Silas was the son of Travis & Lucinda (Dulin) Latham. Silas was recorded on the 1850 Federal Census living in the household of one Horace A. Riggs in Brown Township, Franklin County, OH. Before 1852, Silas was married to Elizabeth Whitney. The couple reportedly parented 13 children between the years of 1852 & 1873: Lucinda Latham, Thomas Monroe Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery), Lafayette Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery), Marion Latham, Mary E. Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery), Debby Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery), Rachel A. Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery), John William Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery), Abbie Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery), Madell "May Dell" Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery), Florence Latham, Eli J. Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery), & Alva Latham (also buried at Wesley Chapel Cemetery). On March 28, 1864, Silas enlisted for a term of three years in the 88th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.) in Columbus, OH. The 88th O.V.I. spent nearly its entire existence at Camp Chase, a P.O.W. facility in Columbus, and was deployed there to guard Confederate (and Union) prisoners. A document contained in Silas' National Archives pension file described his primary duty with the 88th O.V.I. as "permanent guard at the prison gate at Camp Chase." On July 3,1865, Silas was mustered out with his company (F) at Camp Chase. Following the 1897 death of wife Elizabeth, Silas was married to Mary L. Cavalier in the town of Sandusky, OH, after which the couple moved to Columbus, OH, and were recorded living there on the 1900 Federal Census. Following his April 22, 1901, divorce from 2nd wife Mary, Silas was married to Charlotte H. Doerflinger on October 21, 1902, again in the town of Sandusky. At the age of 77, Silas was recorded on the 1910 Federal Census living alone in the Ohio Soldiers' & Sailors' Home (a.k.a. the "Ohio Veterans Home") in Perkins Township, Sandusky County, OH.