Eden Reeder Latta

Life

Born: 1839

Died: 1915

Biography

Eden Reeder Latta was born in La Grange County, Indiana, where his grandfather Robert had settled and helped found the Methodist affiliated Eden Chapel Society. His grandfather and his father William James Latta were pastors of the group. He became a school teacher and also served as a “circuit rider” preacher for various Methodist churches throughout Iowa. He established himself as a songwriter and collaborated with several major gospel composers, including his childhood friend William A. Ogden, as well as James McGranahan, James H. Fillmore, and Edmund S. Lorenz. He wrote more than 1,600 hymn lyrics and several tunes. Among his well-known songs are Blessed be the fountain (Whiter than snow), Come to Jesus, and Live for Jesus, O my brother. He retired to Osterdock, IA.

View the Wikipedia article on Eden Reeder Latta.

Settings of text by Eden Reeder Latta

• Away to the woods (Alonzo Judson Abbey)
• The beautiful sea (Daniel W. Crist)
• The Beauty of song (Daniel W. Crist)
• Serenade Song (Herbert Griggs)
• The Sweet South-Wind (Charles King Langley)
• When the Light of Memory (George Brace Loomis)
• When the nightfall cometh on (Charles King Langley)

Publications

External websites:

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