The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
December 3, 1930
Part 2
Page 7
Columns 1 & 2John William Long
John William Long, son of Christopher and Louise Riley Long was born near Fountain Green, Illinois March 16, 1859 and departed this life November 23rd, 1930 being 71 years 8 months and 7 days of age.
His father was ambitious and energetic, and in his day all the small grain was cut with a scythe or cradle. He with his brother-in-law, William Yetter were engaged to cradle a field of wheat and the weather was extremely warm.
This energetic man cradled wheat until far into the night to hurry the work along. He contracted a severe cold that developed into pneumonia and he passed out of this life leaving a young wife and his small son at 6 months of age.
When little William was 8 years old his mother was united in marriage with Adam Curry and in him he found a kind father who ever gave him good advice and did what he could for his welfare and neither of them was ever known to speak an unkind word to the other.
On January 13th, 1881 he was united in marriage with Lucena Beckwith and to this union 9 children were born. Two little daughters, Zora Freddis and Mary died in infancy.
Those surviving with the dear mother are Dr. Lutie B. Mosley of Fort Madison, Iowa, Clarice Tyler at present at Joetta, Dorcas Mosley of Fort Madison, Avis Todd of Burnside, Ray of Joetta, Riley of this vicinity and Norma Burr of Blandinsville. There are also 7 grandchildren, two half-brothers: James and Frank Curry, of East Carthage and a half sister, Mary Curry Bailey of Hamilton, Ill.
So devoted to his children and grandchildren was he that he was never happier than when they were all gathered around his fire side.
Mr. Long was of a jovial disposition, much given to hospitality, a kind, obliging neighbor and was ever ready to extend a helping hand to the unfortunate and needy.
Mr. Long possessed a splendid physique but several years ago his health became impaired by urenic poisoning and he has been seriously ill with this malady a number of times, so ill his life was held in a balance as it were but his eldest daughter, and his son-in-law, Dr. C. D. Tyler have brought him through these severe spells and restored him to his family and friends by their skillful, osteopathic administrations.
He came to Joetta a few days ago to visit his son Ray and family and his wife joined him in this visit Saturday and they spent a happy evening together.
Sunday morning he arose early and felt better than usual but later complained of being very sick, became unconscious and at 9:30 a. m. peacefully passed to rest.
The children were called and all hastened to the bedside of this loving father except the younger son, Riley who had 2 days previously accompanied a friend, Otis Munson on a trip to Oklahoma City.
The relatives of this devoted couple were looking forward with happy anticipations of helping them celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on Jan. 13th, but Mr. Long seemed to have a premonition that he was soon to go home and said that he didn't think he would be here at that time.
He also expressed himself as being ready and willing to go whenever the Master called.
About 36 years ago this winter Mr. and Mrs. Long were most happily converted in an evangelistic meeting held by Rev. Brewington and they united with the Free Methodist Church.
Mr. Long was always fond of sacred music and when he established his home and one by one the little folks came to them his great joy and comfort was to take them in his arms each evening and rock and sing them to sleep as he sang one beautiful hymn after another and in this way brought a little bit of Heaven into this home each day.
He and his wife committed to memory many of the new and splendid hymns used in the meetings above mentioned and the writer and husband accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Long attended a Christmas dinner almost two years ago at the home of Dr. L. B. Mosley in Fort Madison, Ia. On our journey toward home, soon after starting Mr. Long began singing those sacred songs, his wife joined him and almost the entire way home they sang, their voices so clear and sweet and the Blessed Saviour whose birth we were celebrating was present with us, the Holy Spirit was hovering near to bless and Heaven seemed near and dear and methinks today if we could but push aside the curtain that veils our mortal eyes we might see this dear brother with a glorified face singing songs of adoration and praise to the Father on High.
"I will not say and I cannot say,
That he is dead
He has gone away.
With a smile and a wave of his
cheery hand.
He has wandered into an unknown
land
And left us thinking, How very fair
It needs must be since he lingers
there,
Oh! think of him still as the same, I
say
He is not dead, he is just away."Funeral services were held in the Webster Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoon, November 25, at 2:00 o'clock, the Rev. J. W. Porter, of Carthage officiating.
Burial in the Webster cemetery.
The life story was written by the half sister, Mrs. Bailey.
The funeral services were conducted in the Free Methodist church in Webster, by Rev. J. W. Porter of Carthage, who made a comforting address.
The choir was composed of Arthur Spangler, J. A. Duffy, Miss Adda Spangler and Mrs. Ruby Hobart, with Miss Ellen Lenix presiding at the organ. The casket bearers were six of Mr. Long's nearest neighbors who lived so near to him so many years while he lived on his farm south of Webster, R. H. Long, Will Thompson, Tylee Adams, J. A. Duffy, Andrew Gipe and S. B. Lenix.
The flowers were profuse and beautiful and one of the largest concourses of friends assembled to pay their last respects to one they loved, that the church was filled to overflowing and some of the men sat out in their cars during the service, as they were unable to gain admittance.
The body was interred in the Webster cemetery by side the two little daughters who had gone on before.
The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
December 3, 1930
Part 2
Page 8
Column 4JOHN LONG
The funeral of John William Long, 71, who died in the home of his son, Ray Long, in Joetta, at 9:30 o'clock Sunday morning, was held in the Webster Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, the Rev. J. W. Porter of Carthage, officiating. Burial was in Webster cemetery.
Mr. Long, son of Christopher and Louise Riley Long, was born near Fountain Green March 16, 1859. He married Lucena Beckwith January 13, 1881. Nine children were born, two dying in infancy.
Those with the widow surviving are Dr. Lutie B. Mosley and Dorcas Mosley of Fort Madison, Ia., Avis Todd of Burnside, Ray Long and Clarice Tyler of Joetta, Riley Long of Webster and Norma Burr of Blandinsville. There are seven grandchildren and two half brothers, James and Frank Curry of East Carthage, and one half sister, Mrs. Mary Curry Baily of Hamilton.
Mr. Long was a member of the Methodist Church and an active member of the I. O. O. F. lodge.
Wife: Lucena Salome Beckwith
Children:
Lutie Bell Long 28-Jun-1881 ??-Jul-1965 Clarice Lucinda Long 19-Dec-1883 22-Feb-1948 Mary L. Long 12-Mar-1885 24-Jan-1887 Lillie Dorcas Long 23-Nov-1887 12-May-1964 Avis Evelyn Long 19-Dec-1891 22-Aug-1949 Norma Etta Lurinda Long 17-Aug-1902 15-May-1980 Reuben Ray Long 21-Mar-1894 11-Apr-1955 Zora Freddis Long 02-Oct-1897 27-Dec-1898 William Riley Long 01-Mar-1899 02-Oct-1950
