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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Pope County, Arkansas published by Southern Publishing Company in 1891.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John P. Langford is a man well known to the people of this community, for he has resided here since 1828, and has been interested in every effort made for the progress and development of this section. He was born in Jackson County, Ala., December 14, 1819, to Benjamin and Patsey Langford, who were born in South Carolina, in 1782 and 1780, respectively, moving from their native State to Tennessee after their marriage, and from there to Alabama, in 1819, and coming to Pope County, Ark., in 1828. This region was then still inhabited by the Indians, and the country was almost a complete wilderness, but Mr. Langford set to work immediately to clear a piece of land, and with the energy and perseverance which characterized the lives of so many of the brave and hardy pioneers

“He cut, he logged, he cleared his lot,
And into many a dismal spot,
He let the light of day.”

On a pioneer farm, in Pope County, the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, but owing to the newness of the country and the scarcity of good schools, his early advantages were very poor. He began making his own way in the world in 1840, and as he had been reared to farm life by his father, he determined to follow in the latter’s footsteps, and to the successful pursuit of this calling has devoted his life. He was first married in February, 1843, to Eliza J. McCain, a daughter of W. G. and Mary McCain, and to them the following family of children was born: Benjamin F., William M. and George A. deceased, and Mary A. living. The mother of these children was called from the scene of her earthly labors in 1864, and in May, 1866, Mr. Langford was united in marriage to Miss Ann E. Waller, her parents being Isaac H. and L. V. Waller. Mr. Langford has always been a Democrat, and his sons have followed him in this respect. He has held the office of justice of the peace in this county for four years, and for many years he has been a strict member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, his wife being a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. He has been postmaster of Scottsville, Ark., for some time, has proved an able official, and as a citizen, is worthy and honored. His father was probably the first justice of the peace in Pope County.

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This family biography is one of 96 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Pope County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Pope County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Pope County, Arkansas family biographies here: Pope County, Arkansas

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