My Genealogy Hound

William Long is one of the most prominent men of Washington County, and his connection with its affairs dates back to a period which only few can remember. He was born in Washington County February 16, 1818, and is a son of Samuel Long, a native of Virginia, who was taken to Kentucky at the age of seven years, where he lived until his nineteenth year, and then settled in Washington County, Mo. In 1816 Samuel Long married Nancy Whaley, also of Virginia, and of the eighteen children born to them fourteen grew to maturity, and nine are now living. The father was taken from his home during the war, and brutally shot without cause. The mother died May 11, 1878. William Long was reared a farmer, and in 1847 commenced handling mineral, and also engaged in smelting and selling goods. He conducted a large and successful business until the panic of 1873, when he suffered severe and heavy losses, which absorbed the profits of years. He has been connected in the management or sale of the largest operations of the county. He settled, where he now resides, in 1876. Mr. Long has been twice married—first, April 6, 1848, to Miss Mary Parkinson, a native of Washington County, and a daughter of William Parkinson, who was born in England in 1827, and married Sarah Kennedy, a native of South Carolina. Mrs. Long died in September, 1875, leaving five children, four of whom are now living, viz.: Samuel L., Joseph M., Sarah E. and Anna B. Mr. Long’s second marriage took place March 29, 1877, to Miss Rhoda Chambers, who was born in Warren County, Mo., and is a daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Kennedy) Chambers, of South Carolina. Too much cannot be said of Mr. Long’s identification with the interests of Washington County. No worthy movement tending to its financial or moral advancement has failed to receive his earnest support, and, though he has passed the allotted three-score years and ten, he is still one of the most active men of the county.