Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 515

JACOB LONG, a prominent citizen of Goshen Township, residing on section 14, was born in Lehigh County, Pa., in 1837, and is a son of Daniel and Esther ( Lutz ) Long, also natives of Pennsylvania. They had a family of eleven children, of whom our subject was fifth in order of birth, and ten of that number are yet living: William, who is married and resides in Pennsylvania; Abraham, lives in Scott County, Iowa; Daniel was drowned in Pennsylvania, at tha age of twenty-eight years; Perry, is married and resides in the Keystone State; Jacob, of this sketch; Melinda, is now Mrs. Hamm, of Pennsylvania; Mary, is now Mrs. Ware, of Pennsylvania; Caroline, who resides in the same State, is the wife of a Mr. Stroup; Esther, who is single, resides at home; Amanda, now Mr. Slenker, is living in Pennsylvania; and Lavina, now Mrs. Henry, is also a resident of that State. The father of this family followed the trade of shoemaking in his younger days, but later engaged in farming, which he yet carries on in Pennsylvania. His wife departed this life in 1869, at the age of fifty-seven years.

Our subject grew to manhood upon his father's farm, and received his education in the district schools of his native State. He afterwards learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for some years, but when the late war broke out he abandoned business pursuits and enlisted at Seidersville, Pa., in August, 1862, in the service of his country, becoming a member of Company G, 128th Pennsylvania Infantry. Being ordered to the front he participated in the battle of Antietam, where he received a gunshot wound in the left hip, and was forced to remain in the hospital at Reading, Pa., for fourteen weeks. At the end of that time he rejoined the company, and participated in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 2, being there captured and confined in Libby Prison for two weeks, when he was exchanged and returned to Pennsylvania Infantry, for three years' service. He engaged in the battle of Hatchie's Run, Five Forks, the Virginia campaign, and was on duty at the capture of Gen. Lee. He participated in the grand review at Washington, where he was discharged May 29, 1865, and then returned to his home.

The same year Mr. Long was united in marriage in Ohio with Miranda S. Shively, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Sarah ( Eves ) Shively, who were also born in the same State. Her father was a tanner by trade, but also engaged in farming, and his death occurred in 1864. His wife died several years previously. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Long the following children have been born: Ulysses Preston, bow in Sioux City, Iowa; Henry S., who is living in Clinton Iowa; Minnie May died Dec. 6, 1888; and Sadie Myrtle is at home.

After his marriage Mr. Long engaged in farming in Pennsylvania for about five years, and in 1869 removed to Muscatine County, Iowa, where he rented land for about five years. In 1874 he purchased eighty-five acres of improved land, upon which he yet resides, but the farm has since then been increased to ninety-nine acres. He has remodeled the house and added to it, erected a barn, and made many other desirable improvements. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, and his home is conveniently situated near a market, being only about one and one fourth miles from Atalissa. Politically, Mr. Long is a Republican, and has held various offices of public trust, among which was that of Township Trustee. Socially, he is a member of the Charles Michener Post No. 362, G.A.R., of Atalissa, which organization he was instrumental in effecting, and his name leads the applications for a charter. He is now Quartermaster of the post, and takes great interest in the order. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Disciple's Church.


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