Jesse Lankford, P. O., Marshall. Mr. Lankford was born in Isle of Wight county, Virginia, March 19, 1796, and is the son of George and Pamelia Aurora Lankford, formerly Herring. During his infancy, his parent moved to Pulaski county, Kentucky; remained there ten to twelve years, and then moved to Robertson county, Tennessee. Here his father died and his mother moved near to Nashville, Tennessee. When but nineteen years old, he went to New Orleans (as a substitute), in the command of Gen. Carroll, and took part in the battle of New Orleans, in 1815; after which he returned to Tennessee. In 1817, being then in the employ of Dr. John Sappington, of this county, he came with that gentleman, first to Callaway county, Missouri, and remained a year, and then moved to Saline county. He built a two-story log house for Dr. Sappington, it being the first two-story house in this county; and the lumber was sawed by hand. In 1821, in company with Alex Gilbraith, he built a saw mill on Salt Fork, now Jonesboro, which was the first mill in the county. He was married to Miss Nancy Garrett, April 24, 1828, daughter of Abel and Nancy of this county, natives of Virginia. In 1820 to 1829, Mr. Lankford was engaged in manufacturing salt. He spent much time and money in this enterprise, even purchasing in Virginia, a large cast-iron pan, with a capacity of three thousand gallons, which was transported on a flat-boat to the Lamine river, and landed at Saline. But he failed of success, and lost all the money he had invested in the enterprise. In 1841, he built a second mill at Jonesboro, in company with Mr. Boswell. In a few years, he returned to his farm. The school building in Arrow Rock was built by him. He was commissioned by Governor Miller, major of the militia. The names of Mr. Lankford’s children are as follows: Lavinia, Emily, Louisa J., Garrett, Jas. D. Geo. W., now living, and married, except George W., circuit clerk of the county. Mr. Lankford was the most enterprising man in Saline county, in those days, and through his long life has proved himself one of the most valuable citizens the county has ever had. In all his many years, his usefulness has been unflagging. In eleven more years, he will have lived a century, which proves how steady and temperate his habits have been. Trembling now, on the borders of that better, though unseen world, his long and honorable life stands out, a worthy example to the present and future young men of Saline.
