Son of William and Catharine Stever Long.
Married Anna M Cummings on or about November 30, 1899.
William is listed on the family data sheet at the Fairfield Public Library as having died at "Kansas City". Am assuming that this meant in Missouri, but the state could also be Kansas. Any clarification would be appreciated.
William (and wife Anna) is buried in the Long family plot with his parents and siblings.
-------
Fairfield Ledger
Wednesday Dec. 11, 1929
Page 1, Col. 1.
WILLIAM L. LONG DIES IN A HOSPITAL IN KANSAS CITY
End Came This Morning Following An Operation a Week Ago
William L. LONG, a lifelong resident of Jefferson county and all his life prominent in business and official life, died this morning in a hospital in Kansas City, following an operation a week ago.
F.S. CUMMINGS, a brother-in-law, left over the Rock Island at 10 oclock for Kansas City to make arrangements for bringing the body here for burial. Funeral services doubtless will be held at the First Presbyterian church, of which he was an official, and burial will be in Evergreen cemetery beside his wife who died more than a quarter of a century ago.
Mr. LONG had been in ill health for months and in September went to Excelsior Springs, Mo., to recouperate. He was told there that he had a cancer and was advised to go to Kansas City for treatment. He became a patient at the Thornton and Minor sanitarium where he staid (sic. stayed) for several weeks, making two or three trips there, going for the last time the night before Thanksgiving. He wrote friends here upon his arrival and again that he was to have an operation. Then letters ceased to come and it was not until Dr. R. S. SAYERS received a long distance telephone message from Ralph ELLIS, Mr. LONG's cousin living in Kansas City, that their worst fears were confirmed. A previous message, shortly before, had borne the news that death was imminent.
WAS 68 YEARS OLD
Mr. LONG was born here December 27, 1860, attended the public schools and worked on his father's farm about two miles northwest of the family there and after they moved to Fairfield. The father previous to moving to the farm had been in the mercantile business in Fairfield, city clerk for six terms, had held various other offices including that of mayor, and was the agent here for the King's Bridge company.
The son was elected city clerk shortly after moving to Fairfield from the farm and held that office for many years. It was while he was in that office that he established the mark on the south side of the square which is the city datum and from which all elevations are measured.
HELD MANY OFFICES
He was elected clerk of court and held that office for two terms. He was in the clothing business for some time, the firm being LONG and KEMP and the location one of the rooms now occupied by the Fair. He served two terms recently in the legislature. For years he has been in the real estate business and he was especially trusted in the handling of estates and the affairs of widows and orphans. In some cases it is known that in bad investments he took the loss himself rather than have a client suffer, and those who knew him well would put their business into his hands with the utmost confidence, in many cases never even checking the accounts he rendered.
He married Miss Ann M. CUMMINGS thirty years ago. She lived less than two years following the wedding, but he cherished her memory with a steady devotion. Her picture always was before him on his office desk, and while the styles in clothing changed so that the picture may have looked old-fashioned to others, it still was a fresh and vivid memory to him.
KNEW LOCAL HISTORY
For years Mr. LONG lived in an apartment with the late Henry WILLIS, but ten years ago he took an office and apartment over Gaines' restaurant. His apartment, which he cared for himself, was kept as neat and tidy as any woman could keep it.
He had a careful and accurate mind and a most retentive memory. For years he has been the source of many articles published in the Daily Ledger, and this office appealed to him for many facts of Fairfield history. He could walk about the city and point out dozen of houses that has been moved from downtown fifty years ago and tell where they had been located and who built and lived in them.
Mr. LONG is survived by two brothers, George S., two years older, of Trindad, Colo., and Dr. Clifton S. of Denver three years younger. The latter is very ill in a sanitarium in New Mexico.
------
"Fairfield Ledger", Dec. 16, 1929
Dr. Clifford S. LONG of Denver, Col., and George S. LONG of Trinidad, Col., brothers of the deceased, were here for the last rites.
------
Excerpted from the obituary of his brother, George:
The CHRONICLE NEWS, page 4, Trinidad, Colo., Sunday, October 25, 1931
"....William Long, pioneer business man and who became a running mate with Abraham Lincoln in 1860 on the local Republican ticket. In a small frame Engineer Long has preserved the original Fairfield, Iowa ballot which shows at the top the names of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, for president and vice president, and William Long, candidate for clerk of the district court....."
This item provided by Jon Long on Feb. 3, 2011.
-------
Fairfield Daily Ledger
Saturday, August 25, 1928
Pg. 4 Col.'s 5 & 6
Letters to the Editor
The Good Old Days
Editor Ledger: We often hear the remark, "There is more liquor sold in Fairfield and more drunkeness today than in the days of the open saloon." But some of our older citizens are inclined to doubt this statement.
The writer can well remember back in the early seventies (sic. 1870's, that is), when the population of Fairfield was about 1,800, there were fifteen licensed saloon in town, a brewery and an indefinite number of "bootleggers," who paid no license. Drunken brawls and fights were daily occurrences, and it was not uncommon thing to see drunken men lying under the trees in Central park their faces covered with flies and other insects. Circus crowds, Fourth of July celebrations and political rallies were often turned into drunken orgies and the city police force which consisted of Thomas HARRIS, D. W. MASON and Willis STRONG was kept busy quelling riots and carrying drunken men to jail as long as there was room in the building to pile them. As the population of the town increased the drunks increased in corresponding numbers, and the city authorities were compelled to build a calaboose to accommodate the overflow, and that is how the handsome city bastile on Second street came into existence. In addition to the fifteen saloons in Fairfield, there was a saloon in Lockridge, one in Germanville, one in Abingdon, one in Batavia, one in Libertyville, and seven in Perlee.
In the year 1876, the board of supervisors of Jefferson county had a pamphlet published for distribution at the Centennial exposition being held at Philadelphia for the purpose of advertising Jefferson county and Fairfield as a desireable place for homeseekers to locate and for capitalist to make investments. Among the various business enterprises, institutions, etc., enumerated in this pamphlet the following appear: thirteen groceries, two restaurants, two general stores, three boot and shoe stores, two hat and cap stores, three jewelry stores, three book stores, four meat markets, six millinery stores, three stove and tinware stores, two foundries, one woolen goods store, two flour mills, two butter and egg depots, two hardware stores, four grain elevators, two funiture stores, three harness shops, six tailors, five wagon shops, ten boot and shoemakers, seven blacksmith shops, one gunsmith shop, four barber shops, three lumber yards, one furniture factory, three livery stables, two bus lines, one broom factory, three banks, two railfoads, one patent medicine manufactory, four private schools, one union school, four hotels, one opera house, three public halls, two musical instrument dealers, three newspapers, three coal dealers, one public library, ten churches, Parsons college, four dentists, fourteen physicians, nineteen lawyers, five drug stores and ten saloons.
How many of our citizens would welcome the saloons back?
W. L. LONG
--------
This overall memorial updated on February 5, 2011 with more complete obituary information and additional bio text.
--------
The following obituary is added February 18, 2015 per edit request:
BURLINGTON HAWK-EYE
BURLINGTON, IOWA
THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 12, 1929-PG. 10
WILLIAM LONG DIES IN KANSAS
PROMINENT FAIRFIELD RESIDENT PASSES
AWAY IN KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL
Special To The Hawk-Eye
Fairfield, Ia., Dec. 11,--William L. Long died this morning in a Kansas City hospital following an operation a week ago, and Frank Cummings, a brother-in-law, went down there today to bring the body home. Funeral services will be arranged later, but will doubtless be held in the Presbyterian church of which he was a member and an official. Mr. Long was a lifelong resident of Jefferson county and one of the leading citizens. He was in the clothing business for several years and later handled real estate. He was county clerk for two terms and a member of the state assembly for two terms. Mr. Long had been in ill health for some time and had gone to Kansas City for treatment.
Mr. Long was born here December 17, 1860, and grew to manhood on the farm northwest of the city. He was married about thirty-five years ago to Miss Anna Cummings of this city, who lived only a short time. He is survived by two brothers, George S., of Trinidad, Colo., and Dr. Clifton S. (Cummings), of Denver.
Married Anna M Cummings on or about November 30, 1899.
William is listed on the family data sheet at the Fairfield Public Library as having died at "Kansas City". Am assuming that this meant in Missouri, but the state could also be Kansas. Any clarification would be appreciated.
William (and wife Anna) is buried in the Long family plot with his parents and siblings.
-------
Fairfield Ledger
Wednesday Dec. 11, 1929
Page 1, Col. 1.
WILLIAM L. LONG DIES IN A HOSPITAL IN KANSAS CITY
End Came This Morning Following An Operation a Week Ago
William L. LONG, a lifelong resident of Jefferson county and all his life prominent in business and official life, died this morning in a hospital in Kansas City, following an operation a week ago.
F.S. CUMMINGS, a brother-in-law, left over the Rock Island at 10 oclock for Kansas City to make arrangements for bringing the body here for burial. Funeral services doubtless will be held at the First Presbyterian church, of which he was an official, and burial will be in Evergreen cemetery beside his wife who died more than a quarter of a century ago.
Mr. LONG had been in ill health for months and in September went to Excelsior Springs, Mo., to recouperate. He was told there that he had a cancer and was advised to go to Kansas City for treatment. He became a patient at the Thornton and Minor sanitarium where he staid (sic. stayed) for several weeks, making two or three trips there, going for the last time the night before Thanksgiving. He wrote friends here upon his arrival and again that he was to have an operation. Then letters ceased to come and it was not until Dr. R. S. SAYERS received a long distance telephone message from Ralph ELLIS, Mr. LONG's cousin living in Kansas City, that their worst fears were confirmed. A previous message, shortly before, had borne the news that death was imminent.
WAS 68 YEARS OLD
Mr. LONG was born here December 27, 1860, attended the public schools and worked on his father's farm about two miles northwest of the family there and after they moved to Fairfield. The father previous to moving to the farm had been in the mercantile business in Fairfield, city clerk for six terms, had held various other offices including that of mayor, and was the agent here for the King's Bridge company.
The son was elected city clerk shortly after moving to Fairfield from the farm and held that office for many years. It was while he was in that office that he established the mark on the south side of the square which is the city datum and from which all elevations are measured.
HELD MANY OFFICES
He was elected clerk of court and held that office for two terms. He was in the clothing business for some time, the firm being LONG and KEMP and the location one of the rooms now occupied by the Fair. He served two terms recently in the legislature. For years he has been in the real estate business and he was especially trusted in the handling of estates and the affairs of widows and orphans. In some cases it is known that in bad investments he took the loss himself rather than have a client suffer, and those who knew him well would put their business into his hands with the utmost confidence, in many cases never even checking the accounts he rendered.
He married Miss Ann M. CUMMINGS thirty years ago. She lived less than two years following the wedding, but he cherished her memory with a steady devotion. Her picture always was before him on his office desk, and while the styles in clothing changed so that the picture may have looked old-fashioned to others, it still was a fresh and vivid memory to him.
KNEW LOCAL HISTORY
For years Mr. LONG lived in an apartment with the late Henry WILLIS, but ten years ago he took an office and apartment over Gaines' restaurant. His apartment, which he cared for himself, was kept as neat and tidy as any woman could keep it.
He had a careful and accurate mind and a most retentive memory. For years he has been the source of many articles published in the Daily Ledger, and this office appealed to him for many facts of Fairfield history. He could walk about the city and point out dozen of houses that has been moved from downtown fifty years ago and tell where they had been located and who built and lived in them.
Mr. LONG is survived by two brothers, George S., two years older, of Trindad, Colo., and Dr. Clifton S. of Denver three years younger. The latter is very ill in a sanitarium in New Mexico.
------
"Fairfield Ledger", Dec. 16, 1929
Dr. Clifford S. LONG of Denver, Col., and George S. LONG of Trinidad, Col., brothers of the deceased, were here for the last rites.
------
Excerpted from the obituary of his brother, George:
The CHRONICLE NEWS, page 4, Trinidad, Colo., Sunday, October 25, 1931
"....William Long, pioneer business man and who became a running mate with Abraham Lincoln in 1860 on the local Republican ticket. In a small frame Engineer Long has preserved the original Fairfield, Iowa ballot which shows at the top the names of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, for president and vice president, and William Long, candidate for clerk of the district court....."
This item provided by Jon Long on Feb. 3, 2011.
-------
Fairfield Daily Ledger
Saturday, August 25, 1928
Pg. 4 Col.'s 5 & 6
Letters to the Editor
The Good Old Days
Editor Ledger: We often hear the remark, "There is more liquor sold in Fairfield and more drunkeness today than in the days of the open saloon." But some of our older citizens are inclined to doubt this statement.
The writer can well remember back in the early seventies (sic. 1870's, that is), when the population of Fairfield was about 1,800, there were fifteen licensed saloon in town, a brewery and an indefinite number of "bootleggers," who paid no license. Drunken brawls and fights were daily occurrences, and it was not uncommon thing to see drunken men lying under the trees in Central park their faces covered with flies and other insects. Circus crowds, Fourth of July celebrations and political rallies were often turned into drunken orgies and the city police force which consisted of Thomas HARRIS, D. W. MASON and Willis STRONG was kept busy quelling riots and carrying drunken men to jail as long as there was room in the building to pile them. As the population of the town increased the drunks increased in corresponding numbers, and the city authorities were compelled to build a calaboose to accommodate the overflow, and that is how the handsome city bastile on Second street came into existence. In addition to the fifteen saloons in Fairfield, there was a saloon in Lockridge, one in Germanville, one in Abingdon, one in Batavia, one in Libertyville, and seven in Perlee.
In the year 1876, the board of supervisors of Jefferson county had a pamphlet published for distribution at the Centennial exposition being held at Philadelphia for the purpose of advertising Jefferson county and Fairfield as a desireable place for homeseekers to locate and for capitalist to make investments. Among the various business enterprises, institutions, etc., enumerated in this pamphlet the following appear: thirteen groceries, two restaurants, two general stores, three boot and shoe stores, two hat and cap stores, three jewelry stores, three book stores, four meat markets, six millinery stores, three stove and tinware stores, two foundries, one woolen goods store, two flour mills, two butter and egg depots, two hardware stores, four grain elevators, two funiture stores, three harness shops, six tailors, five wagon shops, ten boot and shoemakers, seven blacksmith shops, one gunsmith shop, four barber shops, three lumber yards, one furniture factory, three livery stables, two bus lines, one broom factory, three banks, two railfoads, one patent medicine manufactory, four private schools, one union school, four hotels, one opera house, three public halls, two musical instrument dealers, three newspapers, three coal dealers, one public library, ten churches, Parsons college, four dentists, fourteen physicians, nineteen lawyers, five drug stores and ten saloons.
How many of our citizens would welcome the saloons back?
W. L. LONG
--------
This overall memorial updated on February 5, 2011 with more complete obituary information and additional bio text.
--------
The following obituary is added February 18, 2015 per edit request:
BURLINGTON HAWK-EYE
BURLINGTON, IOWA
THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 12, 1929-PG. 10
WILLIAM LONG DIES IN KANSAS
PROMINENT FAIRFIELD RESIDENT PASSES
AWAY IN KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL
Special To The Hawk-Eye
Fairfield, Ia., Dec. 11,--William L. Long died this morning in a Kansas City hospital following an operation a week ago, and Frank Cummings, a brother-in-law, went down there today to bring the body home. Funeral services will be arranged later, but will doubtless be held in the Presbyterian church of which he was a member and an official. Mr. Long was a lifelong resident of Jefferson county and one of the leading citizens. He was in the clothing business for several years and later handled real estate. He was county clerk for two terms and a member of the state assembly for two terms. Mr. Long had been in ill health for some time and had gone to Kansas City for treatment.
Mr. Long was born here December 17, 1860, and grew to manhood on the farm northwest of the city. He was married about thirty-five years ago to Miss Anna Cummings of this city, who lived only a short time. He is survived by two brothers, George S., of Trinidad, Colo., and Dr. Clifton S. (Cummings), of Denver.
Son of William and Catharine Stever Long.
Married Anna M Cummings on or about November 30, 1899.
William is listed on the family data sheet at the Fairfield Public Library as having died at "Kansas City". Am assuming that this meant in Missouri, but the state could also be Kansas. Any clarification would be appreciated.
William (and wife Anna) is buried in the Long family plot with his parents and siblings.
-------
Fairfield Ledger
Wednesday Dec. 11, 1929
Page 1, Col. 1.
WILLIAM L. LONG DIES IN A HOSPITAL IN KANSAS CITY
End Came This Morning Following An Operation a Week Ago
William L. LONG, a lifelong resident of Jefferson county and all his life prominent in business and official life, died this morning in a hospital in Kansas City, following an operation a week ago.
F.S. CUMMINGS, a brother-in-law, left over the Rock Island at 10 oclock for Kansas City to make arrangements for bringing the body here for burial. Funeral services doubtless will be held at the First Presbyterian church, of which he was an official, and burial will be in Evergreen cemetery beside his wife who died more than a quarter of a century ago.
Mr. LONG had been in ill health for months and in September went to Excelsior Springs, Mo., to recouperate. He was told there that he had a cancer and was advised to go to Kansas City for treatment. He became a patient at the Thornton and Minor sanitarium where he staid (sic. stayed) for several weeks, making two or three trips there, going for the last time the night before Thanksgiving. He wrote friends here upon his arrival and again that he was to have an operation. Then letters ceased to come and it was not until Dr. R. S. SAYERS received a long distance telephone message from Ralph ELLIS, Mr. LONG's cousin living in Kansas City, that their worst fears were confirmed. A previous message, shortly before, had borne the news that death was imminent.
WAS 68 YEARS OLD
Mr. LONG was born here December 27, 1860, attended the public schools and worked on his father's farm about two miles northwest of the family there and after they moved to Fairfield. The father previous to moving to the farm had been in the mercantile business in Fairfield, city clerk for six terms, had held various other offices including that of mayor, and was the agent here for the King's Bridge company.
The son was elected city clerk shortly after moving to Fairfield from the farm and held that office for many years. It was while he was in that office that he established the mark on the south side of the square which is the city datum and from which all elevations are measured.
HELD MANY OFFICES
He was elected clerk of court and held that office for two terms. He was in the clothing business for some time, the firm being LONG and KEMP and the location one of the rooms now occupied by the Fair. He served two terms recently in the legislature. For years he has been in the real estate business and he was especially trusted in the handling of estates and the affairs of widows and orphans. In some cases it is known that in bad investments he took the loss himself rather than have a client suffer, and those who knew him well would put their business into his hands with the utmost confidence, in many cases never even checking the accounts he rendered.
He married Miss Ann M. CUMMINGS thirty years ago. She lived less than two years following the wedding, but he cherished her memory with a steady devotion. Her picture always was before him on his office desk, and while the styles in clothing changed so that the picture may have looked old-fashioned to others, it still was a fresh and vivid memory to him.
KNEW LOCAL HISTORY
For years Mr. LONG lived in an apartment with the late Henry WILLIS, but ten years ago he took an office and apartment over Gaines' restaurant. His apartment, which he cared for himself, was kept as neat and tidy as any woman could keep it.
He had a careful and accurate mind and a most retentive memory. For years he has been the source of many articles published in the Daily Ledger, and this office appealed to him for many facts of Fairfield history. He could walk about the city and point out dozen of houses that has been moved from downtown fifty years ago and tell where they had been located and who built and lived in them.
Mr. LONG is survived by two brothers, George S., two years older, of Trindad, Colo., and Dr. Clifton S. of Denver three years younger. The latter is very ill in a sanitarium in New Mexico.
------
"Fairfield Ledger", Dec. 16, 1929
Dr. Clifford S. LONG of Denver, Col., and George S. LONG of Trinidad, Col., brothers of the deceased, were here for the last rites.
------
Excerpted from the obituary of his brother, George:
The CHRONICLE NEWS, page 4, Trinidad, Colo., Sunday, October 25, 1931
"....William Long, pioneer business man and who became a running mate with Abraham Lincoln in 1860 on the local Republican ticket. In a small frame Engineer Long has preserved the original Fairfield, Iowa ballot which shows at the top the names of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, for president and vice president, and William Long, candidate for clerk of the district court....."
This item provided by Jon Long on Feb. 3, 2011.
-------
Fairfield Daily Ledger
Saturday, August 25, 1928
Pg. 4 Col.'s 5 & 6
Letters to the Editor
The Good Old Days
Editor Ledger: We often hear the remark, "There is more liquor sold in Fairfield and more drunkeness today than in the days of the open saloon." But some of our older citizens are inclined to doubt this statement.
The writer can well remember back in the early seventies (sic. 1870's, that is), when the population of Fairfield was about 1,800, there were fifteen licensed saloon in town, a brewery and an indefinite number of "bootleggers," who paid no license. Drunken brawls and fights were daily occurrences, and it was not uncommon thing to see drunken men lying under the trees in Central park their faces covered with flies and other insects. Circus crowds, Fourth of July celebrations and political rallies were often turned into drunken orgies and the city police force which consisted of Thomas HARRIS, D. W. MASON and Willis STRONG was kept busy quelling riots and carrying drunken men to jail as long as there was room in the building to pile them. As the population of the town increased the drunks increased in corresponding numbers, and the city authorities were compelled to build a calaboose to accommodate the overflow, and that is how the handsome city bastile on Second street came into existence. In addition to the fifteen saloons in Fairfield, there was a saloon in Lockridge, one in Germanville, one in Abingdon, one in Batavia, one in Libertyville, and seven in Perlee.
In the year 1876, the board of supervisors of Jefferson county had a pamphlet published for distribution at the Centennial exposition being held at Philadelphia for the purpose of advertising Jefferson county and Fairfield as a desireable place for homeseekers to locate and for capitalist to make investments. Among the various business enterprises, institutions, etc., enumerated in this pamphlet the following appear: thirteen groceries, two restaurants, two general stores, three boot and shoe stores, two hat and cap stores, three jewelry stores, three book stores, four meat markets, six millinery stores, three stove and tinware stores, two foundries, one woolen goods store, two flour mills, two butter and egg depots, two hardware stores, four grain elevators, two funiture stores, three harness shops, six tailors, five wagon shops, ten boot and shoemakers, seven blacksmith shops, one gunsmith shop, four barber shops, three lumber yards, one furniture factory, three livery stables, two bus lines, one broom factory, three banks, two railfoads, one patent medicine manufactory, four private schools, one union school, four hotels, one opera house, three public halls, two musical instrument dealers, three newspapers, three coal dealers, one public library, ten churches, Parsons college, four dentists, fourteen physicians, nineteen lawyers, five drug stores and ten saloons.
How many of our citizens would welcome the saloons back?
W. L. LONG
--------
This overall memorial updated on February 5, 2011 with more complete obituary information and additional bio text.
--------
The following obituary is added February 18, 2015 per edit request:
BURLINGTON HAWK-EYE
BURLINGTON, IOWA
THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 12, 1929-PG. 10
WILLIAM LONG DIES IN KANSAS
PROMINENT FAIRFIELD RESIDENT PASSES
AWAY IN KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL
Special To The Hawk-Eye
Fairfield, Ia., Dec. 11,--William L. Long died this morning in a Kansas City hospital following an operation a week ago, and Frank Cummings, a brother-in-law, went down there today to bring the body home. Funeral services will be arranged later, but will doubtless be held in the Presbyterian church of which he was a member and an official. Mr. Long was a lifelong resident of Jefferson county and one of the leading citizens. He was in the clothing business for several years and later handled real estate. He was county clerk for two terms and a member of the state assembly for two terms. Mr. Long had been in ill health for some time and had gone to Kansas City for treatment.
Mr. Long was born here December 17, 1860, and grew to manhood on the farm northwest of the city. He was married about thirty-five years ago to Miss Anna Cummings of this city, who lived only a short time. He is survived by two brothers, George S., of Trinidad, Colo., and Dr. Clifton S. (Cummings), of Denver.
Married Anna M Cummings on or about November 30, 1899.
William is listed on the family data sheet at the Fairfield Public Library as having died at "Kansas City". Am assuming that this meant in Missouri, but the state could also be Kansas. Any clarification would be appreciated.
William (and wife Anna) is buried in the Long family plot with his parents and siblings.
-------
Fairfield Ledger
Wednesday Dec. 11, 1929
Page 1, Col. 1.
WILLIAM L. LONG DIES IN A HOSPITAL IN KANSAS CITY
End Came This Morning Following An Operation a Week Ago
William L. LONG, a lifelong resident of Jefferson county and all his life prominent in business and official life, died this morning in a hospital in Kansas City, following an operation a week ago.
F.S. CUMMINGS, a brother-in-law, left over the Rock Island at 10 oclock for Kansas City to make arrangements for bringing the body here for burial. Funeral services doubtless will be held at the First Presbyterian church, of which he was an official, and burial will be in Evergreen cemetery beside his wife who died more than a quarter of a century ago.
Mr. LONG had been in ill health for months and in September went to Excelsior Springs, Mo., to recouperate. He was told there that he had a cancer and was advised to go to Kansas City for treatment. He became a patient at the Thornton and Minor sanitarium where he staid (sic. stayed) for several weeks, making two or three trips there, going for the last time the night before Thanksgiving. He wrote friends here upon his arrival and again that he was to have an operation. Then letters ceased to come and it was not until Dr. R. S. SAYERS received a long distance telephone message from Ralph ELLIS, Mr. LONG's cousin living in Kansas City, that their worst fears were confirmed. A previous message, shortly before, had borne the news that death was imminent.
WAS 68 YEARS OLD
Mr. LONG was born here December 27, 1860, attended the public schools and worked on his father's farm about two miles northwest of the family there and after they moved to Fairfield. The father previous to moving to the farm had been in the mercantile business in Fairfield, city clerk for six terms, had held various other offices including that of mayor, and was the agent here for the King's Bridge company.
The son was elected city clerk shortly after moving to Fairfield from the farm and held that office for many years. It was while he was in that office that he established the mark on the south side of the square which is the city datum and from which all elevations are measured.
HELD MANY OFFICES
He was elected clerk of court and held that office for two terms. He was in the clothing business for some time, the firm being LONG and KEMP and the location one of the rooms now occupied by the Fair. He served two terms recently in the legislature. For years he has been in the real estate business and he was especially trusted in the handling of estates and the affairs of widows and orphans. In some cases it is known that in bad investments he took the loss himself rather than have a client suffer, and those who knew him well would put their business into his hands with the utmost confidence, in many cases never even checking the accounts he rendered.
He married Miss Ann M. CUMMINGS thirty years ago. She lived less than two years following the wedding, but he cherished her memory with a steady devotion. Her picture always was before him on his office desk, and while the styles in clothing changed so that the picture may have looked old-fashioned to others, it still was a fresh and vivid memory to him.
KNEW LOCAL HISTORY
For years Mr. LONG lived in an apartment with the late Henry WILLIS, but ten years ago he took an office and apartment over Gaines' restaurant. His apartment, which he cared for himself, was kept as neat and tidy as any woman could keep it.
He had a careful and accurate mind and a most retentive memory. For years he has been the source of many articles published in the Daily Ledger, and this office appealed to him for many facts of Fairfield history. He could walk about the city and point out dozen of houses that has been moved from downtown fifty years ago and tell where they had been located and who built and lived in them.
Mr. LONG is survived by two brothers, George S., two years older, of Trindad, Colo., and Dr. Clifton S. of Denver three years younger. The latter is very ill in a sanitarium in New Mexico.
------
"Fairfield Ledger", Dec. 16, 1929
Dr. Clifford S. LONG of Denver, Col., and George S. LONG of Trinidad, Col., brothers of the deceased, were here for the last rites.
------
Excerpted from the obituary of his brother, George:
The CHRONICLE NEWS, page 4, Trinidad, Colo., Sunday, October 25, 1931
"....William Long, pioneer business man and who became a running mate with Abraham Lincoln in 1860 on the local Republican ticket. In a small frame Engineer Long has preserved the original Fairfield, Iowa ballot which shows at the top the names of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, for president and vice president, and William Long, candidate for clerk of the district court....."
This item provided by Jon Long on Feb. 3, 2011.
-------
Fairfield Daily Ledger
Saturday, August 25, 1928
Pg. 4 Col.'s 5 & 6
Letters to the Editor
The Good Old Days
Editor Ledger: We often hear the remark, "There is more liquor sold in Fairfield and more drunkeness today than in the days of the open saloon." But some of our older citizens are inclined to doubt this statement.
The writer can well remember back in the early seventies (sic. 1870's, that is), when the population of Fairfield was about 1,800, there were fifteen licensed saloon in town, a brewery and an indefinite number of "bootleggers," who paid no license. Drunken brawls and fights were daily occurrences, and it was not uncommon thing to see drunken men lying under the trees in Central park their faces covered with flies and other insects. Circus crowds, Fourth of July celebrations and political rallies were often turned into drunken orgies and the city police force which consisted of Thomas HARRIS, D. W. MASON and Willis STRONG was kept busy quelling riots and carrying drunken men to jail as long as there was room in the building to pile them. As the population of the town increased the drunks increased in corresponding numbers, and the city authorities were compelled to build a calaboose to accommodate the overflow, and that is how the handsome city bastile on Second street came into existence. In addition to the fifteen saloons in Fairfield, there was a saloon in Lockridge, one in Germanville, one in Abingdon, one in Batavia, one in Libertyville, and seven in Perlee.
In the year 1876, the board of supervisors of Jefferson county had a pamphlet published for distribution at the Centennial exposition being held at Philadelphia for the purpose of advertising Jefferson county and Fairfield as a desireable place for homeseekers to locate and for capitalist to make investments. Among the various business enterprises, institutions, etc., enumerated in this pamphlet the following appear: thirteen groceries, two restaurants, two general stores, three boot and shoe stores, two hat and cap stores, three jewelry stores, three book stores, four meat markets, six millinery stores, three stove and tinware stores, two foundries, one woolen goods store, two flour mills, two butter and egg depots, two hardware stores, four grain elevators, two funiture stores, three harness shops, six tailors, five wagon shops, ten boot and shoemakers, seven blacksmith shops, one gunsmith shop, four barber shops, three lumber yards, one furniture factory, three livery stables, two bus lines, one broom factory, three banks, two railfoads, one patent medicine manufactory, four private schools, one union school, four hotels, one opera house, three public halls, two musical instrument dealers, three newspapers, three coal dealers, one public library, ten churches, Parsons college, four dentists, fourteen physicians, nineteen lawyers, five drug stores and ten saloons.
How many of our citizens would welcome the saloons back?
W. L. LONG
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This overall memorial updated on February 5, 2011 with more complete obituary information and additional bio text.
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The following obituary is added February 18, 2015 per edit request:
BURLINGTON HAWK-EYE
BURLINGTON, IOWA
THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 12, 1929-PG. 10
WILLIAM LONG DIES IN KANSAS
PROMINENT FAIRFIELD RESIDENT PASSES
AWAY IN KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL
Special To The Hawk-Eye
Fairfield, Ia., Dec. 11,--William L. Long died this morning in a Kansas City hospital following an operation a week ago, and Frank Cummings, a brother-in-law, went down there today to bring the body home. Funeral services will be arranged later, but will doubtless be held in the Presbyterian church of which he was a member and an official. Mr. Long was a lifelong resident of Jefferson county and one of the leading citizens. He was in the clothing business for several years and later handled real estate. He was county clerk for two terms and a member of the state assembly for two terms. Mr. Long had been in ill health for some time and had gone to Kansas City for treatment.
Mr. Long was born here December 17, 1860, and grew to manhood on the farm northwest of the city. He was married about thirty-five years ago to Miss Anna Cummings of this city, who lived only a short time. He is survived by two brothers, George S., of Trinidad, Colo., and Dr. Clifton S. (Cummings), of Denver.
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