George P. Long, Winn Parish, Louisiana
Submitter: Greggory E. Davies
120 Ted Price Lane
Winnfield, LA  71483
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George P. Long


George P. Long was a notable business man, banker, farmer, stock dealer
and a brother of Huey Pierce Long, Sr., and uncle to noted politicians 
Julius, Huey, Earl, and George Shannon Long, all of Winn Parish, Louisiana. 
He was born in Smith County, Mississippi, January 11, 1849 and his parents Mr.
and Mrs. John M. Long moved the family to Winn Parish, Louisiana when he was
about ten years old.  His uncle, James L. Long had moved to the same area
around 1856.  

The father of George, John M., was born in 1825 and died in 1902.  The mother,
Mary Wingate, was born in 1828 and also died in 1902.  John M. Long had been a
farmer and stock dealer in Mississippi, and followed the same line of business
in Winn Parish.  Sources state that  John M. Long was opposed to secession, 
but that he supported the war.  

John M. Long and his wife had fourteen children, eleven who reached the age of
maturity.  George P. was the eldest of the living children.  William retired
as a farmer.  Huey P. was a farmer, as was Albert J., who also was a salesman. 
Alice married James D. Wright.  Joan married Ed Eagles.  Ollie and Julie were
twins, Ollie marrying Riley Wright and Julie married a Nugent.  Sophronia
married John Brown.  Harriet married Monroe Tannehill, and Ella married Harry
Eagles.  

George P. Long was educated in the "home" schools of Winn Parish and at
Forkville Academy.  He remained at his father's home until the age of
twenty-one.  Upon leaving, his father furnished him with a horse, a saddle and
bridle, and no money.  He worked for his Uncle James as a rail splitter, for
which he was paid six bits a hundred.  After earning $ 5.25 he purchased some
material which his mother used to make him a coat, and loaned the remainder to
a farmer at 20 percent interest.  This was his first experience in banking. 
He began farming on rented land and sold his first bale for $ 65.00.  He again
loaned his earnings at interest then he and his Uncle James opened a grocery
business.  He sold his interest in the store after about a year and entered
the Forkville Academy.  He taught school for a few years and later reentered
the grocery business at Colfax, Grant Parish, Louisiana.  He also dealt in
stock during this time.  

By 1884, George had saved $ 1,500 and opened a general store at Winnfield and
remained in business for several years.  In 1891 he was involved in organizing
the Bank of Winnfield, serving initially for one year as vice-president,
president for four years, then again as vice-president.  He later was involved
in the organization of Continental Bank & Trust of Shreveport.  After selling
his interest in the general store, he became involved in real estate.  He and
his brother, Huey Pierce, Sr., developed 300 acres of land into small tracts
in and around Winnfield and sold the entire tract.  At one time he owned 48
rental dwellings in Winnfield alone.  

George served a short time on the Winnfield Town Council and refused a
nomination by parish residents for the office of sheriff, but endorsed the
eventual winner for that position.  He was a democrat, a Knight of Pythias,
and a Royal Arch Mason and a Baptist.  He married Virginia Garner, daughter of
Charles Garner, of a family who came to Winn Parish from Alabama.  The Longs
had seven children:  Zelma, a teacher at Winnfield High School who was the
widow of Tom Frazer, Winnfield Town Marshal slain in the line of duty; Perrin,
who married Audrey Scott; Agnes, who married Audrey Corbitt; George P., Jr.;
Kathleen, Elizabeth and Charles.

(Source:  Henry E. Chambers' "History of Louisiana", 1925.  Submitted by
Greggory E. Davies, Winnfield, Winn Parish, La.)