GEORGE W. LANGFORD, with W. C. Browning & Co., clothing merchants of New York; residence, Havana; was born in Fulton Co., Ill., March 17,1831, and is a son of Asa and Nancy (Nevitt) Langford; the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Kentucky; he (the elder Langford) removed to Illinois in 1824, and settled in Fulton Co., and there laid out the old town of Waterford, subsequently becoming one of the proprietors of Lewistown (present capital of that county), and of Havana, this county, also connected, in various ways, with the early history of both counties. George W.. the subject of these notes, when about 8 years of age, came with his father's family to Point Isabel, just across the river from the present city of Havane, and about seven years later, located in the latter place; in 1848, he entered the employ of Walker Hancock & Co., and, in 1856, became a partner in the farm; this was the principal business house in Havana at that period, and had a large patronage, sales ranging from $75,000 to $110,000 per annum; in 1864, he engaged in general merchandise with C. G. Krebaum, under the firm name of Langford & Krebaum, aud about three years later went to Chicago, where he remained about one year, and then went to New York City; since 1869, he has been with his present house, W. C. Browning & Co., wholesale clothiers. Mr. Langford has served as a member of the Town Board, and several terms as a school officer. He was married, in 1851, to Miss Hester A. Allen; by this union there were two children:  William, living in Havana, and Charles R , who volunteered to take the place of telegraph operator at Memphis, Tenn., during the prevalence of the yellow fever there in 1878; after all the operatives in the office bad been stricken down with the terrible plague, and fell a victim to it himself, in 1878. Mr. L. was married to his present wife, Mrs. Amanda W. Blanchard (nee Walker), daughter of James Walker, on June 22, 1878; she had, by her first marriage, three children:  Frank W., Dell and Nellie. Mr. L. is a member of Havana Lodge, No. 88, A., F. & A. M.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer