Homer J. Lankford

Homer J. Lankford, born in July 1870 in Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, was the son of James C. Lankford and Mary Ann Wilson. His family was large, consisting of 10 children: Homer J. Lankford, Alice Beman Lankford, Julia Lee Lankford, Jessica Corinne Lankford, James Vason Lankford, Mary Corrine Lankford, Nathan Lawrence Lankford, Vincent Thomas Langford, Oliver Wilson Lankford, and Lillie Della Lankford. As my 2nd great-uncle, our nearest common relatives are his parents.

On June 10, 1880, the Lankford family resided in Falling Creek, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Homer, aged 10, was listed as ‘at home’ in the census. Although he attended school, he struggled with reading but could write. His father worked as a blacksmith, and his mother managed the household. Homer had three sisters—Alice, Julia, and Jessie—but none of them were attending school at the time. Their neighbors included Homer’s grandparents, James Meriweather Lankford, his wife Caroline (Hobbs), his 27-year-old uncle Ernest, aunts Laura (aged 23) and Marion (aged 21), and cousins Walter (aged 8) and Julius Wilson (aged 6), grandsons of James and Caroline. These boys were the sons of Emma Lankford Wilson, a daughter of James and Caroline who had likely passed away. Although I discovered Emma’s grave at Penfield Cemetery about 10 years ago, unfortunately, only her name was scratched into a stone. Recently, while researching historical newspapers, I found an article that might pertain to Emma, although I cannot definitively confirm it. It was the only record for the death of a woman with the surname Wilson that I could find.

The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, April 6, 1877
—There have been several deaths in the county within the last week. A Mrs. Wilson was burned to death near Maxey’s while burning off a straw field last week. …

On April 30, 1894, Homer married Leslie ‘Lessie’ Burton in Greene County. The ceremony was performed by John J. Daniel, a Justice of the Peace. Leslie’s parents were George W. Burton and Mattie Parham. Leslie had a twin sister named Jessie Burton. Jessie went on to marry George Washington Lankford Jr., who was a descendant of Curtis Caldwell Lankford and brother of James Meriweather Lankford.

Homer Lankford and Lessie Burton marriage certificate

On June 4, 1900, Homer and Leslie resided in a rented home in Woodville. Having been married for six years, they did not yet have any children. The census records indicate a nine-year age difference between the couple. Homer worked as a farmer, and both he and Leslie were literate, able to read, write, and speak English.

On September 30, 1902, Homer (aged 27 years, 2 months) enlisted in the Field Artillery division of the U.S. Army at Houston, Texas, under the command of Captain McClain, for a period of three years. The Field Artillery played a crucial role in providing artillery support during various conflicts and wars. Homer’s occupation at the time of enlistment was as a laborer. His physical description included blue eyes, dark brown hair, and a fair complexion. His height was recorded as 5’8”. Homer’s service was relatively short. He was discharged on December 9, 1902, at Presidio, San Francisco, California, after serving during the Philippine Insurrection for less than two months. In 1902, the Presidio served as a base for troops sent to the Philippines during both the Spanish-American War and the Philippine War.

U.S. Army Register of Enlistments

The paper trail for Homer ends with the Register of Enlistments, leaving unresolved details about his death. He likely died sometime between late December 1902 and before the 1910 census was taken. According to Find-A-Grave, Homer was buried at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Warfield, Putnam County, Georgia, but the date of his passing remains unrecorded. My request for a photo of his tombstone submitted in August 2020, has yet to be fulfilled.

As for his parents, James C. Lankford passed away on January 21, 1908, in Greene County. Mary, Homer’s mother, followed on March 26, 1919, in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. Both were laid to rest at Penfield Cemetery.

References

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132903343/homer_j-lankford: accessed July 30, 2024), memorial page for Homer J. Lankford (Jul 1870–unknown), Find a Grave Memorial ID 132903343, citing Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, Warfield, Putnam County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Jack Wooten (contributor 49753579).
• History and Park Making at the Presidio, Presidio, https://presidio.gov/about/history. 
• Homer J. Lankford, Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Homer Lankford, U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798–1914.
• Mr. J. C. Lankford, obituary, newspaper unknown, January 1908.
• Mrs. Wilson, The Greensboro Herald, Greensboro, Georgia, April 6, 1877.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 234, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodville, Greene County, Georgia, 1900.