Chatham E. Lankford

As printed in 1910

CHATHAM E. LANKFORD.

In looking over the list of the honored citizens of Lafayette county of a past generation who have completed their allotted tasks and joined "the innumerable caravan that moves to the pale realms of shade," but who have left behind them a glorious heritage to their descendants and friends, the biographer finds none worthier of mention than Chatham E. Lankford, who was born in this county, October 26, 1829, and after an eminently useful and praiseworthy career, passed peacefully to his rest on November 7, 1909, having spent the major part of his long life in his native community, which he saw develop from the primitive wilderness and the days of the log cabin to the present fertile fields and stately dwellings, and he played a leading part in the general progress of his community. He was the son of Daniel and Hulda C. (Young) Lankford, the father born in Virginia, coming to Missouri as early as 1818 and located in Saline county, and a little later in Lafayette county. He became the owner of about one thousand acres of good land and had a good home here. His death occurred in 1842, when his son, Chatham E., of this review, was twelve years old.

Six children were born to Daniel and Hulda C. (Young) Lankford, namely: Barnett, deceased; Permelia married Rufus Young (see his sketch in this work); Chatham E., of this review; Baxter lived with the subject the last few years of his life; he enlisted in the Confederate army and served through the entire war, surrendering at Shreveport, Lotrisiana; Martha E. and Lydia, the last named dying in childhood.

Chatham E. Lankford was reared on the home farm and educated in the primitive schools. He was one of the brave band of "Forty-miners" who crossed the trackless plains of the West to California in search of gold, and he remained there seven years, and while returning home by way of the Isthmus of Panama he was shipwrecked. Many lives were lost and the subject was picked up on the coast of California. Two years later he returned home by boat, then resumed farming, which he followed the rest of his life. When the Civil war came on he sympathized with the South and served in the Confederate army under General Price; he was captured and held prisoner for some time, and according to his comrades he performed his duties as a soldier.

Chatham E. Lankford and Cecilia Smith were married on September 18, 1873. She was the daughter of Dr. T. S. and Elizabeth (Kirby) Smith, natives of Rutherford county, Tennessee, from which state they came to Lafayette county, Missouri, in 1861. Doctor Smith practiced medicine in Lexington until his death, in July, 1878, his wife having died in February of that year.

To Dr. T. S. and Elizabeth (Kirby) Smith the following children were born: Cecilia, wife of the subject; Mary has been a teacher in the Baptist College at Lexington for the past fifteen years; Susan married David Lyons; W. H. lives in California.

Chatham E. Lankford was a member of the Baptist church, while his wife held her membership with the Christian church. Politically he was a Democrat.

To Mr. and Mrs. Chatham E. Lankford seven children were born, namely: Mary H. married J. L. Pemberton and lives in Montana; they have one child; Chatham E., Jr., lives in Henry county, Missouri, is married and has three children; Baxter Y., who is farming, is married and has two children; Susan, who lives in Ferguson, Missouri, married C. H. Morton and has one child; Elizabeth, Florence and Sydney. All the daughters of this family attended college in Lexington and are proficient in music, having made this art a special study.

Chatham E. Lankford was a successful farmer and provided well for his family. He was essentially a home man; however, he always supported such public measures as tended toward the general development of his county and state, and because of his honesty, his liberality and kindness he was held in high favor by a wide circle of friends.

As printed in Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.