Jacob G. Long

page 125

Jacob Grimes Long is numbered among the native sons of Iowa, his birth having occurred November 5, 1860, in Albia, whence the family soon moved to the old family homestead near his present farm in Mantua township. Throughout his entire life he has resided in this locality, interested in the work of progress and doing all he could for the promotion of the best interests of his county. >His father, William Long, now deceased, came to the territory of Iowa in the year 1844. He was born in county Antrim, Ireland, in 1808, of Scotch-Irish parentage. The family was of Protestant faith and noted for industry and honesty.

In his youth William Long was trained to farm work, and he obtained his education in his native country, but when a young man left the Emerald Isle and crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He first wedded Mary Hebrew, who died leaving one child, Alexander Long, who is engaged in the bus and transfer business in Albia, Iowa. >For his second wife the father chose Mary J. Elder, who was born in Ireland, and she, too, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and of the Protestant religion. During her girlhood she came to the United States with her father, Thomas Elder, who died in this country. Mrs. Long was a devoted wife and mother, a kind neighbor and a faithful fried and was beloved by all who knew her. She was a Presbyterian in religious belief and died in February, 1897, at the age of sixty-five years. William Long was also a member of the Presbyterian church, and his life was in harmony with its teachings and principles. His political support was given to the republican party and in matters of business he was know to be reliable and trustworthy, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in the slightest degree. To this worthy couple were born seven children: John W., who resides on the old home farm in Mantua township; Jacob G., of this review; Mrs. Jennie Warner, of Monroe county; Thomas, who is in the far west; Mrs. Mary Turner, who is deceased; Mrs. Belle Hawthorn, of Monroe county; and Charles, who is living in Albia.

Jacob G. Long was early trained to the work of the farm and became a hand in the fields, where he was employed from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the autumn. A few months each year he pursued his education in a little schoolhouse built of oak boards. During a portion of his youth he worked out by the month as a farmhand, and thus gained a start in the business world. When twenty-eight years of age he was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Sinclair, with whom he has since traveled life’s journey. She is a daughter of John Sinclair, who was a leading farmer and prominent early settler of this portion of the state, and upon his farm in Mantua township she was born and spent her girlhood days.

Mr. and Mrs. Long have two children: John, who is now twelve years of age, and Rettie Pearl, nine years of age. They also lost a little daughter in infancy. The home farm of Mr. Long comprises a quarter section of Iowa’s rich and productive land. It is equipped with all the improvements usually found upon a good farm, and annually the fields return to him rich harvests. He also has good returns from his orchard, and in his pastures and feed lots are seen high grades of cattle, horses and hogs. To the Republican party he gives his earnest support, and he has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and his life exemplifies the spirit of religion which causes one to look upon the bright side, to make the most of opportunities and to advance steadily in those walks of life leading to the development of an upright character.