BIOGRAPHY LAST UPDATED on 15 Jan 2024

Joseph Edwin D. Long was born on 15 Mar 1875 in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. His parents were Joseph Curtis Long and Martha Isabelle Clark. He had 11 full siblings; Sisillia, Franklin, Amanda Frances, Olive, Cora Isabelle, Lenora J, John Wesley, Henry Harrison, Lena Evaline (m. Wheeler/Hoerr/McCoy), Dollie D (m. Volk), and Charles. In addition, he had 4 half-siblings from her/his father's first marriage; William Curtis, Edith, Absalom, and Sarah Jane. Research still continues on the number of siblings

With regards to his middle name, throughout the years, several sources identify "Edwin" and "Edward" although all are consistent with middle initial "E". Military draft registration records and some Social Security records identify "Edward", however, early census records and the family bible list "Edwin D". Because of these numerous conflicts, I cannot state with 100% certainty his exact middle name. However, based on the preponderance of evidence and the importance of family bible records, I am assessing Edwin D is the correct information until other evidence is obtained to prove otherwise.

According to WWI Draft Registration records dated 12 Sep 1918, he was tall and stout. He had grey eyes and light brown hair. Records indicate he was partially blind in his right eye. He may have suffered the injury during his time at the United Iron Works, since he switched to Carpentry shortly after. As far as occupations go, In his early years, he was a farmer on his family farm. It appears he farmed until around 1906. By 1906, he was listed as working for the United Iron Works Co in Iola, Kansas. In 1910, he was listed as a laborer at a Nut and Bolt Plant. By 1918, he was listed as a carpenter for City Works at least until 1934. He was also listed as a laborer of Odd Jobs in the latter years. His death certificate listed him as a Laborer for the Government Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA employed millions of jobseekers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads.

Early in life, he lived with his parents and siblings in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. According to his siblings birth locations, sometime between 1877-1879, his family moved about 430 miles southwest to Rich Township in Anderson County, Kansas. According to the 1880 United States Federal Census taken on 2 Jun 1880, the family lived in Rich Township in Anderson County, Kansas. At the time, Edwin D Long was 6 years old and lived with his parents, Joseph C Long (49) and Martha I (34) and his 3 siblings; Franklin (14), Amanda F (12), and John (5 Mos).

It appears he lived in Kansas until sometime after his marriage to Lydia in 1890. At the age 15, Joseph and 17-year-old Lydia Viola Oshel, daughter of Jesse Oshel and Sarah Elizabeth Smith, applied for a marriage license on Wednesday, 17 Dec 1890 in Woodson County, Kansas. They were married the same day by Benjamin F Smith, Justice of the Peace, at his residence in Everett Township in Woodson County, Kansas. Records indicate Joseph and Lydia had 8 children; Maggie Lodessa (m. McHatton), Alva E, Dennis Dee, Carl Oren, Thomas, Jessie, Silvia Pearl (m. Jacobs), and Lillian Georgia (m. Griswold). According to the 1900 and 1910 census records, he may have had two additional children, although they passed away prior to 1900. According to family records only, their names were Thomas and Jessie. They are as follows:

Maggie Lodessa Long was born on 14 Dec 1888 in Iola, Allen County, Kansas. At the age of 17, Maggie and 22-year-old James Arvel McHatton, son of John Hugh McHatton and Matilda Ann Wilson, were married by Rev M. McPhee at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, 12 Aug 1906 at her parent's house at 419 West Chestnut Street in Iola, Allen County, Kansas. There are indications that they may have separated/divorced sometime around 1930, but cannot be confirmed at this time. Records indicate Maggie and James had 4 daughters; Frances Marie (m. Cole), Thelma Louise (m. Yale), Viola Anna (m. Martin/Starr) and Irene L (m. McNeely/Guthrie). Maggie passed away at the age of 84 on Tuesday, 21 Nov 1972 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas as a result of burns suffered from a kitchen fire at her home. She was laid to rest on Friday, 24 Nov 1972 in South Block 1 West, Lot 388 of Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.

Alva E. Long was born on 14 Oct 1891 in Garnett, Anderson County, Kansas. At age 17, Alva and 36-year-old recently widowed, Calista (Thompson) Newland, were married on 17 Oct 1908 by Minister H.S. Church in Jackson County, Missouri. It doesn't appear Alva and Callie had any children. Alva passed away from lobar pneumonia at the early age of 26 at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, 15 Mar 1918 at his home in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. He was laid to rest on 17 Mar 1918 in South Block 4, Lot 77 of Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.

Dee Dennis Long was born on 20 Aug 1893 in Walker, Vernon County, Missouri. It appears Dee may have married four times in his life. At the age of 17, Dee and 20 year old Eva Mae Newland were married on 22 May 1911, presumably in Missouri. Reportedly, they divorced sometime before 1913. At the age of around 19, he and 18-year-old, Ruby Christina Mallett, were married on 6 Jan 1913 in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. It appears they divorced before 1919. At the age of 27, he and 17-year-old Pauline Moore, were married on 18 Oct 1920, potentially in Leavenworth, Kansas. She passed away in 1960. Finally, at the age of 69, he and 62-year-old Fern Avo Dooley were married on 8 Oct 1962 in Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri. Dee and Eva had one child, Victor Cornelius Long. No other children were born from his other marriages. Dee passed away at the age of 86 on Thursday, 13 Mar 1980 in Park Lane Hospital in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. He was laid to rest on 17 Mar 1980 in Blue Springs Cemetery in Blue Springs, Jackson County, Missouri.

Oren Carl Long was born on 14 Jun 1895 in Garnett, Anderson County, Kansas. It appears Oren married three times during his life. At the age of 16, he and 18 year old Ida E Brown were married on 18 Feb 1912 in Independence, Jackson, Missouri. However, by 1914 they were either divorced or Ida had passed away. At the age of 18, he and 17-year-old Ressie D. Ray were married on 3 Mar 1914 by Justice of the Peace Charles H Clark in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri. They were married until Ressie passed away in 1938. Finally, at the age of 47, he and 42-year-old Fern A Dooley were married on 18 Sep 1942 in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. Oren and Ressie had two children; Madeline Vinia and Thaddeus Alva. It doesn't appear he had any children with this other two wives. Oren passed away from pneumonia at the age of 63 at 5:20 p.m. on Monday, 5 Jan 1959 at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri after being a patient for 2 months. He was laid to rest on 8 Jan 1959 in South Block 1B, Lot 8 of Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.

Pearl Sylvia Long was born on 14 Jul 1900 in Amos, Bates County, Missouri. At the age of 16, Pearl and 20-year-old Vernie Clarence Jacobs, son of John Franklin Jacobs and Martha "Bettie" Elizabeth Davis, applied for a marriage license on 30 Jun 1917 in Jackson County, Missouri. They were married the same day by Minister J E Fowlks in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri. Vernie and Pearl had 4 children; Robert Ulmonte, Vernie Edward, Donald Leroy and Donna Ruth (m. Brown). Pearl passed away at the age of 87 on Tuesday, 15 Sep 1987 in the Independence Manor Care Center in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri where she had been living. She was laid to rest in South Block 1 West, Lot 388 in Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.

Lillian Georgia Long was born on 27 Jul 1902 in Hume, Bates County, Missouri. At the supposed age of 13, Lillian married 18-year-old Emery Augusta Griswold on 30 Jun 1916 presumably in Missouri. According to local newspaper articles, Lillian filed for divorce in Independence, Missouri around Jun 1930 and according to the 1930 US census, were not living together. However, by 1934, it appears they may have reconciled. No indications the divorced was ever finalized. Lillian and Emery had two daughters, Lillian Annette and Loverna Pearl. Lillian passed away at the age of 94 on 1 Nov 1996 in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. She was laid to rest around 4 Nov 1996 in North Block 6, Lot 89 of Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.

According to their children's birth locations, sometime between 1891-1893 the family moved to Missouri, then to Kansas between 1893-1895, then back to Missouri between 1895-1900. According to the 1900 United States Federal Census taken on 19 Jun 1900, the family lived on a farm in Henry Township in Vernon County, Missouri. At the time, Joseph E Long was 29 years old and lived with his spouse Viola *Lydia (26) and their 4 children; Maggie (10), Alva (8), Dennis (6), and Carl Owen (4). However, by 1905 they were once again back in Kansas. According to the 1905 Kansas State Census taken on 1 Mar 1905, they lived in La Harpe, Allen County, Kansas. At the time, J.E. Long was 33 years old and lived with his spouse Viola (32) and their 5 children; Alva (13), Dee (11), Carl (9), Pearl (5), and Lillie (3). According to the Iola, Kansas City Directory and his daughter Maggie's wedding article, in 1906 they were living at 419 West Chestnut Street in Iola, Allen County, Kansas. Iola is only 9 miles from La Harpe, Kansas. Based on his son Alva's marriage in 1908, the family had moved about 100 miles north to Independence, Jackson County, Missouri sometime between 1906-1908. According to the 1910 United States Federal Census taken on 21 Apr 1910, they rented a home at 808 South Grand Avenue in Independence, Blue Township, Jackson County, Missouri. At the time, Joseph E Long was 38 years old and living with his spouse Lidia V (37) and their 4 children; Dennis D (17), Carl O (15), Sylvia P (9) and Georgia L (8). According to the 1920 United States Federal Census taken on 3 Jan 1920, they still owned their house at 808 South Grand Avenue in Independence, Blue Township, Jackson County, Missouri. At the time, Joseph E Long was 46 years old and living with his spouse L V *Lydia Viola (46) and their daughter Lillian (18) and her husband E.A. Griswold (22). It appears they lived at this address at least until around 1928 when they moved down the street to 1119 North McCoy Street. According to the 1930 United States Federal Census taken on 8 Apr 1920, they still owned a house at 1119 North McCoy Street in Independence, Blue Township, Jackson County, Missouri. At the time, Joseph E Long was 56 years old and living with his spouse Lydia V (57) and their daughter Lillian (27) and her two children; Lillian R (12) and Loverna (10). Over the next few years, they moved numerous more times all within Independence. In 1932, they were living at 711 West Jones Street, in 1934 at 314 West Kansas Avenue and finally by 1935 they were at 1603 South Crane Street. It appears he lived at this residence until his death in 1939.

Joseph passed away from pneumonia at the age of 64 on Saturday, 19 Aug 1939 at Jackson County Emergency Hospital in Prairie Township, Jackson County, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, 21 Aug 1939 at the Stone Church in Independence, Missouri. He was laid to rest on Monday, 21 Aug 1939 in Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.

Biography information provided by Tom Richardson (#47507774) - 2x Great Grandson

Headstone has 1875 as birth year, but most records I've come across state his birth yr as 1872/4.

The only Census Record I can find with Joseph & Martha, "Joseph" is not listed. He is listed as 'EDWIN D.' the same age... my question is... why was his name later changed?

1880 Census, Rich, Anderson, Kansas
Joseph C. Long 49, wife Martha I. Long 34, & children;
Franklin O. Long 14
Amanda F. Long 12
*Edwin D. Long 6 (? Joseph Edward ?)
John Long 5/12

Joseph & Lydia Viola Oshel married 17 Dec 1890 in Woodson County, Kansas - they had eight children: Maggie, Alva, Dennis Dee, Oren Carl, Thomas, Jessie, Sylvia Pearl, and Lillian Georgia

1900 Census Henry, Vernon, MO
Long, Joseph E, 29 IL, wife Viola, 27 IN (mother of 6/4 living), & children;
Maggie (b.12/1889), Alva(b.9/1891), Dennis Dee(b.8/1893), Carl Owen(b. 6/1895)..

1910 Census Independence, Jackson, MO
Long, Joseph E, 38 IL, Lidia V, 37 IN, & children;
Sylvia Pearl, 9, & Georgia L, 8 MO ...

1920 Census, Independence, Jackson, MO
Long, "John" E, 46 IL, L V, 46 IN, dau. Lillian Griswald, 18 MO, & Lillian's husband 'L A' 22 MO

1930 Census Blue, Jackson, MO
Long, Joseph E, 56 IL, Lydia V, 57 IN,
married dau., 'Lillian Griswold' & granddaughter's Lillian R-12y, & Loverna-10yrs.

(I assume Thomas, & Jessie were the two children born & died before 1900.)

(my Gr-gr-grandfather thru Gr-grandfather Dennis "Dee")
Bobbie Long Lamberson