Long, William

LONG

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/23/2021 at 11:46:11

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.320

WILLIAM LONG
William Long was born in Green County, Pennsylvania., in 1826, one of 13 children of John and Susan (Gwynn) Long. His mother was a direct descendant of Sir William Gwynn of Dorchester, England. His grandfather, Jeremiah Long, was a pioneer and came from a Shenandoah valley family of soldiers and Indian fighters. John Long, the father, redhaired and quick tempered, was a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, interested in good horses. Each member of the family had his own mount and they often rode to hounds, chasing the fox over the hills. William inherited his father's commanding ability together with his mother's firm kind influence, and was well-known for his generosity and warm heart. As a young man he left the large Pennsylvania farm home of his parents and set out for the west, stopping first near Monmouth, Illinois., where he fed cattle for a time, then on to Indianola, Iowa. Two brothers, Jesse and Joe Long, owned large holdings and resided near Monroe. The three brothers kept in touch and exchanged visits, riding horseback across country.
William Long purchased what was known as Lone Tree farm northeast of Indianola (now owned by Burl Long). He erected a large farmhouse and brought his bride, Frances Brown Long, to this home in 1863. Two daughters were born, Ella and Bushie, and two infants deceased. The mother died in 1871. A few years later he married Mary Ashby.
To this union were born two sons and a daughter: George, Jesse and Regina. While a child he had met with an accident that caused some lameness, which progressed gradually, making it necessary for him to get about with increasing difficulty. He ably directed farming and feeding operations and was one of the leading cattle buyers in Warren County during the last half of the nineteenth century. His spacious country home was noted for hospitality and good living which was shared with many friends and relatives.
Mr. Long was a charter member of the Indianola Baptist Church and for many years was a mainstay of this church. The Rev. Mr. Nash of Des Moines, founder of Des Moines college, was a friend and frequent visitor in his home. In 1869 Mr. Long, J. B McMurray and Charles McKay opened a bank at Indianola at which time Mr. Long was also active in the affairs of the Warren County Agricultural society. He was a close friend of Henry Wallace, founder of Wallace's Farmer. "He was a constructive force in the county and led his associates and many others to higher standards of life, leaving a record of which his descendants may well be proud." At the time of his death in June, 1902, the family was residing in Indianola. Services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Simons of Baptist church, assisted by S. W. (Sam) Lee of Wick.
The eldest daughter Ella (deceased) married Al Walters of Los Angeles; the late Bushie Long Owens married Arthur Owens, Carlisle; the late George L. married Mabee Oakes (deceased); the late Jesse L. married Margaret (Dollie Smith) Long who resides in Indianola; and the youngest, Regina, married Capt. Cloyd Dixon Rauch Sr. and resides in Portland, Oregon.
The grandchildren include: Mamie Walters Ferry (deceased) and Nellie Walters Danield of Los Angeles; Mabel Owens Shaffer, Guy and Frederic Owens all of Carlisle; George Owens, Westfield, New Jersey.; Geraldine Long Maag and Mary Long, both of Cedar Rapids; Mary Ashby Rauch Davis, Oswego, Oregon; Cloyd Dixon Rauch Jr., Marjorie Rauch Lythgoe and Ann K. Rauch, all of Portland.
Great - grandchildren include: Shirley Shaffer Lettington of Santa Barbara, Calif.; Lillian and Patricia Owens, both of New York, N. Y.; Phyllis Owens, Westfield, New Jersey.; Arthur Jr. and George William Owens of Carlisle; Peter, Stephen and Marjorie Davis, Oswego, Oregon; Betty Rauch, David, Joann and Thomas Lyth- goe of Portland; and one great-greatgrandchild, Michelle Lettington, Santa Barbara, California.