Abram G. Langdon

Photo of Abram?

Probably not, but we’ll never know. The photo had “Herbert Langdon threshing in Cole’s Valley” written on the back. If Abram was in the photo, it seems like they would have added his name as well. Whoever the man above is, he obviously has a sense of humor. Here’s a link to the photo. LINK

He seems about the right age and lived just north of where the photo was taken. Also the time frame is right. Abram was 76 when he died on the 17th of July 1904 in Oregon. March 30, 1903 Herbert moves back to South Dakota. If it’s not a photo of him, at the very least I imagine he would have looked and dressed similar.

Abram G. Langdon 1828-1904

Abram was not an abbreviation of Abraham.

SIDE NOTE ABOUT HIS NAME:

There are records that identify him as Abraham, but they all seem to be recorded by people who thought it was an abbreviation of the name Abraham. Abram himself always gives his name as either A. G., or Abram. From what I understand, Abraham (Gideon’s brother) had a similar problem. There is a document for land in LaPorte Co., Indiana that shows Abraham crossing out “ha” so that the name is Abram. The Issue Date is 3/15/1837. LINK

Here it is corrected.  LINK

Personal Note

In Harold Minter’s book “Umpqua Valley Oregon and Its Pioneers” he writes:
“Little is known of the Langdon family history; common knowledge of their sojourn in Kellogg must be relied upon to give them their place in the annals of Kellogg.”

It’s wonderful to have a written account from someone that knew him.  We’re very lucky to have something like this, but there seems to be so much more.  He traveled the Oregon Trail, was a justice of the peace, owner of a gold mine, hotel owner, ferry operator, postmaster, speculated with land for railroads, was a member of the militia, etc. Hopefully we can flesh him out and add some more information.

1828

Born Dec 1828 in Hartford Township, Trumbull, Ohio.

• NOTE: 1850 Census claims he was born in Pennsylvania, but every census record after that shows his birthplace as Ohio. Tax and census records show that his father Gideon lived there in 1828, 1829 and 1830.
  
• 1828 Ohio Tax Record of Gideon Langdon. LINK
  
• 1829 Ohio Tax Record of Gideon Langdon. LINK
  
• 1830 Census showing Gideon in Trumbull, Ohio. LINK
  
• 1850 United States Federal Census – Name: Abraham G Langdon; Age 22; Birth abt 1828; Birthplace: Pennsylvania
  
• 1860 United States Federal Census – Name: A G Langdon; Age: 31; Birth: abt 1829; Birthplace: Ohio
  
• 1870 United States Federal Census – Name: Abram Longden; Age: 42; Birth: abt 1829; Birthplace: Ohio
  
• 1880 United States Federal Census – Name: A G Langdon; Age: 50; Birth: abt 1830; Birthplace: Ohio
  
• 1900 United States Federal Census – Name: A G Langdon; Age: 71; Birth: Dec 1828; Birthplace: Ohio
  

SPECULATION ABOUT HIS MOTHER:

His mother would most likely be Betsy Langdon. Three years later brother Ansel is born. In Ansel’s marriage to Phebe Stickle his mother is identified as Betsy.

1848

Shows up in Columbia County, Wisconsin History.

NOTE: This might be his uncle who had the same name.

1850

This is interesting. Abram G is in it and it is the only document I’ve seen where Rufus (Elder) has a middle initial. “J”

31 July 1850 (recorded 9 May 1851). Quit Claim Deed Rufus J Langdon to Gideon Langdon. LINK

• This indenture made this thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty between Abram G Langdon of Columbia County, Wisconsin and Rufus J Langdon of Marquette County said state of the first party and Gideon Langdon of the place last apraised? of the second party.

1851

10 January 1851 Abram G. Langdon marries Sally Langdon in Randolph, Wisconsin.

LINK  to image of certificate.

1853

Travels to Missouri and joins the Dimmicks on the Oregon Trail.

Arrives in Oregon between the 6th and 10th of October 1853. LINK

1951 letter from a Dimmick descendant about the Oregon Trail. LINK

1855

8 November 1855 Abram G. joins Company 1, 2nd Regiment of the Oregon Volunteer Riflemen as a corporal. Ziba Dimmick is a 1st Lieutenant and brother Ansel is a private.

• The company never experienced actual combat; it was disbanded in January of 1856, and permanently discharged on May 8, 1856.
  Source: “ Umpqua Valley Oregon and Its Pioneers”; Published 1967, Author: Harold Minter; pg. 204-205

Ansel & Abraham Langdon in the Oregon Indian Wars. LINK

A. G. Langdon runs the Langdon Hotel. “The choicest liquors and cigars may always be found at the bar.”

LINK 1

LINK 2

1856

Very interesting. He describes the Indian War.

• 21 March 1856 Kenosha Democrat.

• SPECULATION:
  Here’s a perfect example of Abram and Abraham confusing the heck out of me. The Land Bureau shows an Abram buying 40 acres of William Ewing’s 1812 Military Bounty land in 1857, and then buying another 40 acres the next year. (This is just west of Devil’s Lake). I thought this was Abraham, but now I’m not so sure. Why did he write the above letter to his friends in Sauk County and not Green Lake or Randolph? Why was he living with Abraham in 1850 and not his parents?
  

1857-1859

Early Oregon Pioneers database. Two of Abraham G’s children died in 1859.

Mother: Watts, Sarah Ann
Father: Langdon, Abram G

Langdon, W A • Male
Date of Birth   1857
Date of Death   Jul 1859

Langdon, L H • Female
Date of Birth   Dec 1858
Date of Death   Sep 1859

LINK

1864 – Gold mining during the civil war

He’s living in the mountains north of Boise, Idaho (North of Pioneer City). He is mining gold.

See below for information. He wrote to the Governor of Oregon asking if he would be interested in investing so they could buy mining machinery. LINK

This is happening during the Civil War. Here’s a great article about mining there at the time.

LINK

In August and September of 1864 a Mr. Gage dropped in to visit the mine and spoke with them. At the end of the first article he writes:

• “Mr. Langdon is an old Oregonian, and his home is in Elkton, Douglas County.”

1st Article:  LINK       •       2nd Article:  LINK

Who was Abram’s partner “Old Red” Bartee?

1861 article about him being attacked by Indians. .

Here he is in the book, “California Frontier Naturalists”. LINK

1870

Abram G. Langdon age 42 and wife Sarah Ann age 35  living next to the Dimmicks, in Elkton, Douglas Co., Oregon. (Ansil) Ansel Langdon age 39 is living with them. They have two daughters. Alzena age 11 and Louisa Age 3.

1871

26 Aug 1871 newspaper article from the Owyhee Avalanche, Idaho Territory. Langdon & Company, composed of eight men have leased the Woodstock Mine. LINK

1875

Notice to A.G. Langdon and partners that their share in the “General Connor” quartz ledge will be forfeit unless they pay $480 dollars. 

1878

16 April 1878 newspaper article from the Daily Oregonian in Portland, Oregon. Republican nominations; Douglas County; Assessor – A. G. Langdon. LINK

1879

20 Jan 1879 Sacramento Daily Record-Union.

Abram is named Postmaster of Smith’s Ferry, Douglas County, Oregon. LINK

1880

Abram G. Langdon age 50 and wife Sarah Ann age 46  living in Elkton, Douglas Co., Oregon. Daughter A. J. (Alzena) age 19 is living with them.

1881

28 Aug 1881 Idaho Statesman.
Talks about a shipment of Mining Equipment being delivered to the Langdon Ledge. LINK

1894

6 Sept 1894 brother Ansel dies. Abram is one of the executors of his estate. LINK

1895

27 January 1895, daughter Alzena Walker dies. She was the last surviving child of Abram and Sarah. They had 13 children. Most died in infancy.

13 June 1895. Newspaper article from the Plaindealer.
A. G. Langdon has a very painful accident. He is thrown from his horse, but his foot is stuck in the stirrup and he is trampled. LINK

1 July 1895. Newspaper article from the Plaindealer.
A. G. Langdon near Elkton is quite sick. LINK

1900

Abram G. Langdon age 71 and wife Sarah Ann age 65  living in Kellogg, Douglas Co., Oregon. Grandson Charles E. Langdon age 16 is living with them.

1903 

Wife Sarah dies April 1903 in Oregon.

1904

Abram dies 17 July 1904. Cause of death is is reported as consumption.

Douglas County Oregon Cemetery Index. Many Langdons are listed here. LINK

Probate Files 

Abram’s Probate files are online in FamilySearch. You might need to create a free account to view the images.

The Probate files start here: LINK

Abram G. Langdon Bio

• Source: “Umpqua Valley Oregon and Its Pioneers”; Published 1967, Author: Harold Minter; pg. 189-190. His death is incorrectly listed as August of 1903.

    Abram G. Langdon came to the Oregon country in 1853, with the same party as Ziba Dimick.  According to a letter written by Dimmick to his son Russell in 1865, the Langdon brothers, Abram and Ansel, joined their caravan in Missouri.  Abram chose his claim along the old pack trail to Elkton, about one mile north of Dimmick.  Little is known of the Langdon family history; common knowledge of their sojourn in Kellogg must be relied upon to give them their place in the annals of Kellogg.

    Abram and his wife Sarah were the parents of eleven children; all except one, Alzena, died in infancy.  Alzena married a Jim Walker in the early 1880s and had two sons and one daughter. She died shortly after her youngest, a girl, was born.  Etsel, the oldest boy, was raised by his grandparents and assumed the surname of Langdon.  The second boy, Jesse, was cared for by his father, and the little girl was taken by relatives then living in the Yoncalla area.  There is no record of what eventually became of any of Alzena’s children, or of their father.

   Through misfortune and mismanagement, most of Abram’s property was lost.  He moved off the home place around 1890 and established a home along the old military road in Mehl Canyon, about two miles northwest of his original claim.  Here Abram and his wife spent the rest of their lives.  Abram in his active years had taken part in the organization of old Umpqua County.  His name appears frequently in its record books as serving on juries and election boards, and he was a justice of the peace in Kellogg precinct.  A number of land transfers in that area also bear his name.

    Mrs. Langdon died in April 1903, and Abram in August of the same year.  They are buried on their homestead beside their eleven children.  There are no grave markers and the burial site is known to very few now living.

Justice of the Peace 

Ministers and Justices of the Peace who performed Marriages in Umpqua County, Oregon Territory. LINK

• Ancestry.com. Miscellaneous pages from the Oregon Genealogical Society newsletter [database on-line]. Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005.
  

Grandson Etsel 

SPECULATION

• What happened to Etsel? I can’t seem to find any record of him. I think the problem might be that he went by his middle name. In the 1900 census, grandson Charles E. is living with Abram. According to the article above Abram only had 3 grandchildren. 2 male and 1 female. Jesse and Etsel are their names. Could his name be Charles Etsel? Just after Abram’s death, George Dimmick took Guardianship of C.E. Langdon. LINK

SPECULATION

• This sounds like him. Charles Etssell Langdon; born 28 Dec 1882. This is a WWI draft card. He is age 35, has no profession and is living in Santa Clara, California at Agnews State Hospital as a patient. He is disqualified for service. Reason listed: Insane. LINK

Agnews State Hospital is now the home of Sun Microsystems. There is a small museum for the hospital on the grounds. LINK

Assuming this is the correct person, he’s buried in Mission City Memorial Park.
LANGDON CHARLES E
Death: Oct-20-1937
Age: 54
Place of Death: AGNEW STATE HOSPITAL
Location: SECTION “Q”
Number: 33
LINK

I have a few questions about this. He is shown as a student in school in the above photo taken in 1899. He would have been 17. When Abram dies in 1904 and George Dimmick takes over guardianship he would have been 22, but he’s listed as a minor. I’ll need to see if we can find the guardianship papers to shed light on who he is.

Harold Minter’s newspaper article. LINK

He mentions; “Etsel’s gullability made him the receipient of many practicle jokes.” but he also wrote; “Etsel was quite a character with a very fertile imagination, and had he lived in this generation he would have been an outstanding figure.”

George W. Dimmick appointed Guardian of minor C.E. Langdon.
LINK 1         LINK 2

SOLVED 2015

Here’s Charles Etsel named. His guadianship files are online at FamilySearch. LINK

The Langdon Gold Mine

In 1864 Abram and several partners formed the Bartee & Langdon Company and made three claims in the Boise valley of what is now Idaho. Their claim was about 4.2 miles north of the photo above on the forks of Charolette Creek.

In August and September of 1864 a Mr. Gage dropped in to visit the mine and spoke with them. At the end of the first article he writes: Mr. Langdon is an old Oregonian, and his home is in Elkton, Douglas County.

1st Article

Letter from Grimes’ Creek   (News Article)

Date: 1864-08-27

Paper: Idaho Statesman

Page 2

LINK

2nd Article

Letter from Pioneer City   (News Article)

Date: 1864-09-29

Paper: Idaho Statesman

Page 2

LINK

Letter From A. G. Langdon to Gov. of Oregon

He wrote to the Governor of Oregon asking if he would be interested in investing so they could buy mining machinery. Fun letter to read! LINK
Source: Addison C. (Crandall) Gibbs Papers, Mss 685, Oregon Historical Society Research Library. Box 3/Folder 4
Langdon, A. G. , Nov. 1, 1864
1 letter
LINK  to finding aid.

Here’s a transcription of the letter

Langdon City Nov. 1st 1864

Mr. A. C. Gibbs.

Dear sir I adreys you a few lines to inform you that I am driving a tunell of about 500 feet in length to prospect. Our Quartz Lodes – we have discovered (8?) different Lodes all being in the same hill or divide about 5 miles from Idaho City. – the Bartee – Alison – and Langdon Lodes. all of them prospect very well as far as we have went on them. the Bartee & Alison are decomposed about 10 feet in depth and pays Large Returns in Gold by washings. my object in writing you is this – if these Leeds prove to be well defined Ledges and Rich enough to warrant the working of them with machinary I shall want help from some one to get it. are you willing to invest providing you can be satisfied that the Quartz is good? please write and let me know soon. what will a mill of 10 stamps all complete with Engine with suficient power to drive it cost in Portland or at the Umatilla? I will send you some of our Quartz as soon as we Get the Leed Cut.

One of the Leeds is Silver. the others have not shown any silver as yet but the General opinion is that they will all prove to be Silver Ledges. I have had offers from different persons to put on machinery but I believe I can do better.

We will get the tunel completed I think by the 1st of April and we will get it far enough to test the Alison Leed by the 1st of January and then I am very (Langwind?) that I shall be able to (Lathsing?) you that we have as Rich a Leed as there is on the Western Coast.

Give my respects to R. E. Stratton. write soon direct to Pioneer City Boise County ID

Yours

A. G. Langdon

 

1871

26 August 1871 in the Owyhee Avalanche Newspaper. Abram G. Langdon still mining. LINK

Google Map of mine location

Click the map to go to a Google map of the area he was mining.