Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 157-158

WILLIAM H. LONG, a successful dairyman and farmer, of the town of Platteville, Grant county, Wis., has richly earned the right to be written up among the successful men of his calling in that section. He has gained a good share of this world's goods by industry and economy, and is counted a faithful citizen and a good neighbor.

Mr. LONG was born in the town of Platteville, Dec. 7, 1840, and is a son of Louis and Mary (GREGORY) LONG, the father born in Tennessee, the mother in Missouri. They were among the first settlers of Platteville. Mrs. GREGORY, the grandmother of our subject, was one of the first white women in the town. Louis LONG settled here and engaged in mining, and carried on a teaming business from Galena, Ill. Here he reared his family, and here his wife died, in November, 1887. After her death he moved to Nebraska, where he passed away in 1893, in the home of one of his daughters, full of years and honor. He was noted far and near for his great strength when he was in his prime. He was deeply religious, and helped to establish the Methodist Church in Platteville. Politically, he was a Republican, and a strong defender of the Union during the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. LONG had three children of their own, and one adopted daughter. Andrew, their oldest son, was born in Platteville in 1838, and married Catherine WOMACK; they lived in Platteville until a few years ago, when he moved to Lancaster. William H. is the gentleman whose name appears at the beginning of this article. U. I., born in 1842, was a soldier in the 25th Wis. V.I., serving with his brother William H., and followed Sherman to the sea; he was seriously wounded at Atlanta, but survived the war, married Margaret CUMMINGS, and is a farmer in Nebraska; they have a family of six children, Jesse, Charles, Lucy, Fred, Pearl, and Annie.

William H. LONG grew to manhood in Platteville, where he attended the public school. In 1863 he enlisted in the 25th Wis. V.I., and followed the fortunes of that historic regiment through the remaining years of the war. He was a good soldier, and was in many hard-fought battles, was at Vicksburg and at Atlanta, and in numerous conflicts, and though many of his regiment were killed or wounded he was unhurt. Mr. LONG belonged to the pioneer corps, and was often detailed as forager. After the war closed he returned to wife and family, having married, in 1861, Mrs. Minerva DOWDY, the widow of Adolphus DOWDY. Mrs. LONG is the daughter of John and Martha DAY, a prominent family in old Kentucky, and was born in Lexington, that State, in April, 1839, coming into Wisconsin with her parents when very young. Her father settled at Lancaster, remaining there some years, lived for a time in Iowa county, and then moved to Richland Center, where he died in 1855. His widow, survived thirty years, and passed her last days in Minnesota, in the home of a daughter.

Mr. LONG bought his present farm in 1867, and took up his home there. He secured eighty acres northwest of Platteville, and has erected good buildings, and cleared up one of the fine farms of Grant county, his land being all under a good state of cultivation, and stocked with well-bred horses and cattle. Our subject and his wife have had five children: Rhoda, died in childhood. Frank, born in 1863, died in 1869. Nellie M., born in 1866, married William WALDRON, of Omaha, where they now reside with one son. Cora L., born in December, 1870, married David BURROWS, of Harrison township; they reside in Grant county, and have four children, Ella M., Willie, Albert E., and Katie W. William A., born Dec. 5, 1872, died when he was a lad of twelve years. Mrs. LONG had two children by her first husband: Mary E. is the wife of William R. CUMMINGS, and lives in Mr. LONG's house; they have fourteen children, Edith, Nettie, Abbie, Ida, Frank, Clarence, Annie, Myrtie, Mary, Ethel, Clyde, Jasper, George and Lester. Rosa C., born in Jackson county, Wis., in 1857, married Charles HOFFMAN, of Omaha, and is now deceased; they had two children, Myrtie and Hattie.

Mr. LONG has always been connected with the Republican party. His wife is a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, and while not a member, he is profoundly interested in the welfare of the same. He belongs to Sherman Post. G. A. R., at Platteville. While in the service, and when he was a young man, he was noted for his wonderful strength; he has been known to lift five or six hundred pounds as easily as most men lift a hundred.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck