Longman, George

LONGMAN, MURPHY, FINNEGAN, KEGAN, BRADY, OBRIEN, BARRY, HENNESY, HENNEBERRY, DONOVAN, DURNIN, MALONE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/15/2003 at 08:46:39

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

GEORGE LONGMAN.

George Longman, the well-known and efficient steward of the county poor farm on section 35, Waterford township, was born in Canada on the 21st of February, 1854, and is a son of George and Julia (Murphy) Longman, natives of England and Canada, respectively. They were married in the latter country, and continued to make their home there until 1869, when they came to the United States and settled in Marshall county, Illinois, residing there until 1890. During that year they removed to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and the father purchased land near Grafton, where he made his home until his death, which occurred March 6, 1896. His wife is still living at that place.

Our subject is the oldest in a family of fourteen children, the others being as follows: Thomas married Bridget Finnegan, and resides in Sac county, Iowa; James first married Anna Kegan, and second Margaret Brady, and lives near Grafton, Nebraska; Samuel married Catherine Finnegan, and makes his home in Putnam, Putnam county, Illinois; John married Lizzie O’Brien, and lives in Tiskilwa, Bureau county, Illinois; Elizabeth is the wife of John E. Barry, of Henry, Marshall county, Illinois; Mary Ann resides in Grafton, Nebraska; Agnes married Joseph Hennesy, and died in Grafton in November, 1889; Catherine died in infancy; Catherine (second) is the wife of William Henneberry, of Grafton, Nebraska; Peter died at the age of ten years; Miles is also a resident of that place; Charles W. married Minnie Donovan, and lives in Grafton; and Nellie also makes her home there.

George Longman acquired his education in the district schools of Canada and Illinois, being a lad of fifteen years when the family removed to the Prairie state. He attended school only during the winter months until eighteen years of age, and worked on the farm during the summer season. Later he was employed as a farm hand by the month for seven years.

On the 29th of February, 1876, in Henry, Illinois, he married Miss Julia E. Finnegan, who was born near Putnam, Putnam county, that state, June 16, 1853. Her parents, Thomas and Julia (Durnin) Finnegan, were both natives of County Louth, Ireland, where they were married, and about 1852 emigrated to America. The father entered a claim in Putnam county, Illinois, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, as he died in 1852. His wife continued on the farm until her death, which occurred in September, 1882. They were the parents of four children: Thomas, who was accidentally killed by a horse at the age of twenty-one years; Bridget, wife of James Malone, of Davenport, Iowa; Ann, who resides with our subject; and Julia, wife of our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Longman were born five children, as follows: Lizzie A., who was born March 30, 1878, and died in DeWitt, Iowa, November 28, 1890; Thomas J., who was born February 9, 1879, and died December 26, 1880; George F., who was born November 20, 1880, and now assists his father in his work; Catherine E., who was born October 30, 1883, and is now attending school in Clinton; and Julia A., who was born December 30, 1886, and resides with her parents.

After his marriage Mr. Longman engaged in farming on rented land in Illinois until 1885, when he came to Clinton county, Iowa, and operated a rented farm in De Witt township for seven years. On the 1st of March, 1892, he was appointed by the board of supervisors as steward of the county poor farm and insane asylum, while his wife was made matron. He succeeded John Blessington, who had held the position for sixteen years. The first steward was John McEllhatton. Under the supervision of our subject many improvements have been made in the property, including the erection of a large L to the main building, while a smoking room and reading room apart from the building have also been built. The interior of the asylum has been completely remodeled, and in fact the entire place has been filled up with modern improvements and has the best possible facilities for ventilating, heating and lighting the place. Hot and cold water baths are also furnished and everything is done for the comfort of the inmates. In this respect the Clinton county poor farm is not excelled by any institution of the kind in the state. Everything is neat and orderly, and the inmates enjoy remarkably good health. There are now twenty-four patients in the insane department and forty-two in the poor house. Much of the success of this institution is due to the able management of Mr. Longman, whose course here is beyond criticism. He is a liberal, public-spirited man, kind-hearted and agreeable, and takes an active interest in all that pertains to the advancement of the community in which he lives. He owns a quarter section of land in Sac county. Religiously he is a member of the Catholic church and socially is a member of Camp No. 2486, M. W. A., and the Court of Honor, both at Charlotte. In politics he is a gold Democrat.