In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910)
JOHN D. LANKFORD.
One of the farmers of Lexington township, Lafayette county, who has attained a fair competence through his individual efforts is John D. Lankford. He gives close personal attention to his farm, and, having spent his entire life in this community and having been ever heedful of his daily walk before his fellow men, he holds a high place in the estimation of his neighbors, who know him as a man of probity and integrity, as they did his honored father before him.
Mr. Lankford was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, March 15, 1853, and is the son of B. Y. and Eauphamie (Catron) Lankford. The father was a native of Virginia who came to Missouri in a very early day, about 18 18, entered land from the government and developed it, establishing a good home and became an influential citizen in his community. His death occurred in
Politically Mr. Lankford was a Democrat. They were the parents of six children, namely: George is farming in Lafayette county: John D., of this review; Lydia is deceased; Frank resides in Bates county, Missouri; Molly and Elizabeth were twins; the former married Fawn Weedin and the latter (Elizabeth) is deceased. '
John D. Lankford grew to maturity on the home farm and early in life became acquainted with hard work. He attended the common schools in his native community. When twenty-two years old he began farming for himself and has made this line of work his life vocation, and now has an excellent place of one hundred and ninety-two acres, on which he carries on a diversified line of agriculture and keeps some good stock.
Mr. Lankford was married on November 27, 1890, to Rose Lee Grizzell, daughter of Lafayette Grizzell and wife. Her father was a native of Kentucky, from which state he emigrated to this state and farmer for some time. To Mr. and Mrs. Lankford seven children were born, namely: Mary, John, Vena, Clinton, Ella, Joseph and Lee.
Mr. Lankford is a member of the Presbyterian church and in politics he supports the Democratic ticket. Mrs. Lankford holds membership with the Christian church.
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.
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.