860-1975. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 228770256