Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-30
JOHN D:;='L0NG, FORMER GOV.
MASSACHUSETTS AND ONCE
SECRETARY OF Navy DEAD
Born at Buckfeld, Maine, Started His Education
There and Was There When Stricken
by Last Illness

which he became a school teacher in
the Chase district, then at South Hill
the old school building where Mrs.
Holman has laid the scene Of several
of her poems. But he found that teach
ing school was not a profession which
would enable him to attain a compe-
a life among books. He became a clerk
| in one Of the village stores and later
went into business with a capital of
$50 He married and built the house in
which John D. Long was born.
At the age of So he retired from bus
mess with a competency which permit
ted him to lead literary life He took
an active interest in public affairs, and
was defeated only by small plurality
| for seat in Congress on the Wing
ticket.
Lived the Life Of q Farmer Boy
John D. Long grew up a strong,
healthy boy under the watchful care
OF loving mother and the intellec-
tual guidance OF gifted father. He
lived the life of a farmers bow in all
but the work which ordinarily falls to
the lot Of lad born on a farm. He
did some work, to be sure. but mot
enough to hurt him. SO the neigh
bors declared. He was the son Of
gentleman farmer. who was ambitious
that his son should make his mark in
| fields other than manual or agricul-
tural
Early in life the boy gave promise
of traits which delighted his parents.
He was An apt student and d love:
of books,
| When years old he was sent to the
district school and made rapid pro-
gress. He soon mastered all the
studies at this school and was trans
ferred to the more pretentious schools
, in Buckfeld. Under the tuition of his
father he soon became proficient in
Greek and Latin. and at the age OF
l3 was admitted to the Academy Of
Hebron. Me-. high grade prepara-
! tory school. At this institute his prin-
clpal was Mark H. Dunnell. subse-
quently member of Congress from
Minnesota district. Mr.. Dunnell did
not find it necessary to chastise or
discipline the young student. The rec
| ords at Hebron Academy show that
John D. Long was one of the best pu-
pills ever admitted to its halls. He
fitted himself in such studies as we're
necessary for his admission to Har.
ward University
| Oh MS retirement to private life.
after having been Governor Of Mass
achusetts, he at once took up his law
| practice in the firm of Long &, Hemen-
way. Of which he is the senior MEM
Der He has oftentimes remarked that
ne was happiest when not in politics.
While stunning the activities Of his
earlier life he has been actively inter-
ested in the work Of the temperance
movement and the maintenance of a
strict Sabbath day. One Of his last
presentations to the LEGISLATURE was
bill, introduced in 1908, seeking to
fine persons who work unnecessarily
on the Lords Day.
Ex-Governor Long was president of
the Puritan Trust Company, president
| OF the board of overseers Harvard
Coilege; president Of the Massachu-
sets Total Abstinence Society, men,
Der Of the Massachusetts Historical
Society. fellow American Academy
Arts and Sciences, several times pres
ident Of the Unitarian Club.
| The Longs were the most important
people in the farming country ada
cent to Buckfeld They were regard
ed as rich by the plain farmer folk
who occupied the adjacent lands. Ia
doc Long owned the big farm, the ho-
tel in Buckfield and several other pie.
ces Of property, and also a library.
1t is possible that he might have
scheduled $4,000 worth Of lands and
property. and this was wealth beyond
the dreams Of avarice in those DAYS
and in that locality.