Robert Louis Lankfard was described as having the appearance of a fine old gentleman. The photo below: he has the appearance to be a dignify man. He was handsome and was dressed well. He was well groomed and had fine clothing. He wore glasses.
Robert Louis Lankfard was born in Washington County in Kentucky on Feb 22, 1852. His parents were from Kentucky. Oral history states that Robert's mother passed away in Canton, Missouri.
Oral history states little about his siblings. He had a half sister named Mamie MORTON who was born in Kentucky. And other sister named Dora (LANKFORD) BROWN..Also, oral history states that Robert left Kentucky due to some family disagreement. Family members lost track of him.
Oral history states little about his siblings. He had a half sister named Mamie MORTON who was born in Kentucky. And other sister named Dora (LANKFORD) BROWN..Also, oral history states that Robert left Kentucky due to some family disagreement. Family members lost track of him.
The first known records of Robert was recorded on the 1870 and 1880 He was in Lewis County Missouri. His name was recorded as LEWIS LANGFORD on those census.
On the 1870 census, he was living in the household of Samuel Green and his wife Serilda and their daughter, Georgia. Serilda was Lewis' future sister in law. Also, Lewis was living next door to his future sister in law Mary Ann (Dade) Madison.
On the 1870 census, he was living in the household of Samuel Green and his wife Serilda and their daughter, Georgia. Serilda was Lewis' future sister in law. Also, Lewis was living next door to his future sister in law Mary Ann (Dade) Madison.
MARRIAGE
On January 25, 1873, Lewis LANKFORD married Miss Charlotta Dade. Their surname was spelled either LANFORD or LANKFARD. On other census records and city directories his first name was recorded as R. L and or Robert Louis. The first middle name was not spelled Lewis. However, it could have been spelled that way.
On January 25, 1873, Lewis LANKFORD married Miss Charlotta Dade. Their surname was spelled either LANFORD or LANKFARD. On other census records and city directories his first name was recorded as R. L and or Robert Louis. The first middle name was not spelled Lewis. However, it could have been spelled that way.
His name appeared as Robert L. LANKFORD in 1887 Kansas City Directory. In other city directories his name was R. Louis in 1890, R.L or Robert L in the St. Joseph, directories. His surname was spelled LANKFORD and LANKFARD from time to time. The first time LANKFARD was spelled in 1898 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Robert's surname was spelled LANKFARD from 1898 to 1902. 1911, 1914 - 1919 in the St. Joseph, City Directories. Robert and Charlotta and children came to St. Joseph in 1888.
CHILDREN:
Robert and Charlotta had eleven. Their surname was spelled LANKFORD and LANKFARD. Most of the descendants spell the family surname LANKFORD.
Robert's surname was spelled LANKFARD from 1898 to 1902. 1911, 1914 - 1919 in the St. Joseph, City Directories. Robert and Charlotta and children came to St. Joseph in 1888.
CHILDREN:
Robert and Charlotta had eleven. Their surname was spelled LANKFORD and LANKFARD. Most of the descendants spell the family surname LANKFORD.
OCCUPATION / RESIDENCY:
Robert was a boatsman, stone mason, Contractor, Builder, an official 1906 Chimney sweeper and a janitor for the City of St. Joseph, Missouri, He owned his own business. He was a landowner.
He was a grader, laborer. He was a proprietor for the Lankford Cafe restaurant . He had advertisements in the Iowa newspaper
Records state that Robert was in Lewis County Missouri during his early adult life. He married and had children. Later moved to Kansas City, Missouri and St. Joseph, Missouri about 1888. He lived in Denver Colorado about 1818 / 1919.
He was a grader, laborer. He was a proprietor for the Lankford Cafe restaurant . He had advertisements in the Iowa newspaper
Records state that Robert was in Lewis County Missouri during his early adult life. He married and had children. Later moved to Kansas City, Missouri and St. Joseph, Missouri about 1888. He lived in Denver Colorado about 1818 / 1919.
According to the census, stated that Robert couldn't read or write. For someone who was a builder and construction worker, that was amazing. He must have learned the trade from someone. He was a fine stone mason. He was a stone mason in Kansas City, Missouri, St. Joseph, Missouri and Denver Colorado.
BIRTH: HIS DEATH:
Robert was born into slavery. He was about 13 years old when slavery abolished.
Robert was born on February 22, 1852 in Kentucky. He was 67 years old at the time of his passing on November 14, 1919 in St. Joseph, Missouri. His death was recorded in the local news paper. He was listed as an ex-slave and wide known and industrious negro citizen of St. Joseph, MO, a native from Kentucky.
His funeral was held at his resident on 516 N 24th in St. Joseph, Missouri. His remains were laid to rest on November 18, 1919 in St. Joseph, Missouri at Ashland Cemetery.
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| Tombstone of Robert Louis LANKFARD and his wife Charlotta. |
Robert was born on February 22, 1852 in Kentucky. He was 67 years old at the time of his passing on November 14, 1919 in St. Joseph, Missouri. His death was recorded in the local news paper. He was listed as an ex-slave and wide known and industrious negro citizen of St. Joseph, MO, a native from Kentucky.
His funeral was held at his resident on 516 N 24th in St. Joseph, Missouri. His remains were laid to rest on November 18, 1919 in St. Joseph, Missouri at Ashland Cemetery.
Robert's cause of death... a fractured left femur due to an accidental fall. Robert had a terrible fell in 1887 in Canton, Missouri. He was researching a cellar for L. F. Pattern. He was lifting a stone to the arch already place. It gave way and threw Robert down falling on his shin bone.
In 1887, the accident to his leg was described as shin bone crushing it into small bits for servals inches and terribly mutilating the flesh and muscles."
In 1887, the accident to his leg was described as shin bone crushing it into small bits for servals inches and terribly mutilating the flesh and muscles."
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Mr. Robert Louis Lankfard a.k.a Lewis Langford / Lankford
Photo taken in 1892 outside his home with the Lankford/ Lankfard Family in St. Joseph, Missouri. Robert was about 40 years old in this photo. His wife and children were standing on his left. The family dog is in the photo next to Robert. |
