Charles Langston

1817-1892

Name: Charles Langston

Birthplace: Louisa Co. VA

Status: Born a Slave. Freed in 1834

Occupation/Training: Educator Reformer

Residence: Louisa Co. VA, Oberlin Ohio, Chillicothe Ohio, Columbus Ohio, Lawrence Kansas

Abolitionist Involvement: Given his freedom papers in 1834, Charles Langston had already received some basic education from his father, plantation owner Quarles. He enrolled with his brother Gideon at Oberlin College. He became a teacher and then attended Oberlin again from 1841-1844. He established a school for Negro children in Ohio, and worked for the repeal of the Ohio Black Laws. He narrowly escaped death when he and Martin Delaney were attacked by a white mob who had threatened to kill them both. As an educator he later became principal of the Columbus Colored Schools in 1856. Like his close friend David Jenkins, he came a leader in the Masonic organizations in Ohio, also. Around that time, he became involved in the abolitionist movement in Ohio. He was involved in both the anti-slavery society, and the Underground Railroad. He along with George B. Vashon, and Charles L Reason suggested the establishment of an institution for Negroes. Although the response was as first sparse at best, Wilberforce Ohio came to be established in 1856. He became well known after he was involved in the rescue of a fugitive slave in 1858. During the Civil War, he helped to recruit soldiers for the Union army. He married Mary Sampson Leary, a widow of one of the men killed at Harper's Ferry with John Brown. Their daughter became the mother of literary great Langston Hughes. He moved to Kansas after the war, and continued his involvement for the rights of Negroes in education, the legal system, and politically. He died in 1892 at the age of 73.

Family: Son of Capt. Ralph Quarles, Plantation Owner. Lucy Langston--mother.
Brothers---Gideon Quarles Langston John Mercer Langston. Sister--Maria Langston. Grandson--Langston Hughes. Half siblings--William, Harriet and Mary Langston.

Place of Death: Lawrence Kansas

Publications: From Virginia Plantation to the National Capitol; Minutes of the State
Conventions of Colored Citizens of Ohio; Minutes of the Proceedings of the National
Negro Convention: 1830-1864 ed. by Howard H. Bell

BACK to African American Genealogical Resources

The Genealogy Forum - Main Page
Beginners' Center | Internet Center | Message Boards
Surname Center | Reunion Center | File Library
Genealogy Forum News
Shop With Us

Genealogy Forum.com is a production of
Golden Gate Services, Inc. of Armada, Michigan.
© 1998 - 2007 All Rights Reserved. Brenda Jean Bova, President.
The Genealogy Forum is a member of the National Genealogical Society.
Tree logo provided by MeadPond Designs and is the trademark of GenealogyForum.com.

© 2007 Some graphics By Carol, All Rights Reserved  

 If you have any questions or comments,
please contact GenealogyForum@aol.com