David Long

LONG, LEATHERMAN, VALENTINE, FRAZER, CLARK

Posted By: Gail Meyer Kilgore (email)
Date: 2/19/2004 at 15:19:00

DAVID LONG has met with more than ordinary success as one of the most skillful and wide-awake farmers and stock-raisers of Grundy County, and while far from being an old man, has been enabled to retire practically from business. He has a fine estate, consisting of two hundred and eighty acres in Felix Township, upon which he has erected a comfortable residence, and has also fitted out his farm with all the improved machinery.

Cornelius Long, the grandfather of the subject, was a native of the Green Mountain State, where he followed the occupation of farmer. He reared a family of seven children, and departed this life while residing in Virginia. The father of our subject was born in the latter state in 1803, and there he learned the trade of blacksmith, which occupation he prosecuted in connection with farming. In the spring of 1855, thinking to better his condition financially, he came to this then western country by the overland route, and making his home in Hardin County, here purchased property consisting of two hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid $5.25 an acre. Only twelve acres of this tract were broken and here he erected a tent, and during the summer of that year built a log cabin, in which he resided until his circumstances permitted him to erect a more comfortable abode. The Pottawattomie and Sioux Indians were often seen in that locality and indeed everything was in a wild state. He was very industrious and was thus soon enabled to place his land under cultivation, where he resided until his death. In politics he was in early life a Whig, and was a member of the German Baptist Church, in which denomination he held the office of Bishop. He contributed his aid in the management of civic affairs, and died in 1863, greatly mourned by all who knew him.

The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Susan, a daughter of Daniel Leatherman. David Long, of this sketch, who is one in the parental family of seven children, was born October 15, 1838, in Virginia, where during his earlier years he was permitted to attend the district school. He assisted his father in carrying on the farm, and in so doing was enabled when starting out in life for himself to cultivate the soil in the best possible manner.

The lady to whom our subject was married March 5, 1863, was Miss Martha J., a daughter of James and Sarah (Frazer) Valentine. She was one in a family of the following children: John, James, David, Andy, Lee, Sarah A., Minerva J., Martha, Mary C., Margaret and Amanda. The mother of Mrs. Long was a native of Ohio, whence she removed to Indiana and later to Hardin County, this state. She, however, is at present residing in Monroe County. The father, who always voted with the Republican party, died in 1865.

Our subject purchased land in the year of his marriage to which he added from time to time, until, as before stated, he now owns a valuable estate of two hundred and eight acres. His agricultural adventures have brought him money, and although he now personally superintends the operation of his estate, he is practically living retired. The four children born to himself and wife bear the respective names of Edward, Alice Mary, Gertrude May, and Frank. Edward and Gertrude are deceased, while Frank is attending school in Toledo. Alice Mary is the wife of Elmer Clark and makes her home in Sioux Rapids. In his political relations our subject is a sturdy Republican and has held many offices of public trust, having served as Trustee, Supervisor and School Director. He and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Church at Felix and he is very popular with all who know him.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894