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Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John O. Long is among the younger business men of Washington County, and perhaps no one has attained more prominence or exhibited more sterling qualities for the enterprises in which he has been engaged. He is a representative of one of the oldest families in the county, his grandfather having come to this country in 1811, where he married in 1816, and lived until his assassination by Federal troops, in 1862. Alfred Long, the father of John, was born in Washington County, July 15, 1819, which county has always been his home; he was reared a farmer, and married Miss Rachel Owens, who died leaving three children, John O., the youngest, being an infant. The latter was also born in Washington County, January 26, 1853; he was reared on a farm, and also acquired some experience in mercantile business. For many years John assisted his father in recuperating heavy losses incident to the war, working with a will and never shrinking from any labor that would yield them a reasonable profit. In 1871 he became a partner with his father in mercantile pursuits, which interest he still retains. In 1881 he located at Potosi, where he formed a partnership with his uncle, James Long, dealing in mineral and general merchandise. They also purchased the large tract of land known as the Moses Austin Grant, containing 3,400 acres, one of the most valuable pieces of land, considering its size, proximity to town and mineral wealth, that there is in the county. In 1884 Mr. Long was elected sheriff and collector of the county, and a more faithful or efficient official never held the position. January 1, 1881, he disposed of his interest in the land and goods at Potosi to his uncle, and accepted the position of superintendent of the Union Mining & Smelting Company. He married Miss Mary Haefner, June 17, 1884, a native of Potosi, and a daughter of Walter and Ellen Haefner, nee Casey. Mr. and Mrs. Long have one son, Alfred H.

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This family biography is one of 138 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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