Edward James Lankford

Born on December 2, 1855, in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Edward James Lankford was the son of Robert Chester Lankford and Susan “Susie” Elizabeth Brook. Edward is my 1st cousin 4x removed. Our nearest common ancestors are Charles L. Lankford and Miss Moore, my fourth great grandparents.

Edward’s father, Robert, had a complex marital history. His first wife (of three) was Susie whom he married in Oglethorpe County on December 10, 1854. Robert and Susie welcomed four children into the world: Elizabeth Susan Lankford, Edward James Lankford, Charles F. Lankford, and Robert S. Lankford. However, tragedy struck when Elizabeth, born out of wedlock in September 1852, did not survive infancy. She passed away in December 1854, a year before Edward’s birth.

At just three years old, Edward faced another devastating loss. His mother, Susie, died on May 24, 1859, in Oglethorpe County, at the age of 21. Adding to the family’s grief, Edward’s infant brother, Robert, born on April 22, 1859, survived only eight weeks before passing away on June 17. The Daily Constitutionalist documented Susie and Robert’s deaths on July 14, 1859:

Obituary. 

Died, in Oglethorpe county, Ga., on the 24th day of May last, Susan E. Lankford, wife of Robert C. Lankford, and youngest child of Silas and Lebertha Brook, aged twenty-one years.

Deceased was the subject of affliction for several years, which she bore with Christian resignation. She embraced religion when but a girl, and united with the Baptist Church at Baird’s, Oglethorpe county, and lived a devoted Christian until her death. She left an infant child which only lived eight weeks, and two other children, husband, and widowed mother to mourn her loss. For several days previous to her death she gave the brightest and strongest evidence of her acceptance with God. She exhorted husband and friends to meet her in Heaven. Her illness, though short, was severe and painful; but the God whom she loved stood by and supported her in the hour of her trials, and calmly and peacefully she fell asleep in Jesus. J. H. M. 

According to the book Cemeteries of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Second Edition, published by the Historic Oglethorpe County, Inc. in 2002, the Lankford Family Cemetery in Oglethorpe County is the final resting place for Susie, daughter Elizabeth, and son Robert. Alongside them rest approximately 35 unidentified individuals. 

Notably, Robert’s family added a touching tribute to Susie: she was memorialized on Edward’s father’s obelisk stone at Bairdstown Cemetery after his passing years later.

Less than a year after Susie’s passing, Edward’s father married his second wife, Elizabeth Bennett, on March 4, 1860 in Greene County, Georgia. Robert and Elizabeth welcomed two additional children to the family—William Mell Lankford and John Wesley Lankford. 

On June 16, 1860, Edward and his family resided in Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. His father supported the family working as an overseer. William joined the family in 1861.

Edward’s father, Robert, served as a private in Company E of the 3rd Regiment, Georgia Reserves, under Carswell’s Brigade during the Civil War. In October 1864, Robert suffered a compound fracture of his left knee in a railroad accident near Griffin, Georgia, while being transported to Savannah. His pension application noted that bony deposits in his leg left it substantially and essentially useless.

On July 26, 1870, the Lankford family resided in Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Edward’s father, a farmer, owned real estate valued at $600 and had a personal estate worth $500. His stepmother, originally from Virginia, managed the household. Edward, aged 15 and listed as ‘Eddy,’ worked as a farm laborer and could read but not write. His brother Charles was unable to read or write. A 22-year-old man named William Lankford lived next door, although the exact connection to the family remains uncertain.

At the age of 21, Edward married Nancy “Nannie” T. Reynolds, daughter of William and Cynthia Reynolds, on January 17, 1877, in Greene County, Georgia. The ceremony was officiated by Charles C. Davison, a Notary Public and Justice of the Peace.

The Greensboro Herald documented the marriage as January 16, rather than the 17th.

Edward and Nannie had 12 children: Ethel “Etta” S. Lankford, Roland Lankford, Robert Lankford, James Brook Lankford, Sallie Mae Lankford, Idarene Lankford, Pearl M. Lankford, Ruby Lankford, Cecil Lankford, Thomas Watson Lankford, Sythia E. Lankford, and Edwin John Lankford. Unfortunately, five of their children did not survive infancy.

In November 1879, Edward’s infant son Roland, aged eight months, succumbed to diphtheria. The following year, his son Robert was born and passed away in 1880. Both children were laid to rest at Bairdstown Cemetery in Bairdstown.

On June 3, 1880, Edward, his wife Nannie, and their three-year-old daughter Ethel (enumerated as Etta) resided in Bairdstown. Edward worked as a brick mason, while Nannie managed the household. Edward’s father, stepmother, and two youngest brothers lived next door.

Soundex census card for Edward’s family, 1880

On Christmas Eve in 1883, tragedy struck as Edward’s stepmother, Elizabeth Bennett Lankford, passed away on December 24. She was laid to rest at Bairdstown Cemetery.

In 1886, Edward had a bustling year. He secured a painting job inside Woodville Baptist Church in February. The Georgia Home Journal praised his work, stating that the church would become a ‘model of beauty and finish.’ In mid-February, Edward joined a turkey hunt with Col. Joe Davison, C. D. Durham, and Robert Lankford. While Mr. Durham and Robert successfully bagged turkeys, Edward and Joe playfully wasted their ammunition on robins along the wayside during the return home. By the end of February, Edward found himself unemployed and eager to ‘whitewash the village.’

In March, Edward had another chance at turkey hunting. He joined J. L. Young, Robert Lankford, Hamp McWhorter, and Col. Joe Davison. The group covered 20 miles over five hours, with significant intervals between each turkey kill. In May, Edward took on the task of painting Bairds Baptist Church in Bairdstown, completing it by the end of June with assistance from his sons.

Bairds Baptist Church, Bairdstown, Georgia

Unfortunately, one of Edward’s infants suffered from a severe illness in September 1886, although the specific child remains unknown. Finally, Edward finished painting Mr. B. P. Guill’s home on December 24, just in time for Christmas.

In 1887, Edward’s daughter Idarene was born and tragically passed away. In 1888, Edward’s father married his third wife, Martha A. Bowers, in Westminister, South Carolina. Martha had previously been married to Mr. Brady and John H. Burton, and had two sons, Frank and George Brady. The same year, Edward’s daughter Ruby was born and died. In 1891, Cecil was born and met a similar fate. Idarene, Ruby, and Cecil, along with Roland and Robert, were laid to rest at Bairdstown Cemetery. If you visit the cemetery, you will find all five graves arranged in a single line.

In May 1888, Edward was contracted to paint and plaster the home of W. F. Adkin. In March 1894, he painted the home of Maj. A. T. Brightwell, followed by the new school building in Maxeys in April 1894. In May of the same year, he applied ‘a nice white coat of paint’ to F. D. Gilliam’s home. Later, in September 1894, Edward turned his attention to plastering the Woodstock residence of A. T. Drake.

By May 1896, Edward’s reputation had grown, and he was hailed as ‘one of the best painters in this section of the country’ after painting Mr. S. T. Gillen’s home in Maxeys. In January 1897, he tackled T. B. Bailey’s residence. Finally, in May 1899, Edward began work on Mamie Downer’s home on Railroad Street, starting with a primary coat of paint and returning in June to apply the finishing touches.

In March 1900, Edward was contracted to perform work for Judge W. M. Brook. On June 1, 1900, Edward and his family resided in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia. Edward worked as a house painter, while his daughter Ethel held a position as a music teacher, and his son James labored on the railroad. At this point in their lives, Edward and Nannie had celebrated 23 wedding anniversaries. Nannie had given birth to 12 children, of whom 7 were still living. Interestingly, their son Edwin was enumerated as Edward Jr., although this is the only instance where I have seen that designation. Edward owned his home, and both he and Nannie, along with Ethel, James, Sallie, and Pearl, were able to read, write, and speak English. Sallie, Pearl, and Thomas were all attending school. My second great-grandparents, James C. Lankford and Mary Ann (Wilson) Lankford, along with their family, lived just seven houses away. In September 1900, Edward visited Peter in Daltonville. Peter had previously resided in Bairdstown. Later that year, in November, Edward was working in Maxeys, ‘making old things look new.’

In January 1901, Edward, along with several others, including his daughter Ethel, attended a New Year’s Day dinner hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dalton. Two weeks later, he spent an evening with Peter. Edward revisited Peter’s Daltonville home in August 1901. Later that year, in November, he painted the Stephens home of Ned Young.

On April 9, 1902, Edward’s stepmother, Martha, passed away. She was laid to rest at Bairdstown Cemetery. The Oglethorpe Echo documented her death on April 18, inaccurately listing her as ‘Mrs. R. T. Langford:’ 

Bairdstown (news), Mrs. R. T. Langford, “The Oglethorpe Echo,” Crawford, Georgia, April 18, 1902. —Died, on the 9th of this month, Mrs. R. T. [sic] Langford, in the fifty-eighth year of her age. She was a faithful member of Center church. The funeral services were conduced [sic] by Rev. Mr. Bowden, of Winterville. The services were held at Bairds church and her remains were laid to rest in Bairdstown cemetery. She was a truly noble woman in many ways. She leaves a host of relatives and friends who truly mourn her death.

In May 1902, Edward and his brother dedicated a month to painting the town of Maxeys. While Edward typically used white paint, this time he opted for red. Perhaps he was working on a barn. In addition to his painting skills, Edward was a brick mason and contractor. In July 1902, he ventured to Watson Springs, just outside of Greensboro, where he crafted a cement rock basin and made other improvements. Watson Springs, known for its spring with what is believed to be curative properties, had several log cabins on the property and a ferry nearby for crossing the Oconee River.

By April 1903, Edward had turned his attention to the Maxeys home of J. E. Marable. He continued his work in Maxeys through June 1903, even taking on some whitewashing tasks for Mamie Downer.

Edward’s father, Robert, passed away in Oglethorpe County on December 15, 1909. He was laid to rest at Bairdstown Cemetery. Interestingly, there appears to be a discrepancy in Robert’s death date. While his tombstone bears the December 15 date, an application submitted by Edward for a Pension Due to a Deceased Pensioner on January 1, 1910, lists the death date as December 19. Unfortunately, no other records have been found to confirm the date.

On April 18, 1910, Edward and his family resided on Woodstock Road in Woodville. Edward owned the home, which was classified as a farm and free and clear. His occupation was that of a farmer on a general farm. Both Sallie and Pearl worked as schoolteachers, although Sallie had been out of work for 24 weeks. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Thomas worked as a farm laborer on the home farm. Everyone in the household was able to read and write. Edward and Nannie had now been married for 34 years. Interestingly, the Lankford home was just five houses away from Charles C. Davison, the man who officiated their marriage in 1877. Their daughter Ethel, now married but seemingly seeking a divorce, had returned home. Although she was enumerated as being married for four years and having one child, neither the child nor her husband lived there. I did find her husband living in Farmington, Oconee County, Georgia, listed as widowed (which was not the case), but there was no one-year-old boy residing in the home.

The mystery surrounding Ethel’s family led me to delve into the details. It appears that her husband, Weldon Branch, grappled with a drinking problem. Along with divorce proceedings, Ethel also sought alimony, which was granted in 1912 for her and her son, James L. Branch. Interestingly, there was a condition attached: if Weldon agreed to abstain from alcohol, maintain sobriety for five months, and reconcile with Ethel, he would be exempt from paying alimony. Fast forward to Ethel’s 1937 obituary, which identifies her as the wife of Weldon Branch. It seems they worked things out and were able to remain married but Edward and Nannie were there to support Ethel in her time of need.

It seems that Edward’s father, Robert, did not leave a will, but there’s evidence suggesting that Edward was named an administrator. In November 1910, Edward, along with William L. Lankford, C. K. Lankford, and J. W. Lankford, participated in the sale of his father’s land—a substantial 203½ acres in Bairdstown.

Edward’s grandson, James L. Branch, passed away on January 4, 1913, under circumstances that remain unknown to me. James was laid to rest at Woodville Cemetery.

On January 2, 1920, Edward and his family resided in a home he owned, free and clear, on Augusta Street in Woodville. Three adult children remained in the household: Ethel (now single), Pearl, and Sythia (enumerated as Seythy). Edward balanced his time between brick masonry work and farming. Ethel took charge of housekeeping for her mother, while both Pearl and Sythia worked as teachers in public schools. Everyone in the home was able to read and write.

Interestingly, they lived next door to Mollie Durham, whose daughter, Annie May Durham, was also a schoolteacher. The mention of Annie May Durham brings back memories for me—my Daddy often spoke about her. In fact, she was one of the teachers who shared the story with him: the alleged rape of Alice Beman Lankford by Thomas P. Janes Jr., which resulted in the birth of my grandfather, Carroll Harvey Lankford.

Edward passed away on April 9, 1924, in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, due to diuretic poisoning, which was further complicated by Bright’s Disease. Diuretic poisoning occurs when the kidneys produce an excessive amount of urine. 

Edward, by all accounts, was a devout Christian and a man of unwavering integrity. As one of the first settlers in Woodville, he established himself in the hearts of the community—a place he held until the end of his life. Edward actively contributed to the well-being of the town, supporting the school and demonstrating loyalty to his neighbors. His commitment extended to the Woodville Baptist Church, where he played a vital role as a charter member. Despite facing health challenges, including a paralytic stroke, Edward remained patient and steadfast. He left a legacy of resilience and Christian fortitude for all who knew him. Edward was survived by his wife Fannie, sons James, Thomas, and Edwin, and daughters Ethel, Sallie, Pearl, and Sythia. He was laid to rest at Woodville Cemetery. 

Fannie was interred beside him upon her passing a decade later.

References

• Bairdstown (news), Mrs. R. T. Langford, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, April 18, 1902.
• Brought by Mail: From the Different Sections of Oglethorpe County, Maxeys Matters, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, May 18, 1894 and January 22, 1897.
• Cemeteries of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Second Edition, Historic Oglethorpe County, Inc., 2002.
• Correspondence, Neighborhood News Notes We Put in Pickle, Woodville, Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, May 28, 1886.
• Correspondence, Out Busy News Gatherers Who Never Tire, Woodville, Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, March 19, 1886.
• Correspondence: Neighborhood News Notes We Put in Pickle, Woodville (news), Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, May 28, 1886, June 25, 1886, September 10, 1886, and December 24, 1886.
• Correspondence: Our Busy News Gatherers Who Never Tire, Georgia Home Journal, February 26, 1886.
• Correspondence: Our Busy News Gatherers Who Never Tire, Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, February 12, 1886.
• Correspondence: Our Busy News Gatherers Who Never Tire, Woodville (news), Georgia Home Journal, Greensboro, Georgia, February 26, 1886.
• Death of E. J. Lankford Recently at Woodville, newspaper and date published unknown.
• Diuresis: What You Need to Know About Increased Urine Production, Healthgrades; https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/kidneys-and-the-urinary-system/diuresis. 
• Divorce Refused by Greene County Jury, Atlanta Georgian, Atlanta, Georgia, July 30, 1913.
• E. J. Lankford (for R. C. Lankford), Application for Pension Due to a Deceased Pensioner, January 1, 1910.
• Edward James Lankford, Standard Certificate of Death no. 12033, Georgia State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• Edward James Lankford’s tombstone, Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia.
• From Our Correspondents, Daltonville, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, September 14, 1900, January 4, 1901, and January 18, 1901.
• From Our Correspondents, Maxeys Matters, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, July 25, 1902.
• From Our Correspondents: The County Localized by Communities, Daltonville, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, August 2, 1901.
• From Our Correspondents: The County Localized by Communities, Maxeys Matters, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, May 9, 1902 and April 3, 1903.
• From Our Correspondents: The County Localized by Communities, Stephens Atoms, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, November 22, 1901.
• Happenings About Maxeys, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, May 12, 1899.
• Important Cases—Oconee Alimony Case, The Weekly Banner, Athens, Georgia, January 26, 1912.
• Married, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, January 26, 1877.
• Maxeys Matters, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, March 23, 1894, April 27, 1894, May 22, 1896, June 2, 1899, and June 19, 1903.
• More Correspondence, Maxeys Matters, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, November 2, 1900.
• Mrs. Ethel Langford Branch, Certificate of Death no. 29324, Georgia Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1937.
• Mrs. W.L. Branch Passes at Bishop, Athens Banner Herald, Athens, Georgia, May 16, 1937.
• Notice, The Athens Banner, Athens, Georgia, November 10, 1910.
• Obituary (Susan E. Lankford), The Daily Constitutionalist, Augusta, Georgia, July 14, 1859.
• Personal visit to Bairdstown Cemetery, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
• R. C. Langford, Disabled Soldier's Pension, 1903.
• R. Lankford, Bairdstown and Falling Creek, Oglethorpe, Georgia, U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850–1885.
• Stephens Atoms, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, March 9, 1900.
• Susie Brooks Lankford’s tombstone, Bairdstown Cemetery, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia.
• Through the Mails: From Different Sections of Oglethorpe County, Antioch, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, May 4, 1888.
• Through the Mails: From Different Sections of Oglethorpe County, Bairdstown, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, April 6, 1888.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bairdstown, District 232, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1880, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bairdstown, Georgia Militia District 228, Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Dirt Town Valley, Chattooga County, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Farmington, Oconee County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Maxeys, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1900, 1910, 1920.
• Watson Springs, Georgia Historical Society; https://www.georgiahistory.com/ghmi_marker_updated/watson-springs/. 
• Woodstock, The Oglethorpe Echo, Crawford, Georgia, September 21, 1894.