My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE LONGSDUFF. There is no more prominent or reliable insurance and real-estate agent, collector and money-lender than George Longsduff. Although formerly engaged in farming in this county, he has given that up of late years, and directs his attention chiefly to the above-mentioned business. He was born in Cumberland County, Pa., March 16, 1826. His parents, Martin and Matilda (Quigly) Longsduff, were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively, the former’s birth occurring in Cumberland County, March 16, 1789, and the latter’s about 1799. The grandfather of our subject, Martin Longsduff, Sr., was born in Germany, and married there. During the Revolutionary War he came to the United States and settled in the Keystone State, where the remainder of his days were spent. He died at an advanced age. All his life was spent in tilling the soil, and he became a man of means and influence.

The father of our subject was twice married. About 1835 he emigrated to Logan County, Ohio, and after a residence there of about thirty years moved to Cass County, Mich., where his death occurred in 1872. During his early life he followed the trade of a shoemaker, but afterward became a farmer, and was very successful in that occupation. He served all through the War of 1812, and during his old age drew a pension. He was a man universally respected and esteemed. The mother of our subject was the father’s second wife. She died in Cass County, Mich., at the advanced age of eighth-five years. For many years she was a consistent and worthy member of the Disciples Church, but her husband held membership with the Lutheran Church. Ten children were born to them, five sons and five daughters, two sons and three daughters now living: John; George, our subject; Lydia Ann, Matilda and Adeline.

Our subject remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and received a limited education in the old log schoolhouse, never attending school after his seventeenth birthday. Upon attaining his majority he started out for himself without a nickel, but being industrious, enterprising and thorough-going, it was not hard for him to find employment. As the years passed by these traits of character began to tell, and he is now one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of the county. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty-five acres of land in one farm, one hundred and six acres in another, and two good residences in Vandalia. Besides he has money on interest.

Mr. Longsduff still owns the first farm he purchased. He and his wife have every reason to be proud of the progress they have made, for their accumulations are the result of their united energy and good management. On the 9th of February, 1851, he was married to Miss Rachel S. Dodge, who was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., near Syracuse, and who is a daughter of Joseph and Ann Dodge. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge settled in Cass County, Mich., about 1810, and the father is still living. Our subject has held the office of Supervisor of Penn Township for two terms, and at one time was nominated for Representative by the Democratic party, lacking only twenty-four votes of being elected against a Republican majority of three hundred. He has been on the School Board at various times for years, and was President of the School Board at Vandalia several terms.

Mr. Longsduff’s first Presidential vote was cast for Lewis Cass. Socially, he is a member of Lodge No. 290, A. F. & A. M., is a charter member of the same, and has been Master of the lodge thirteen out of seventeen years. He has represented this lodge twelve times in the Grand Lodge, and is now Treasurer. He is also President of the Pioneer Society of Cass County, Mich. In his religious view our subject is liberal, while his wife is a worthy and consistent member of the Disciples Church. They are influential and much esteemed citizens.