Cora Catherine Gladden Lambert (1881-1967) Census Records

Cora Catherine Gladden is the daughter of William Langstaff Gladden and Zula Ann Gladden. She was born in 1881. The first census record I have is from 1900, which shows her as a 19-year-old in her parents house. Interestingly, her birth month is listed as November 1881, which disagrees with my own records where her birth is listed as 14 Aug 1881. Which is right?

[1900 census record cropped]
I stumbled across the 1910 census record while looking for her sister Mary Ann Gladden -- listed as Bullings on this record meaning she was already married. You can see at this time that little Catherine has been born. Here, as in the other census records, Mary's husband is not listed.

[1910 census record cropped]
The 1920 census record lists her with her husband, "Osca L" (Oscar) and her daughter Catherine L., who is 10 at this time. Also included in the record is a sister, Mary A. Bullings, who is is Cora's sister, Mary Ann, with her married name.

[1920 census record cropped]
The 1930 census record again shows her and her husband, Oscar L. Lambert. Also in the house is a Katherine Via (or Vea?), listed as a daughter; and Fred C. Via, a son-in-law. Interestingly, another member of the household is none other than Zula "Glanddin", her mother, who, by this time, is a widow.

[1930 census record cropped]
Interestingly, there are three others listed in the house, namely: Mary "Bullinge", listed as a 40-year-old sister, again Cora's sister; John T. Cobb, a 40-year-old boarder; and one Albert Pickerel, an 8-year-old boy who is listed as an adopted son. It is very likely that Albert is the adopted son of Cora and Oscar, but that conclusion can not be fully drawn from this record alone.

William Langstaff Gladden (1841-1925) Census Records

The parents of William Langstaff Gladden were Edward Mansfield Gladden and Henrietta Robson (her maiden name is likely, but unconfirmed at the time of this writing). William Langstaff Gladden was born on 26 December 1841. There was an English census taken that year, but he didn't arrive in time. The first census record he appears in is the 1851 English census record for Saint Giles Parish, Borough of Reading, Town of Reading. He appears as a 9-year-old "scholar". His father's profession is listed as "Painter and Glazier" and many of his siblings are shown on the two pages. The address is listed as 25 London Street.

[1851 census record cropped 1]

[1851 census record cropped 2]
Ten years later, he appears in the 1861 English census for the same location, but with an address of 16 London St. Here, he is listed as a "Painter". Clearly, it seems he was following his father's profession and even more siblings are discovered herein.

[1861 census record cropped]
At this point, he seems to disappear. Family folklore, unconfirmed, is that William Langstaff Gladden was conscripted into the British Navy, made landfall in The United States, and deserted. Family information lists his marriage to Zula Ann Neighbors, a girl from the very large Neighbors family in the hills in Virginia. The marriage date is listed as 3 July 1872, but I have no source for this date (but it is unchallenged).

After this time, he shows up in the U.S. Census records in Virginia, first in the 1880 census of Cave Spring District, Roanoke County, Virginia, taken on the 24th of June, 1880. Here, he is listed with a profession of "Painter" and already has four children, including my own great-grandfather.

[1880 census record cropped]
The 1890 census record for Virginia was lost, but the 1900 record is intact. Herein, he is shown with an age that is off by about 5 years (maybe he lied to keep his identity secret?) Clearly, though, judging by the names of his wife and children, this is the same William. His profession is still listed as "Painter" but adds in parenthesis "House". All of his surviving children are listed on this one record. Here, again, he appears to lie about his age.

[1900 census record cropped]
I can't seem to find a census record for 1910, but in 1920, I find him in the Cave Spring District in Virginia. He is renting a home there and appears to live alone with his wife. Note that here he actually lists his more approximate age (78).

[1920 census record cropped]
From here, it is known that he passed away on 5 March 1925 in Roanoke, Virginia. A few questions remain:

-- What exactly were the circumstances of William's coming to America -- did he really jump ship or is that just family folklore? (Is there conscription paperwork from England somewhere out there?)
-- Why can't I find him in 1910?

Anybody out there know?!

Jacob Heathcote Langston (1863-1930) - Photographs

These are most of the photographs I have of my great-great-grandfather, Jacob Heathcote Langston. This first one is of him and his young wife, Alice Maude Hall, whom he married in the St. George Temple on 1 October, 1884. This was apparently taken on their wedding day when he was 21 and she was 20.

This next image is of him in his later years with his surviving son, Jacob Alma Langston (everybody called him Alma, shown on bottom). The other person, identified as Orlando Hepworth, I'm guessing was a friend of Alma's. I do not know the year that this image was taken.

This next image is Jacob and his surviving brothers (two died as infants), John Franklin Langston, who died in 1910; Isaac Heber Langston, who died in 1939; and William Robert Langston, who died in 1940. I believe John and Isaac are to his left, and William is to his right.

This next image is of Jacob and his second wife, Sarah Malinda Alldredge, whom he married 5 March 1924. She was previously married to a George Eli Talbot, who had passed away on 15 March 1922; with whom she had had eight children. Some records show that she was sometimes called "Sade."

Jacob Heathcote Langston (1863-1930)

Apparently written by Myrtle Kezia Langston, Jacob's fifth child, though this is unconfirmed.

Jacob H. Langstonw as the young man chosen by Alice Maude Hall to be her mate -- "to love, honor, and cherish him throughout all time and eternity."

He was born in Rockville, Washington County, Utah, on January 20, 1863, and was the first white child born in Rockville after the settlers made their homes there. His parents were John Langston and Clearinda Phillips, who, with the William Crawford and Marills Terry Hanson families, were the first settlers in the Dixie area, now the present site of Rockville.

Father was baptized in the Virgin River at the age of eight and was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His childhood was spent among pioneers of the Dixie country, so his experiences were of pioneer type -- rugged but always happy. The first experience of which he remembered, however, was not so pleasant. When his mother took away his little green dress, which he thought was the best ever made, and put him in pants, proved to be a very sad day in his life.

His schooling was very limited, having spent but a few weeks all total in the class room, but he learned to read very well and became an exceptional speller. Through his great interest in the news papers, history, and church books, and other reading materials which was available, he gained a fair knowledge. His personal endeavor to learn helped him in all his life activities, which were varied and interesting.

During his sixth year, father remembered of a very thrilling yet frightening experience. At the time there was a big flood in the Virgin River, and it was a very interesting sight to all in the near vicinity. Men, women, and children from the community were lined along the river bank, high above the water line, watching the roaring flood. One of father's young playmates, thinking it would be a great joke, pushed him off the bank into the swirling,muddy river.

He was quickly swept out of sight with the debris in the flood, as the horrified onlookers stood helplessly on the river bank. Fortunately, father's older brotehr, Frank, was some distance below where he was pushed into the stream, pulling driftwood out of the river, which was to be used for fuel. Several people shouted to Frank and told him to get Jake out as he was swept along with the current. So Uncle Frank waded out into the swift water and tried to catch every floating object, with the hope of finding father. While Uncle Frank was scanning every inch of the surface of the water as it passed by him, an object lodged against his legs. He reached down and caught what proved to be father's hair and pulled him out of the water. He looked more like a mud hen than a little boy and seemed dead. After an hour of trying to revive father by rolling him on the ground, he regained consciousness. That night he broke out with the measles and was a very sick boy because of his weakened condition due to the near drowning. The proper medical care could not be secured; consequently there seemed no hope for father. In his own little heart, however he felt that if his mother would only anoint him with consecrated oil and pray for him, he would get well. He was too weak to even speak and tell her, but his mother felt impressed of the same thing, so she followed the dictates of her heart. After doing so, father rested and began his recovery.

When nine years old, father remembered of having malaria fever for nine months. During the long siege he became very weakened. One night he seemed to be possessed with a power over which he had no control and he told his parents that the devil was after him. He held his hand over the lamp and burned himself badly, and did other similarly foolish things. Finally his father, sensing a seriousness to the situation, asked Uncle Alfred Stout to assist him in administering to father. After the administration, father laid calm and relieved of the affliction and went to sleep.

Father enjoyed many and varied sports during his youth, such as, pugilistic encounters with the young Indians who lived in the vicinity, group contests of mud fights, apple (green) fights, wrestling, ball games called "rounders", horse racing, and swimming in the Virgin River.

At the age of seventeen, father was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood by Charles N. Smith on Feburary 19, 1881. This ordination to the office of Priest seemed to make a real change in his life, for he felt the necessity of being exemplar and of living a more religious life. HE always had a great deal of faith in prayer and his Heavenly Father, but was never asked to pray, nor did he remember of ever having prayed aloud until after this particular time in his life. The children were not asked to do much public service during his youth, and did not receive the advantages and benefits that the young people of today receive. From the following incident one can see the handicaps those pioneers labored under once they did begin to participate in their church and community. It was father's first experience in acting as a Ward Teacher. The first home he and his companion went to visit, father led the way but was so frightened that he entered the house without knocking. He quickly apologized, but he felt very keenly his situation.

Three years later, father was ordained an Elder on March 11, 1884 by Brother Charles N. Smith. Soon after this occasion he went to the temple in St. George and received his endowments. Six months later, on October 1, 1884, he was married in the St. George Temple to Alice Maude Hall, a very high-minded, noble young girl. President David H. Cannon performed the marriage of the young and eager couple. To them during their sojourn on this earth were born nine children, two sons and seven daughters, namely: Maude (Bishop), J. Alma Langston, Ella (Mecham), Sarah L. (White), Myrtle K. (Wright), Charles John Langston, Carrie (Theobald), Tressa (Terry), and Enola (Shalts).

From the many experiences which he had in rearing his family, we desire to record a few faith promoting and interesting episodes for those of his children who read this short personal history.

In 1892, father and Uncle John Stout rented a saw mill in Mt. Trumbull mountain in northern Arizona from David Stout, and moved their families there for the summer. At the close of the season he loaded his wagon with some lumber and house-hold belongings and moved back to Rockville. On the way they came to a very sandy area, and all the family who were able climbed off the wagon and walked in order to lighten the load. Alma, who was just five years old, climbed up on the seat in the front of the wagon. The seat consisted of a barrel with a tub turned upside down over it. Then the wagon suddenly lurched as it passed over a large rock when they were going down a rocky incline. Alma slipped off the seat and fell behind the horses hoofs and the wagon wheel passed directly over his head. When father picked him up his little head was rolled out to half its normal thickness, with one eye bulging, almost broken loose from the head and resting on the upper cheek.

Father called to mother, who was behind with Julia Stout, and the two women hurried to the scene. Mother promptly took his little head in her hands and gradually and firmly shaped it in a round shape again, placed the eye back in position. She quickly bandaged Alma's head, and, getting the consecrated oil, asked father to administer to him. After the administration, the group hurried as fast as a slow team of horses could take them to Rockville, about twelve miles away.

There were no doctors available to the pioneers in those days, therefore the injured had to rely on the knowledge of a self-trained nurse and the loving care of a mother. Mother faithfully nursed Alma for a few days, although father said they never expected him to live, and his injury seemed to heal all right. He suffered no apparent ill effects except that the pupil of the injured eye never would dilate properly.

On another occasion while father was moving alfalfa at his farm at Crank, which is located on the road between Rockville and Springdale, Alma was running here and there pulling green onions that had gone to seed. The alfalfa had grown thick in an old garden spot. Father did not know whether Alma had run in front of the mower knife or not. Before he could get the horses stopped, Alma had been cut in the instep of his foot by the knife. On examination, father found that an artery had been cut and quickly gave first aid with handkerchief and shirt, and then took him home as fast as he could.

Two nights later Alma awakened father by saying, "My foot is all wet." When the lamp was lighted father found that the artery had opened up again, and Alma's face was absolutely colorless from the loss of blood. He had barely sufficient strength to awaken the folks. He was made well by the Lord, who answered the prayers of faith. The family always found solace and comfort through prayer in time of need. The Lord blessed father and his family in that He healed those who were ill or injured.

The family lived in Rockville until March 1895 when they felt the necessity of moving to a more favorable location that better schooling could be had for the children, so at that time father moved his family to Hinckley. He purchased forty acres of land from Bishop Willim H. Pratt and started life anew in a new home.

Mother's health was never good after she started raising a family, which was a real hardship to both father and mother. They reared a large family, but never once did they complain. They were ever willing to struggle along, side by side, always faithful and true to each other. Mother finally passed away after six months of serious illness from paralysis and heart trouble, which had kept father almost constantly by her side. She died on July 18, 1922.

Father's son, Alma, had lost his wife and companion, Jennie (Camp), just exactly two months prior to mother's death, so father and son decided to cast their lot together. Father's youngest child, Enola, who was yet unmarried, took care of Alma's five children, youngest of whom was Keith, eight months old. Thus they lived until Alma married the second time -- to Edith Reeves. Even after the children had moved away father never ceased to act as "mother" to them. The children loved their grandfather dearly. One of his neighbors remarked, "I never saw a grandpa so loved." Father loved all children about him -- as was evidenced by the children at his death. They did not think of him as being dead, but just asleep, and would crowd into the room to see him by the dozens.

Father married again two years after mother's death to Mrs. Sarah A. Talbot, who was a kind, loving companion to him during his reclining years.

Father always felt that one could not live fully without giving service to family, friends, those in need, the church, and the state; and he always tried to do all he could. He served as Superintendent of the Sunday School in Rockville, and as president of the Young Men's M.I.A. while living in Hinckley. He served as the first bishop of Lynndyl for two years, then the family moved back to Hinckley. He served as a high counselor for many years in the Deseret Stake when he was released from this position to become president of the high priests quorum in the stake.

He was always interested in political affairs. He was an ardent believer in the Republican principles and was elected by his party to the State Legislature where he served during 1911.

He was very interested in dramatics and as a young man often took part in home dramatics. He was such a fun loving sort, so he was usually given the comic parts. He told of being given a serious part at one time. During the presentation of the play, at the very moment he was doing his utmost with the serious, dramatic part, he received a burst of loud laughter instead of the supposed tears and concern. The occasion decided, once and for all, that he was definitely out of his element in such a part.

He was desirous to give his family the best education possible with the limited means in his possession, so some of the family were sent to the B.Y.U. at Provo, Utah for a number of years and later to the Millard Academy at Hinckley. Ella went to Murdock Academy at Beaver for one year, too. Five of the children graduated from high school and three finished three years in high school. Two sons filled foreign missions -- Alma to Germany and Hungary, and Charles to Tonga in the south seas. The youngest son, Charles, died while on his mission, of influenza. His death brought great sorrow to father and mother, but they were always grateful in the thought that their son had died while working for the salvation of mankind, the greatest of all missions. He died on November 26, 1916, and his body arrived home on December 15, 1916. He was the first missionary sent from the Lynndyl Ward.

For the two years prior to this writing, June 12, 1930, father has been having some heart attacks which has made for him to perform the necessary labors as he would like. At this time, father has the following living relatives and descendents: wife, seven daughters, one son, one adopted son, thirty-four grand children and one great grand son, who was born on father's sixty-sixth birthday.

Father died just four days after this personal story was read to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, who were met at his home in his honor. He died of a heart attck on June 16, 1930. His passing was exactly as he had wished it to be, with no suffering, merely a step from the activities and associations of this mortal life to the other life and its associations there, especially that of mother, whose companionship was so perfect and dear to him.

I am sure we all felt in such a beautiful passing that it was the "End of a Perfect Day." Sweet are our memories of him.

(Ordained a Seventy on June 17, 1891 by Augustus Dodge; a High Priest on September 10, 1892 by Apostle Francis M. Lyman.)

Alice Maude Hall Langston (1864-1922)

Apparently written by Myrtle Kezia Langston, Alice's fifth child, though this is unconfirmed.

Alice Maude Hall was the fourth child born to John and Kezia Hall, and because the two babies born prior to her coming had died, Alice Maude brought great joy to the hearts of her parents. She was born on April 5, 1864, just about three years after her parents had arrived in Rockville, Washington County, Utah. Her parents had been quite well and established in Salt Lake City and her father was planning to go into business with his brother, Thomas, and manufacture the "Hall's Canker Medicine." Then in response to an urgent call for volunteers to develop and build in Dixie, her parents moved "bag and baggage," thus permitting Alice Maude to be born and reared in a rural community.

Her childhood was a normal, carefree period, although she remembered of sharing the work in the fields with her brothers and sisters. She used to watch enthralled while her mother would spin and weave material from which their clothes were made. All wearable pieces cut from old clothes brought from England were saved and used as trimming on the home-made clothes she and her brothers and sisters wore. To have a dress, even one of dark blue or green, with a bit of lace or ruffle trim was the nicest thing which could happen to a young girl, except for a birthday party.

When she was eight years of age, she was baptized a member of the Church. To her, that occasion was the first important stop in her life. Now she felt she was beginning to grow up. She, like all little girls, went through the stage of "paper dolls" and "make believe." For a young girl to pass through her childhood without tasting of the pleasure of making dolls from the corn cobs and corn silk and the pine cones was a shame. Alice whiled away the pleasant summer hours in the shade of a giant tree, or the cold winter days before the fire by activities typical of those pioneer times, which oft times was quite different from the recreation and play of the children of this modern day.

Although her school days were short in number, Alice Maude was very studious and always took advantage of the time she was in school. She had three teachers who were remembered in later years -- Jacob Terry, Henrietta Cox Stout, and Mary Stocks. The latter two teachers taught in Hinckley for a while. Through the guidance of such teachers, who performed their duties to the best of their abilities under the prevailing circumstances, Alice received a fair beginning to her education. She advanced in knowledge through her own initiative to the extent that she taught school in Duncan's Retreat, which at that time was a new but very progressive community. She roomed and boarded in the homes of Sister Mary Ann Wright and Emma Reeves during the time she was teaching.

Alice Maude was one of the fortunate ones who received musical training from her father on the organ, which graced their humble home. She progressed quite rapidly and served as ward organist for many years under the leadership of Hosea Stout. He praised her highly and said, "No one could be found who was more loyal and faithful to her duty and those whom she served." When her own family came, she taught four of the children what musical information she could, and they in turn served very competently as organists in their respective wards.

Some time prior to her marriage, she took a course of study in obstetrics and nursing under the tutorship of a mid-wife, Mrs. Norton, who lived in Washington, Utah. Her own mother was gifted with an understanding of nursing and doctoring, acquired through necessity. So Alice Maude often went out among the sick with her mother and also did some nursing alone, but never did it as a profession.

The religious training she received at home from her parents struck a chord within her and she had a great desire to serve whenever the call came to her. After the St. George Temple was completed, she frequently went there to work with her parents. She also received her own endowments during this time of her life, so it was natural enough to go through the temple when she was married.

When she was but a young woman, she was asked to be president of the Y.W.M.I.A. in Rockville. Her duties in this capacity and as organist in the ward kept her very busy, nevertheless, love found its way into her heart. She had had a number of opportunities of becoming a plural wife, but her love was bequeathed to another -- Jacob H. Langston. After a short courtship, she and Jacob were married in the St. George Temple on October 1, 1884, when she was but twenty years of age. It was a happy, beautiful day for her, and now she had passed another extremely important stage in her life.

There seemed only one thing to mar the gladness of that day. During the time she had studied obstetrics, she had been told that she would never be able to bear children because of a deformity. Naturally, this information was an avenue of concern and worry to her, especially now that she was married. She never became completely discouraged and often thought to herself that God would bless her with children if she had the faith and through righteous living. Later her graet desire was culminated when she, through fasting and prayer, became a mother to nine five sons and daughters. She fulfilled her destiny and privilege as a mother with never a thought of such things as birth control, even though much of her life was spent as an invalid. Her only regret was that she was not able to accomplish other work which she had wanted to do.

She and her husband later moved to Hinckley where several of their children were born. She was a helpful wife and good mother regardless of her being in ill health. She was always anxious for her family to work in the church, more so because of her own inability to do the work she had desire to do. She did her part by excusing the members of her family from household duties and tasks which she felt were less important at home in order that they might perform their work in the church organizations.

When two sons were called on missions -- Alma to Germany and Hungary and Charles to Tonga in the south seas -- her joy and happiness seemed complete. Even though they were not financially able to send two sons on missions, both boys were able to go through much sacrifice and effort from the rest of the family. Alice always felt that the Lord blessed their efforts to the extent that means were provided to fulfill their part of the mission calls even when it seemed quite impossible. Sorrow came to the family even in the midst of this happiness, when word was received that Charles had passed away during an influenza epidemic. He had left his earthly mission seemingly incomplete and gone on to a greater calling.

Through her church work and her family, she was able to still the aching emptiness in her for her son. She was secretary in the Relief Society under the presidency of Sister C.A. Allred. She served as a Relief Society teacher, a Primary teacher, and later served on the Relief Society Stake Board with Sister Mary C. Lyman in the Millard and Deseret Stakes for a number of years. Her work in these respective positions kept her busy but very happy. She was a woman of high ideals; she disliked anything cheap and vulgar. She enjoyed good humor, but if ever an offensive story or joke was told in her presence, a look of disgust was immediately expressed on her face. One of her closest friends said of her, "She was as pure in mind as any woman I ever met."

She was always honest and faithful in her associations with her neighbors and friends. She was greatly respected by all who knew her and worked with her. Alice Maude was a good and kind mother to her children, always imparting patience and love with her advice and teaching. Even in ill health, she had born nine fine sons and daughters, and had strived to be a faithful wife and companion to her husband.

When Alice's health began to get worse, she went to Salt Lake City where she could constantly be under the care of the doctor. She was not confined to her bed so she was able to spend most of her time working in the temple. After she returned to her home, she went to Dixie to visit some of her family. Because they consistently urged her, Alice Maude finally consented to have two major operations in an effort to regain her health. She spent the next few years in quite good health.

Then in the year 1922, Alice was stricken with partial paralysis and was very ill for about six months. Just a month before her death, President A.A. Hinckley gave Alice and her husband a recommend to get their second anointings in the Manti Temple. To Alice, this was a wonderful privilege. To her family after she had passed away, it seemed a fitting benediction to her noble life. Whenever Alice spoke or thought of that glorious visit to the temple, she seemed overjoyed and well satisfied.

One week after she and her husband had returned from Manti, Alice passed on to a greater life. On that day, July 18, 1922, her children and husband felt keenly the absence of a fine woman -- mother and wife, and the friends of the family paid homage to a woman with kindness of heart and generosity for all her acquaintance. Those who remain behind this day will long remember Alice Maude for her fine qualities which easily overshadowed the faults and failings she may have had.