Robert was the husband of Charlotte Dade Lankford. He was a contractor and builder.

Who was...
Robert Louis Lankford?
Robert L. Lankford?
R. Lewis Lankfard?
R.L. Lankford?
Lewis Langford?
Lewis Lankford?

He was also known as Lewis Lankford According to Robert Louis Lankford's Missouri death record, he was born on February 22, 1851 in Bennettetown, Kentucky.
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(I couldn't read the Kentucky town where Robert was born.)A researcher stated this: "Robert was born in Bennette Town. The town was located in Harlin County Kentucky. However that town is defunct and the exact Location in Harlin Co. Is not known It was an Unincorporated town that only existed in the 19th Century. via Jeannette K. Rook. ~ Thanks Jeannette.
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Robert's parents were Robert B. Lankford and Susan Munday. According to the census records, Robert's parents were from Kentucky.

Robert was born into slavery. He was listed as black. Some how he made his way to Missouri. I have located him in Lewis County on the 1870 census.

His name was LEWIS Langford. Lewis was a boarder. He lived with Samuel and Serilda Green. Lewis' occupation was a boatman. Serilda became Robert's sister in law when he married Charlotta Dade.

Three years later, on Jan 23, 1873 Lewis Lankford married a Miss Charlotta Dade in Lewis County Missouri. Charlotta's parents, Isaac and Francis Dade were witnesses to the marriage.

Also, I noticed on the 1870, Lewis was living next door to Mary Ann (Dade) Madison. Mary Ann was Charlotta's sister. Perhaps that was how Lewis and Charlotta met.

In this union of Lewis and Charlotta, they had 11 children. Here's the list of their children. James Andrew Lankford, Jennie Lankford, Lula May Lankford Madison, Frederick Lankford, Louis Add Lankford, Leo Lankford, Anna Alice Lankford Smith, Charles Edward Lankford, Stillborn (daughter)Lankford, Numadula Lankford and Isabelle V. Lankford Nickerson. There is a mystery of a Lankford child. Isaac Lankford Jr.

Lewis and Charlotta moved to St. Joseph, Missouri in 1888 By 1898, Lewis was going by the name of Robert Louis Lankford. He was listed in the 1890 St. Joseph, Missouri city directory as R. Louis Lankferd.

Robert was listed as a boatman, a laborer, stone mason, a builder,a contractor. I can assume that he did work on houses and did chimney work. Something late in October of 1919, Robert had an accident. He injured his leg.

On November 14, 1919 Robert passed away. Cause of death accidental fell. His doctor was Dr. Crossland. His was laid to rest in Ashland Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Robert L. Lankford was buried on November 1919 at Ashland Cemetery.

Oral History States: Robert was said to have owned about 40 acres of land. Don't know what happened to the land. This building still stands today.

There is a photo of Robert and Charlotta with their 7 children standing outside their home on 2411 Messanie Street in St. Joseph, Missouri

There is a family story of Robert Lankford having a half sister named Maime Morton. Robert and Mamie had to same mother. It was said that Mamie was the slave owner's daughter. I've not found information on Mamie Morton. Perhaps she married. She was said to have remind in Kentucky. Robert had a sister name Dora Lankford Brown.

Robert had other siblings. I did come across a black, Anna "Annie" Lankford who married Westley Johnson in Lewis County in 1871. Anna was born Washington County in Kentucky about 1848.

Also, I've heard that some of the MORTONS from Kentucky moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. Hannah Wilson B. Morton widow of Rev. David Morton. Son's Joseph, and Daniel Morton. The Mortons were from Russville, Logan Kentucky area.

Robert L. Lankford's son, Leo knew the Mortons. Perhaps worked for them. The Mortons hired some of Leo's children to do some of their domestic house work for them.

I don't know the connections with the Mortons and Lankfords. When Leo Lankford passed away one of the Mortons attended his funeral in September of 1954 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Some Of My After Thoughts:
A picture can say a thousand words. I see that Robert Louis Lankford wore eye glasses...He was a well dressed man. On the census records it stated that Robert couldn't read or write. I don't know. He had some know on or experience in building and construction work. He knew some kind of skill.

Robert 's appearance speaks well of him. He may have had another ethic origin in him. He didn't appear to have been all African descent. He will a well keep man.

Robert Louis Lankford live to be 58 years old. An accident ended his life. He memories lived on with his family.

Bio and Info complied by Susan Ann Blakley, Robert's Great Granddaughter
Contributor Susan Ann Blakley (#47406911)