USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, *and* permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. ************************************************************************** The following biography is on my GGGrandfather, William A. Long The Long's migrated to Ogle county in 1851, and several of william's siblings remained in Ogle county. William and several of his brothers served in the Civil War from Ogle Cty ----------------------------------------------------------- Excerpt from "Memorial and Biographical Record, Compendium of Biography," Geo. A Ogle & Co., Publishers, Engravers and Book Manufacturers, Chicago, 1897 William A. Long, well known as an old settler and one of Hutchinson countys skillful, practical and successful farmers, resides in section 23, township 98, range 58. He is a son of Jonathan and Catherine (Adams) Long, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of French descent. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are still living, viz.: John A. of Spokane Falls, Washington, an old soldier; William A., the subject of this sketch; Jonathan A., living in Ogle County, Illinois, also a veteran of the war; and Sarah Yeager, who lives in Charles Mix county, South Dakota. Her husband is also an old soldier. Our subject was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1841, and lived there until ten years of age. He then moved with his parents to Ogle county, Illinois, where he was educated and grew to manhood. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and as was sent to Alton, Illinois. During the first year of the war he operated under General Pope in Missouri. In 1862 he was put under General U. S. Grant and took part in the engagements at Fort Donelson and Shiloh. In the latter he received wounds from a musket ball in the left foot and in the right thigh, and was taken to the hospital at Mound City, Illinois. As a result of this he got a furlough, which he spent at home, and when he joined the regiment again it was at Memphis, Tennessee. From there he went to Vicksburg and took part in the engagements which culminated in the famous "Siege of Vicksburg." He then went to Jackson, Mississippi, under Division Commander General Laumann, where a very desperate charge was made but without success. The army then fell back to Vicksburg, and from there to Natchez, Mississippi. Prior to the last movement he was engaged in a battle at Hatchie, under General Hurlbut. From Natchez they marched up the Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee and joined Shermans army. Mr. Longs term expired while he was at Huntsville, Alabama, and he returned to his home in Illinois. In 1865 he re-enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was appointed first sergeant of the company. They went to New York city and to Morehead City and then to Appomattox, where Lees army was forced to surrender. It was then his privilege to accompany the army to Washington, District of Columbia, and to participate in the "grand review." This division was then sent by rail to the Ohio river, then down the river to Cairo and up the Missouri to Leavenworth, Kansas. From there they marched to Fort Kearney, back again to Leavenworth, the to St. Joseph, Missouri, and to Springfield, Illinois, where he was mustered out in July, 1865. Returning to his home in Ogle county, Illinois, he learned the potters trade, and after following that for three years, he began farming in the same county. In 1884 he moved to Dakota and settled on the prairie, the site of his present home. He is now nicely situated in a comfortable little house on a productive, well-improved farm of eighty acres. Mr. Long was married in 1869 to Miss Mary C. Huff, a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born eleven children, six of whom are still living, viz. : Annie Dean, Theodosia Barth, Lyman A., living at home; Fannie Alice, Katie and Grace Melinda. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Evangelical Association, and the children, with the exception of Lyman and Annie, have followed their parents example in selecting their place of worship. Lyman and Annie are members of the Free Methodist denomination. Our subject is a man who commands respect wherever he is known. He is an old soldier and can look back over an honorable military career spent in trying to defend the Union. During those times he was a brave and true soldier, and served his country well and faithfully, as today he is a true and faithful citizen, and ably seconds all projects which tends to the protection and building up of the interests of the community in which he lives. He is a member of the G. A. R. post at Olivet and has held the position of senior vice commander of same. Politically he endorses the principles of the Republican party. File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Hope A. Carnicle (© 1997 Hope A. Carnicle)