 Latham was born on September 16, 1852, in Utica, New York, and is credited as the first major league player from that town.He first played in professional organized baseball in for two teams in the National Association, the Boston Red Stockings, and the New Haven Elm Citys.In 1877 and 1878, he was the first baseman and manager of the Canadian team, the London Tecumsehs of the International Association of Professional Base Ball Players.