Cora Lankford was born on April 29, 1875 in Steen Township, Knox County, Indiana to Harrison Lankford and Mary Emeline Gilmore.  There were at least four children born to this union, however, only two reached adulthood–Cora and an older brother William.  Harrison supported the family through farming while Emeline kept house.  They continued to add to the family until approximately 1890 when an unidentified child belonging to Harrison was reported to be interred on February 24th of that year.  It is believed that Emeline passed away sometime in 1890 or 1891, although no documentation has been located.  In February 1892, Harrison married Melissa McCart Morris.  Melissa had three teenage sons with her first husband–Harvey, Allen and Henry–who also joined the family as the result of the marriage.  Melissa and Harrison added to their brood in 1894 with the birth of their only son together, Charles.  Harrison died in 1899.

Five years after their parents were married, Harvey and Cora were married on November 16, 1897.  They made there home in Vigo Township near Edwardsport.  Harvey supported the family managing a restaurant, as the watchman at the Edwardsport Power Plant and later as a coal miner.  Together they had three children–Beatrice, Arthur and Genevieve–all who lived to adulthood.  Harvey and Cora continued to live out their lives in Edwardsport for nearly 38 years.  On March 14, 1935, Cora passed away after battling intestinal cancer for several months.

Cora Lankford was my 1st cousin 4x removed on my dad’s side.

REFERENCES

• United States Census, 1880, 1910, 1920, 1930
• Indiana Marriage Collection
• Indiana Death Certificates
• Find A Grave website
• Vincennes Daily Commercial, February 25, 1890

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