Aaron Long, a valued member of the farming community of Silver Creek Township, has a fine estate on section 15, where he devotes his attention largely to stock-raising. His farm embraces 140 acres and has first-class improvements. He has been a resident of Stephenson County since May, 1849, coming here with his parents when a child four years of age, and with the exception of seven years spent in Freeport, in the Chicago Bakery, he has resided in Silver Creek Township ever since. Our subject first drew breath in Dauphin County, Pa., July 10, 1845. His father, Joseph Long, a native of the same county, descended from excellent Pennsylvania stock which had settled in that locality prior to the Revolutionary War. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Dr. Henry Long, was a fine representative of the old family and spent his entire life in the Keystone State. He was a physician of more than ordinary merit and built up a large and lucrative practice in Dauphin County and vicinity. His wife, formerly Miss Margaret Welch, survived him, and after his death came to this State, spending her last days at the home of Joseph Long, in Silver Creek Township. Her death occurred Jan. 10, 1854. Joseph Long was the youngest in a family of three children and was reared in his native county. There also he married Miss Mary A. Whitman, a native of the same county and of similar descent as himself. Five or six years after marriage they came to Illinois, making the journey overland with horse-teams and being five weeks on the road. The father of our subject purchased a small farm in Silver Creek Township which he occupied for a time and afterward sold, and purchased a larger tract on section 15, where he built up a good homestead and spent the remainder of his days, folding his hands for his final rest Sept. 21, 1874, when about fifty-six years of age. The mother survives and makes her home in Freeport. She is now about sixty-three years of age, and a lady greatly beloved by her family and friends. She, with her husband, in early life united with the German Reformed Church. Aaron Long, our subject, was the eldest of ten children born to his parents, four sons and six daughters. Two of the sons and two of the daughters are now deceased. Aaron received his education in Silver Creek Township and afterward took a course in the High School at Mt. Morris, Ogle County. Subsequently he engaged in teaching about three years, and remained a member of his father's household until his marriage. This most important event in his life and which had much to do in shaping his future career, was celebrated in Silver Creek Township, Jan. 1, 1871. The lady of his choice, Miss Frances Kuenneth, was a native of the Province of Bavaria in Germany, where she was born in 1846. Her parents, Adam and Catherine (Meisel) Kuenneth, were natives of Bavaria, whence they emigrated to the United States in July, 1862, and settled in this county. The father died in Freeport in about 1876, and the mother is still living there. The household circle of our subject and his wife was completed by the birth of seven children, all living and at home, namely: Aaron Edward, Ann E., Rosa C., Emma C., Lily C., Mildred F. and Luella May. Mr. and Mrs. Long were reared in the doctrines of the German Reformed Church, to which they still loyally adhere. Mr. L. has been quite prominent in local affairs, holding the various offices of the township, and is now Town Clerk and Treasurer of the School Board. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 67e