San Joaquin County
Biographies
CHARLES C. LONG
CHARLES C. LONG, a native of
Pennsylvania, was born October 20, 1835, in Schuylkill County, Pa., his parents
being Michael and Barbara Long, both natives of Germany. They came to America
in 1828 and settled in Pennsylvania. Michael Long went to work in the coal
mines, and afterward took up a coal claim from the Government, but was unable
to work it because he lacked the means with which to develop it. The mine
afterwards became very valuable. He also took up some land, on which he
remained till his death, which occurred in St. Clair, Schuylkill County, in
1875.
Charles C. was raised on a small farm
until eighteen years of age, when he started to learn the wagon-maker’s trade
with Daniel Crebes, with whom he remained two years, and, being a natural
mechanic and so apt, he became master of the trade in that time. In 1855 he
started for California via the Isthmus, landing in San Francisco after a trip
of forty days, during which they had some accidents, and Mr. Long acted as ship
carpenter, receiving good wages. They offered him $5 to return with the ship in
the same capacity, but not caring for that position he refused. He went to
Sacramento, thence to Stockton, where he went to work at his trade with Mr.
Cory, remaining with him about five months. He then went to the mines in
Siskiyou County, where he stayed eighteen months, then came down to Trinity
County and engaged in mining there for about two years. The mining on the whole
was a success, and he liked the industry very much, but had to give it up on
account of rheumatism. In 1859 he returned to Stockton and started a wagon
shop, which he ran for one year, then sold out, and located 160 acres on the
Calaveras river, about ten miles from Stockton. After four years had elapsed he
sold the place, came down and located 220 acres on the Waterloo road, about
seven miles from town. It was then covered with timber and underbrush, and
to-day it is one of the best improved farms in this county. It is devoted to
the raising of hay, grain and stock.
Mr. Long was married in the fall of 1859,
to Miss Rachel Wildprett, a native of New Orleans. They have seven children
living and two deceased. The living are: Charles M., Barbara, wife of Charles
Lydecker; Lucy, wife of James Main; Frank, Henry, Joseph and Rosa.
The subject is one of our old Californians
and most respected citizens, beloved by his family and respected by all who
know him. He is a member of the Druid Lodge, No. 9, of Stockton, to which he
has belonged twenty years.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 587-588. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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