Latour D. Lafferty
LATOUR D. LAFFERTY. On March 1, 1924, Latour D. Lafferty dedicated what has been pronounced to be the finest equipped undertaking establishment in Southern Ohio. This business is in West Union, and its present proprietor continues a service in that community which was begun by his grandfather and was continued also by his father.
Mr. Lafferty was born at West Union, September 20, 1889, and is a great-grandson of Absalom Lafferty, a native of France who came to America, and first settled in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, and prior to 1820 established a home at West Union, Ohio, being one of the thirty pioneers of this section of Southern Ohio. Absalom Lafferty, who died July 13, 1848, married Margaret or Peggy McDade, who came from England and died in 1859.
Their son, William V. Lafferty, born May 12, 1830, had as his home throughout his life from birth until death one house in West Union. He died there June 26, 1922. He was a pioneer undertaker. He married in 1856 Margaret Marlatt, and she still lives at West Union.
Theodore H. Lafferty, father of Latour D., was born March 21, 1862, and died May 14, 1914. He married Cora Belle Shelton, who was born September 11, 1861, and died January 31, 1911, a daughter of Robert and Nancy A. (Truit) Shelton.
Latour D. Lafferty graduated from the West Union High School in 1908, and for several years lived on and employed his energies on a farm. He prepared for his professional career in the Cincinnati College of Embalming, where he was graduated in 1914. His father died in that year, and, returning to West Union, he engaged in business with his grandfather and since has become sole owner and manager of the Lafferty Funeral Home, the oldest in the state. This home contains all the features most appreciated in such a service, including reception room, chapel for about 200 people, choir room, access to which is provided without disturbing the service proper, embalming room and morgue, stockroom, and the equipment is completely motorized, including Winton hearse and modern ambulance.
Mr. Lafferty is a member of the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association of Ohio, and is affiliated with the Masonic Order, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Red Men. He is a democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He married Miss Mabel Purdin, of West Union, daughter of Wallie and Mary (Thompson) Purdin, farmers of Adams County. They have three children, Cora Belle, William and Allan.
From History of Ohio, Vol. 4, by Charles B. Galbreath, The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925