The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-11-11
HON. ]. H. LONGENECKER.
JUDGE OF THE srxrEEsTH DISTRICT

A Farmers Boy Who Has Risen &C
the Bsnch-Teacher. Soldier. Law
yer, Politician and Judge
Fson the Beis5-d Gazette
Although not native Of Bedford county
Mr- L0ngenecker has lived here since he va;
fou- years Of sge. he vas born near Mar.
tinsburg. BlaiE county, September l., iss9
and Is therefore noE in his ffiy-ihird year
In IS4S his PARENTS moved 70 S farm neaI
Woodbury., Bedford county. 1t the age Of
IL Mr.. L0ngenecker entered the old ALE.
gbeny seminary at Rzinsburg, where he
took an academic course. He taught dis
tricf schools for several years, acting IS pr;n-
eipal Of the Woodbury. schools for two sss-
siOos. during the latter part Of his stay a;
the seminary be assisted as an instructor.
Upon the outbreak Of the war Nr Long
enecker enlisted as private in Company d,
loist Regiment, Pennsylvanis Volunteers.
On January -, 1862 he was promonted 10
the position Of sergeant = sjor Of the regi-
ment- On May Ist, 1865. he was oommiS-
stoned as second Lieutenant of Company D,
and on the 18th Of the following July he
vas made sdjutant Of The regiment. He
served with the regiment until il was cap
tnred By the Confederstes az Plymouth,
North CarOlina, April 21th. 1854. The rezi-
mental officers were removed 70 the military
prison 81 Macon. Ga, and thence. a few
months later, to Savannah. Subsequently,
fhe- N.~-r-a r.r,sFs.- -..L - :
the prison pens al Charleston and Columbia.
S c, and Charlotte, y. C. 10 February,
1853 Mr. Longenecker made his escape But
bis freedom was Of short duration. he was
captured two weeks later and re-inp-isoued.
AT Wilmington, y. c, on March ., be re
ceived his liberty in an exchange Of prison
ers. and on March IA he was mustered vut
Of the service.
Immediately after his return home Mr..
Longenecker became a lar student in the
Office Of Hon s 5. Blair 81 Hollidayssurg.
II the fall Of that year be entered the law
department Of the Albany Unisersity. On
MAY 5, 1856 be was admitted 70 practice in
the New YORK Supreme Court, aud on Nav
> was graduated from the University. with
the DEGREE Of bachelor Of laws He then
came 10 Bedford to make this place his
home Ond on Sepiember3, 1856, Wa admit
ted 70 the bar Oa the hrst OF April, 1867,
he entered into partnership with Hon 5. L.
Russell partnership that wss maintained
until M Rasseils death some few weeks
ago
In lSGS Mr.. LOngenecks- was elected to
the Legislature from this county, and he
was reelected the following year. In ISIS
be was nominated FOR the ofiics Of district
attorney, but was defeated By F1nk FIetch-
er, Esq. Three years later be sought the
Republican nomination FOR the president
judgship. Fortunately for him, be los; the
prize Hon John Cessna vas nominated
only 10 Be defeated In Iss2 be v.s nomi-
mated FOR the State Senate in the district
composed OF Bedford, Fulton and Somerset
counties Mr.. Reynold. IVES his opponent.
Il Tas very close SIGHT, Mr.. Longeneoker
winning by less than IJ0 r,sjoriiy. When
Charles " stone was made Secretary Of the
Commonwealth II Governor Beavers csbi-
nei II -, he selected Mr.. Longene-ksr as
deputy Secretary. 4 few months before
the close Of Governor Beavers term Mr.
stone resigned to accept q seat il Congress,
and Mr.. L0ngeneeker therelPon became
Secretary Of the Commonwealth, holding the
position until the Beaver administration
came to an end
Mr. Longenecker has always been regarded
as good lawyer, and II is believed that he
bench than at the bar. His personal char
scier is above reprosch, and in every way
he : vel qualified 70 discharge the duties
Of the office which be viii assume in Janu-
srv