John B. Lanford

LANFORD: John B. Lanford - The friends of John B. Lanford in this city were surprised and pained this morning to hear of his passing away during the night. He died at the home of his brother-in-law, Capt. C. N. Biscoe, on North Walnut Street.......Mr. Lanford had been ill for more than a year with some kind of stomach complaint and about three months ago was brought to the city..... In the death of Mr. Lanford, Phillips county loses one of her best known and oldest citizens. He was born in this county sixty-one years ago and lived all his life here, being known by nearly everybody in Helena...He was a son of the lamented William Lanford, one of the county’s pioneer planters...... The deceased was one of the best soldiers that ever went out from Arkansas, having enlisted in Capt. Green Roper’s company and served until the end of the war. He married Miss Augusta Small of the Goodwin neighborhood and of the union five children remain, three girls and two sons. These children are Allie, Mattie, Robert, Nellie and Willie. William H. Lanford of this city is a brother and Mrs. Jas. H. Lanier and Mrs. C.N. Biscoe are sisters.....Funeral services were held at the residence of Capt. Biscoe at noon today, Rev. W. B. Ricks, pastor of the Methodist church, conducting the ceremonies. The deceased was a life-long member of the Methodist church....Following the ceremonies at the Biscoe home the remains were taken to the old home six miles from Helena and there laid to rest in the family burial ground. John B. Lanford was one of five or six brothers, sons of William H. Lanford, all of whom were members of the Confederate Army, one being among the vast number who gave up their lives for the cause.