Meeker County MN Archives Biographies.....Delong, Albert H. 1842 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 9, 2020, 12:41 am

Source: Alden, Ogle & Co.
Author: See Below

  ALBERT H. DELONG. The subject of this sketch is a resident of section 25,
Greenleaf township, and is one of the most prominent and respected old settlers in
Meeker county. He is a native of St. Lawrence county, N. Y., born April 12, 1842,
and his parents, Hiram and Maria Delong, were natives of Grand Isle, Lake Champlain.
The mother died in the village of Greenleaf in 1870, while the father, who was born
in 1799, is still living, making his home with Albert H. The family emigrated from
New York to Wisconsin when Albert was seven years of age. His time was divided
between school and work on his father’s farm, and at the age of seventeen he came to
Meeker county, Minn. After entering and paying for a claim in what is now Ellsworth
township, he leased the flouring mill on the outlet of Cedar Lake, known as Cedar
Mill, and there he was engaged when the Indian outbreak began. A few days previous
to the massacre at Acton, Mr. Delong, while at the agency, met an old Indian known
as Charley Minnetonka, whose friendship he had gained by various acts of kindness.
He had always worn citizen’s clothes but was then robed in a bright red blanket. He
acted strangely and took occasion to inform Mr. Delong, sub rosa, that there was
going to be “a big fight.” Little or no attention was paid to the old fellow’s
warning, for it was thought he had reference to some fight in project between the
Indians. When the news of the massacre reached the mills, on the morning of August
18, 1862, Mr. Delong and Vincent Coombs started out to learn whether or not there
was any truth in the reports. Learning nothing definite, they went on to Acton and
found the people assembled there preparing to bury the bodies of the five who were
slain. When the Indians came upon the scene, Albert joined the party which chased
them to the Kandiyohi woods. Having a keen sense of the duties of a scout, he was
made useful in that capacity many times during the terrible weeks and months that
followed. At Hutchinson he was enrolled with a company of volunteers as a scout, and
for six weeks never missed a day in the saddle, riding sometimes as much as forty
miles a day. When the detail of the Ninth Minnesota Regiment was sent to Forest City
he joined them as a scout, and was riding in advance, and was first to discover the
redskins in ambush at the time of the battle near Acton. The Indians were crawling
in a wheat field and the glimmer of a bright gun was discovered by Mr. Delong, who
rode back and informed the captain. When the Indians saw they were discovered they
rose and fired a volley at the whites, and then commenced surrounding them: In this
battle three men were killed and twenty-one wounded out of a total of forty-nine in
the command. Although left behind by the command, and once almost completely
surrounded by Indians, he escaped unhurt. In the summer of 1863 he was with the
Sibley expedition as a scout, and in the fall of the same year again put his mill in
operation. Two years later he bought an interest in the Greenleaf sawmill, which he
retained about three years, and then purchased an interest in. the Greenleaf
flouring mill, he and his partner subsequently buying the old Cedar Mill. Matters
became seriously complicated with the firm, and the outcome was a complete collapse.
Albert then went to the Black Hills and spent the summer; and the following year
went out and remained nearly two years, when he returned to Meeker county and
purchased the fine farm where he at present makes his home, on section 25, Greenleaf
township.

  He has been twice married, his first wife, Cecilia Nichols Delong, to whom he was
married in 1863, bore him one child, Francis, born September 21, 1867. His first
wife died in 1869, and in 1871 Mr. Delong was married to Mary Post, daughter of
Abram and Sarah Post, of Greenleaf. She was born September 10, 1852, in the State of
New York.

   Mr. Delong has taken an active interest in the affairs calculated to benefit
either his town or county, and is rated as one of the most prominent citizens in the
south half of Meeker county. He is a member of Golden Fleece Lodge, No. 89, A. F.
and A. M.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
Illustrated Album of Biography
Meeker and McLeod Counties, Minnesota
1888


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