His mother, Caroline Gadd, was from Morrill County, Ohio, and of English descent.
John Langfitt attended schools in Scott County, as well as Wilton Academy and Davenport Business College.
The couple moved to Snohomish County, Washington, and returned to Iowa in 1898, after Langfitt acquired his father's farm.
Upon returning to Adair County, Langfitt became active as a board member and chairman of the local Presbyterian church.
He won reelection as state senator in 1928, but did not finish his second term, as he died in office on 5 August 1932.