LANKFORD, Champlain, farmer and stock_raiser, P.O. Franklin. Mr. Lankford was born in Tennessee, March, 1822, where his father was engaged in farming, and where Champlain grew to man's estate, acquiring an education in a subscription school; at twenty_five he married Miss Nancy Ann Jones, daughter of Edward Jones, a native of Virginia; purchasing a small farm, he worked very diligently for many years; in 1856, owing to the reports of the fertility of Illinois, he set his face toward the west; in due time he arrived in Morgan County, settling in what is commonly called Mud Prairie, where he first rented, until he became enabled to buy; in 1862, his wife departed this life, the remains being interred in the Jones cemetery; on the decease of his wife Mr. Lankford was left with a family of five children; owning a farm of 170 acres, perhaps no man in the county worked more than he to bring land to a proper state of cultivation; the success achieved is due to his individual efforts; five children: Wm. E., Amanda, Hillery C., Reuben, and Harriet Ann
