"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



David P. Langley was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1840, a son of James and Jane (Weston) Langley, who were both born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. James Langley spent the early part of his life as a farmer in Erie county. Pennsylvania. In 1854 he moved to Macoupin county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming until 1867, when he retired from active work and removed to Carlinville, where he spent the rest of his days. There were nine children in this family: Wilson S. died at the age of sixteen; John W., James W., Andrew J., Eunice Mary, David F., Russell L., Franceina L. and Cynthia A.

David P. Langley was educated in the public schools of Erie county, Pennsylvania, and also attended school after the removal of his father to Illinois. During his younger years he worked with his father on the farm and started farming for himself while a young man. In 1880 he left his Illinois home and came to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, and located on a farm one mile south of Bingham lake. He began farming this land and continued until 1900, when he bought a small tract of land within the corporate limits of Bingham Lake, which he cultivated until 1912. At that time he sold this land and removed to the village, where he has since continued to live. In April, 1870. David P. Langley and Nancy J. Jackson were united in marriage. Mrs. Langley is the daughter of Hiram and Ruth (Blasdel) Jackson, of Dearborn county, Indiana, who later settled in central Illinois in 1855. where they remained all their lives. To this union nine children have been born: Minnie E., James W. died at the age of five years; Jessie E., Charles H., William P., Ernest J., Harry L., Erma L. and Florence. Mrs. Langley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

On August 21, 1861, at the call of President Lincoln for volunteers for the suppression of the rebellion, Mr. Langley enlisted in Company A, Thirty-third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until December 6, 1865. This regiment was a part of the army under General Grant operating in western Tennessee and in Mississippi, in 1862 and 1863, the most noted victories in the history of the Civil War. Mr. Langley followed the fortunes of his regiment in all these campaigns and contributed a soldier's part in the battles and victories in which the regiment participated. Altogether he participated in sixteen battles, and numerous minor engagements that were often sharp and exciting, hut are not recorded among the great battles of the Civil War. Among the great battles in which Mr. Langley was engaged were the battles around Vicksburg, during the siege resulting in the capture of that stronghold; the battles of Jackson and Champion's Hill, the battle of Mobile, and the many others in which that part of the army was engaged. Mr. Langley's record as a soldier is one of which he has every reason to be proud, a heritage of honor conferred upon his children which cannot be compensated by any pension allowance.

In view of this supreme manifestation of loyalty and patriotism in the hour of his country's need, it would seem superfluous to add that Mr. Langley is a Republican and an ardent advocate of the party principles to which Lincoln devoted his life service. As a citizen, Mr. Langley is held in the highest esteem by the people of the community in which he lives. He served as county commissioner from 1894 to 1902, eight years. In this official capacity, as in all other duties to which he has been called, he was faithful and efficient. His fraternal associations and with, the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is an active and influential member. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.