Long, George W.

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

George W. Long is postmaster at Galena. Prior to his appointment to that office during the present administration he had become known as a young and vigorous business man and merchant.

He practically grew up in the grocery trade and knows its every detail not only from the point of view of a salesman but also from the business office. He first became known to the citizens of Galena in 1897 when he entered the service of one of the grocery stores and was employed as a clerk up to 1904. He gave up his work long enough during that year to attend the Joplin Business College, and fortified with this training he returned to Galena and resumed employment in a store for six months. Then in 1905 he set up in business for himself and now owns that excellent market known to all the people of Galena at 923 East Seventh Street. He also owns his residence at 915 East Fifth Street.

Mr. George W. Long was born in Barry County, Missouri, January 18, 1884, and his family were among the early settlers in that section of Southern Missouri. The Longs came originally from England and first settled in the Carolinas and afterwards were pioneers in the State of Tennessee. His grandparents Washburn and Margaret Long were both natives of Tennessee. His grandfather was born in 1831 and died in Barry County, Missouri, in 1909. He went to Missouri in 1853, and spent the rest of his days there as a farmer.

Aaron Long, father of George W., is a well known citizen of Galena. He was born in Barry County, Missouri, in 1850 reared and married there, and took up merchandising which he followed in Missouri until his removal to Galena in 1898. For a time he was a grocer in Galena, later proprietor of a hotel, and is now back in the grocery business, having a store at Tenth Street and Euclid Avenue. His political support has always been given to the democratic party and during his residence in Missouri he served on the County Central Committee. He is a member of the Christian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Cassville, Missouri. Aaron Long married Lucy Ethridge, who was born in Marion County, Illinois, in 1852. Their children are: Charles, a farmer in Barry County, Missouri; Ida, wife of W. M. Hemphill, a Barry County farmer; Anna, wife of E. P. Moore, who is employed in the grocery business at Galena; Edna, wife of Dow Moore, a wholesale grocer at Galena; George W.; Lena, who lives with her parents and is employed as a bookkeeper; Stella, who died unmarried at Galena at the age of twenty-six.

The early life of George W. Long was spent in Barry County, where he received his early education in the public schools. His life has been one of varied interests and every worthy movement finds in him a loyal advocate. He is active in the First Christian Church at Galena as a deacon, is a member of the Galena Community Club, and is affiliated with Lodge No. 195 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 677 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Lodge No. 266 Fraternal Order of Eagles, all of Galena. For two years he served as chairman of the City Democratic Central Committee. He was city alderman one term and was treasurer of the board of education two terms.

In 1907 in Galena he married Miss Ethel Raines, a daughter of George W. and Naomi (Page) Raines. Her mother died in May, 1916, and her father is a farmer in Cherokee County. Mr. and Mrs. Long have one child, George Aaron, born December 4, 1908.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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