According to a news article published in The Canton Press Canton, Missouri on Friday, April 18, 1924 on page 3, mentioned the death of Mrs. Charlottie Lankford; “Lottie Dade as she was better known to the many of our older citizens was one of the best colored women who ever went out of Canton.” The article didn’t say why Lottie was so well known.
I can’t imagine how well known Lottie Dade must have been during her time. She was born in January of 1854 in Missouri. She was one of the formerly enslaved along with her siblings and parents Isaac Dade Sr. (1805 – 1890) and Frances “Frankie: Dade a.k.a. “Aunt Frankie” ( 1810 – 1901). The family was well known and lived in Lewis County Missouri area.
I can only imagine that Lottie gave of herself in whatever she did in her lifetime. Perhaps in your early years, she was a house servant while in her enslaved years. This could have been where she learned and developed her skills in life.
According to the 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1920 censuses, the censuses takers recorded her occupation as keeps house, (left blank), (None) and as a laundress at home. She must to have some skill and ability that left an impact on the older citizens of Canton, Missouri.
I wondered. What gift or ability did Lottie have? According to one of my cousins, she shared with me that Charlotta was a seamstress. I wondered if Lottie designed her own clothes?
As I look at the rare photos of Lottie, I can see that she was a stylish women and a well kept one at that. There are few photos of Mrs. Charlotta Lottie. The year of photos are unknown.
Oh, the style that she has on. She was a classy lady.
Charlotta / Lottie was one of 14. She was the mother of 11. Her husband Robert was a proprietor at the Lankfard’ Cafe, a restaurant ca 1911 – 1913 in St. Joseph, Missouri. I was wondering if Charlotta helped with the cooking.
I couldn’t find much about Charlotta (Dade) Lanford in the news papers. Her death certificate records her name as Charlottie Lankfard and obituary as Charlotta Lankford. But Lottie was the name that’s rarely recorded. Charlottie Langford was mentioned when her father Isaac Dade Sr. passed in 1890.
As I mentioned, Lottie came from a talented and well known family in the Lewis County Missouri area.
Here are a list of a few siblings:
Ben Dade: When his mother Frances passed in 1901, Ben’s name was mentioned.
He was a farmer and owned his home. He made out a will. There was a bridge that carried his name. The Ben Dade Bridge
Louisa Janie Dade Washington: Mrs. David Washington Sr.
She was described as a highly respect colored woman. They called her Aunt Jane…was ever considered most honest industrious good Christian woman. She was good and faithful.
Louis Newton Dade: They called him Uncle Lew
During pre Civil War Days he was a house servant while enslaved; Louis was a curvier of bones, shell work made paper knives, spoons and napkin rings. He got the nickname, Old Bone Dade. In 1910, he owned his home without mortgage. He was a business man, a novelty worker.
Isaac Dade Jr. aka Private Isaac Dayd, veteran
He was a musician that played a violin. He served during the Civil War.
Who was Lottie?
Her birth name was Charlotta Dade. She became a freewoman at the age of 11 in 1865. And at age 19 Lottie Dade a.k.a. Miss Charlotta Dade married Mr. Lewis Lankford on January 25, 1873 in Canton, Missouri. Her parents Isaac Dade and Francis Dade were witnessed the marriage.
The Lankford family moved from Canton, Missouri around 1887. They may have lived in Kansas City Missouri. However, they ended up in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1888.
In 1924, while Lottie was visiting her son Frederick Lankford in New York, she suddenly died. Her body was brought back to St. Joseph, Missouri. She was laid to rest next to her husband Robert.
Lottie was my mother Lula’s grandmother.
R.I.P. Great Grandmother Lottie.
Thanks for reading.
Mrs. “Lottie” (Dade) Langford Was One Of The Best ~
R.I.P. Great Grandma Lottie
Blessings
S.A.Blakley
This is a repost from my word press site.
April In Remembrance The DADE Family Connections:
April In Remembrance: Bartlett Family Connections
April In Remembrance: Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections
