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The following is from "Ancestry." If you have any information about the Langford/Waller family of Pope County please email Ali.
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.