An American Family History

"...never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced...-- Abraham Lincoln 1863

Thomas Long was born on May 22, 1838 in Fairfield County, Ohio according to his application for a Civil War pension. His father was John H. Long and his mother was Mary LeFevre.

John was 5 feet 10 inches and had a dark complexion, black eyes and dark hair.

He joined the Union Army on September 8, 1861 as a private in Captain S. Fisk's Company H of the 4th Illinois Cavalry Volunteers from Logan and Tazewell Counties. They were in Ottawa, Illinois. From February 5 to February 7, 1862 he suffered from catarrah. He suffered from dysentery from July 24 to August 9, 1862. It was noted in August, 1862 that he owned his own horse and equipment. He drove a wagon from September 27, 1861 to June 1, 1863.

He was  promoted to corporal on May 1, 1864. He was later promoted to sergeant. He transferred to Company M of the 12th Illinois Cavalry. He was honorably discharged on January 3, 1864 at Natchez, Mississippi.

He reenlisted January 4, 1864. He served as sergeant in Company M under Lieutenant Charles H. Busson in the Illinois Veteran Cavalry Volunteers. He was on furlough from March 18, 1864 to April 30, 1864. He transferred to company E in the consolidation on October 17, 1864. He was again honorably discharged May 29, 1866 at Houston, Texas.

He married Louisa Taylor on March 28, 1868. Their family and life together are described in detail in the section on Thomas and Louisa Long.

According to his pension application he began to suffer from heart trouble in 1877 and that it was not due to "any vicious habits."

He became a widower when Louisa died on April 12, 1911. He died of heart failure on June 21, 1917 near Kintyre, North Dakota.

Veteran of Civil War, After a Lingering Illness, Passes Away Last Saturday Morning at Home of  Daughter

At no time in the history of Napoleon was a funeral cortege to equal that of  last Monday, when  the remains of Thomas Long, Civil war veteran and highly respected citizen were carried to their  last earthly resting pace in the Napoleon cemetery. No greater tribute was ever paid a passing soul in Logan county and the large numbers who attended the services paid a respect that the deceased well earned as a true American citizen, kind and generous through life. His faith in the United States was demonstrated with two enlistment's in the army and it is with sorrow we  chronicle his death at this time for no greater joy could have entertained his patriotic spirit than to see their country victorious in its aim at world-wide liberty and everlasting peace.

Thomas Long was born in the State of Indiana, May 22, 1838, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. LeRoy Shafer, near Kintyre, N.D., June 21, 1917, at the age of 79 years, 1 month and 1 day, after an illness of about five months. 

While quite a small boy he went with his parents to Ohio and  later to Delavan, Ill., where he enlisted Aug. 8, 1861, as a private in Co.H, 4th Ill. Cav., was  promoted to corporal and later to sergeant.Was honorably discharged Jan 3, 1864, but enlisted  the same day as sergeant in Co. M, 12 Ill. Cav. Was again honorably discharged May 29, 1866. 

After the war he was united in marriage at Lincoln, Ill, March 28, 1868 to Louisa Taylor, who departed this life April 12, 1911. To this union were born six children, two sons (one dying in  infancy) and four daughters. The children left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving father are:  Viola B. Bertrand, Franklin M. Long and E. Eldora Vie, Braddock, N.D., and Clara M. Lane, Chariton, Iowa, all being present at the last sad rites. 

In the year 1885 he went from Illinois to Lucas County, Iowa where with his family he settled on a farm near Chariton, where he remained until the year of 1883. He then moved to Warren county, the same state, and in the year of 1894 he went to Webster county, where he again settled on a farm, from which place he came to Napoleon near which place he has made his home for the past fifteen years.

Short funeral services were held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Roy Shafter, at Kintyre and at the M.E. church, in this city, Monday afternoon, Rev. Stowell of Kintyre officiating. It was the largest funeral in the history of Napoleon and practically all business was suspended. 

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