BIOGRAPHY: Arthur B. LONG, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 463-464.

  ARTHUR B. LONG, deceased, formerly of Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., was the 
son of James Long, and was born November 5, 1806, in Lancaster county.  He 
obtained his education in the "subscription schools," which preceded the 
introduction of the common school system.  At the age of fifteen, he journeyed 
on foot from Lancaster county to Mifflin county.  Here he found a home with his 
aunt, Mrs. Mary C. Reed, wife of Thomas Reed.  From his uncle Mr. Long learned 
the trade of wagon-making, which calling he followed in Lewistown, purchasing in 
that borough a shop and a lot, upon which he not long after built a comfortable 
home.  He was married in 1829, and for four years after continued in the quiet 
pursuit of his trade, with encouraging prosperity.  In 1833, Mr. Long and his 
father-in-law, William Shaw, built the Mount Rock Flour Mills, at Lewistown, and 
conducted them with success for about ten years.  At the end of that time, 
having become interested in the manufacture of threshing machines, with a very 
flattering prospect for a lucrative trade, Mr. Long sold out his interest in the 
flour-mills.  His next venture was the purchase of the right to manufacture the 
well-known, now old-fashioned "Hathaway Stove," for sale in six counties.  His 
foundry was built at Lewistown.  This enterprise proved a very successful one.  
Not so his furnace investments.  The erection of the Isabella Furnace at 
Lewistown, in which he was a partner, and the renting of the Hope Furnace, also 
in Mifflin county, were the occasion of what would have been, to any man of less 
sound judgment, equanimity and tact, total and irretrievable ruin.  His spirit 
and determination conquered circumstances, and we find him soon again in 
possession of the Isabella Furnace, which had been sold out by the sheriff, and 
filling large and profitable contracts with the railroad companies.  One of 
these, a contract with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for the construction of 
reservoirs and water tanks, continued in force for twenty-eight years, long 
enough for him to place himself once more on a firm basis, satisfying all his 
creditors in full.
  Mr. Long now became largely interested in coal and timber lands in Clearfield 
county, Pa., and some time later, associated with himself in these interests his 
sons, William James and George Henry.  These lands were afterwards leased at a 
royalty for thirty years.  The Longs purchased extensive woodlands near Grand 
Rapids, Mich., where they continued their business for about eighteen years.  At 
the end of that time, they had put on the market an aggregate of one hundred and 
fifty million feet of lumber.  Mr. Long constructed a railroad from his mills to 
the city of Grand Rapids.  The Michigan interest is now under the management of 
his son, George H. Long.  Mr. Long was warmly and actively interested in public 
affairs.  He was an adherent of the Whig party, so long as it existed, and 
afterwards became a Republican.  He never desired or accepted public office.
  Arthur B. Long was married, December 1, 1829, to Anna Eliza, daughter of 
William and Catherine (Watson) Shaw.  Two of their children, Robert Watson and 
Anna Mary, died in childhood;  those surviving are:  William James, married 
Sarah Albright, has four children;  George Henry, married Catherine Scheller, 
has eleven children;  John S., married Catherine Turner, has one child;  Mary 
Catherine, wife of Charles S. Hurlbut, M. D., of Lewistown;  and Albert B.  Mrs. 
Arthur B. Long was a granddaughter of William Shaw, of Northumberland county, 
Pa.  Her father, William Shaw, Jr., married Catherine Watson, daughter of -----, 
a native of Ireland, resident in Philadelphia, where he married Miss Corey.  
Arthur B. Long died in his seventy-eighth year, June 23, 1884.  He was a deacon 
of the Lewistown Presbyterian church, of which he had for many years been a 
faithful and active member.  He was a lover of sacred music.  He not only 
organized the first choir of the Lewistown congregation, but promoted in every 
way the improvement of that part of the worship.
  Albert B. Long, youngest son of Arthur B. and Anna Eliza (Shaw) Long, was 
educated in the common schools and at the academy of Lewistown.  On attaining 
his majority he became identified with the lumber interests at Grand Rapids, 
Mich., with his father and brothers.  Mr. Long is a Republican, and adheres 
firmly to party principles.  He resides in West Market street, Lewistown, Pa.  
Albert B. Long was married, September 8, 1880, to Sarah Jane, daughter of Oliver 
C. and Anna Eliza Chesney.  Two of their five children are deceased.  Those 
surviving are:  Clarence A.;  Hurlbut C.;  and Albert B., Jr.  Mr. Long and his 
family attend the Presbyterian church.  Mr. and Mrs. Chesney have the following 
children:  Charles C.;  William Albert;  Blanche;  Rosabelle (Mrs. James 
Stackpole);  Mary Ellen (Mrs. Samuel L. Lutz);  and Sarah Jane (Mrs. A. B. 
Long.)