Elias Langham
The early life of Col. Elias Langham seems to be involved in complete obscurity, and we first hear of him coming to Chillicothe, Ohio, in the spring of 1798. We know, however, that he was a native of Virginia, a Major in the Revolutionary war, and a man of education and ability, whose later years were clouded by the demon of intemperance. He located first in Ross County, and was extensively engaged in land speculation. In 1799-1801, and 1801-03, he was a member of the Territorial Assembly; and in 1803, at the first election held in Ohio, was one of the four Congressional candidates, one of whom was to be chosen to represent the new State at Washington. In 1803-04, 1805-06 and 1807-08, he was a member of the Ohio General Assembly, and was Speaker of the House in 1803-04. During his residence in Ross County, he was one of the surveyors appointed to survey the residue lands which subsequently composed the Chillicothe Land District, which included Madison County. Thus he became familar with this region of country and acquired a large amount of land which he disposed of to the early settlers. It is said that considerable trouble was experienced by many of these purchasers in obtaining good titles, some of whom had to pay for their land a second time or lose it; but injustice to Col. Langham, we must say that it was not dishonesty on his part that caused this, he really believing the lands to be his, but it is laid at the door of his love for strong drink, which made him neglectful and unfitted him for attending to his business. The exact date of Col. Langham's settlement in Madison County is a mere matter of conjecture, but according to the reminiscences of David Watson, he was living in a cabin about one mile south of London, in July, 1807. He was then a widower and father of three sons, viz., John, Angus and Elias, none of whom resided in this county any length of time. Col. Langham spent the balance of his days here; was active in building up London; died at the residence of Judge Baskerville, about 1830, and was buried on the Baskerville farm.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]