Dr. Samuel E. Latta, one of the prominent and well-known physicians of Stockton, California, has been engaged in active practice of his profession for twenty years, and the latter half of that period has been spent in Stockton. He is a physician of experience, ability, and thorough equipment, and has gained a well-deserved reputation throughout San Joaquin County. He is one of the progressive members of the profession, and besides attending to his private practice, is also interested in movements to advance the standard of excellence and efficiency of his fellow practitioners throughout the state.
Dr. Latta was born in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, May 11, 1862, a son of Dr. William S. Latta, now deceased, and Sarah A. Latta, now living in Lincoln, Nebraska. He went through the courses at the Lincoln high school and was a student in the State University at that place for three years. With the career of his honored father as his example, he chose the profession of medicine, and entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he was graduated in the class of ’84 with the degree of M. D. He practiced in Lincoln for two years, and then came to the Pacific coast and located in San Joaquin County, where his subsequent useful career has been spent. He was located at Woodbridge for eight years and was then appointed to the responsible position of superintendent of the San Joaquin County Hospital, where he remained four years. He then took up private practice in Stockton, and at present enjoys a representative and lucrative patronage among the best classes of citizens.
Dr. Latta is surgeon for the Santa Fe Railroad, a position he has occupied for six years, his division being from Merced to Antioch. He is a member and takes an active part in the proceedings of the San Joaquin Medical Society and the California State Medical Society. He is affiliated with the Woodbridge Lodge and the Stockton chapter and commandery of the Masonic order, and in politics is a Republican. Dr. Latta married, in 1882, Miss Anna E. Hyde, a native of New York state. They have five children: Winifred A., William H., Samuel G., Olive M., and Earl V.
Source: Leigh H. Irvine; A History of the New California Its Resources and People, 2 Volumes; New York and Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1903.