Frank A. Long

Mayor Frank A. Long, along with F. M. Taylor, president of the Business Men’s Association of Newton, and W. O. McElroy (q. v.), “one of the library trustees and promoters,” succeeded in securing $10,000 for a library building in Newton from Andrew Carnegie, “the Scotch millionaire,” in 1902.  The Newton Herald considered this “[p]erhaps the greatest event in the entire history of Newton.”[1]  Long was born near Walcott, Muscatine County, Iowa, December 12, 1871, the son of Abraham and Nancy Emiline (Mallicoat) Long, natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana, respectively.[2]  In 1885, the Long family came to Newton, where Frank’s father established himself as a grocer.[3]  Frank clerked for Charles P. Axtell, a dry goods merchant in Newton, from 1888 to 1892.[4]  He then entered the grocery business in partnership with his father.[5]  On September 12, 1894, he was united in marriage with Adah Belle Townsend (1870-1932).[6]  They were the parents of two children:  Myron Racy Long (1897-1964) and Gretchen Ruth Gazzo (1904-2005).[7]  Long was elected as a Republican to the City Council in 1897.[8]  In 1899, he was elected Mayor of Newton.[9]  He was re-elected in 1901[10] and 1903[11].  By 1910 the family was living in the city of Dubuque, Iowa.[12]  In 1920, Long was living with his wife and daughter on Kingman Blvd. in Des Moines, Iowa, where he is listed as secretary and sales manager of a manufacturing company.[13]  In 1930, the census worker recorded Long’s occupation as salesman in the automobile industry.  By this time the Longs were renting their home at 1419 33rd St. in Des Moines.[14]  Frank Long died in Redlands, California, November 10, 1949.[15]  Burial was at Hillside Memorial Park in Redlands.[16]  In Newton Long was an ”enthusiastic” member of Knights Templar as assistant manager of the Knights Templar Band.[17]  He was also musically talented in voice, being called upon to sing at funerals.[18]  “He is a gentleman with whom it is a pleasure to transact business, always courteous, always industrious, always trustworthy, always a gentleman in the fullest sense that word implies,” one Newton newspaper said of him.[19]

-Larry Ray Hurto

 

[1] The Newton Herald, January 31, 1902.

[2] Frank A Long in the Iowa, U.S., Births (series) 1880-1904, 1921-1944 and Delayed Births (series), 1856-1940.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170737914/frank-a-long lists his birth year as 1872.

[3] Frank A Long in the Iowa, U.S., State Census Collection, 1836-1925.

[4] Standard Historical Atlas of Jasper County, Iowa (Davenport, IA:  The Huebinger Survey and Map Publishing Co., 1901), p. 48.  This source has him clerking until 1893.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Newton Herald, September 14, 1894.

[7] Frank A Long in the U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current.

[8] Newton Herald, March 5, 1897.  “We hope that Frank Long will take sides with the people and are sorry that Mr. Townsend has not done so,” the paper commented.  “At least four of our councilmen are firm and reliable toward the people’s light plant.  The other two, if the[y] do their worst, can do but little harm.”  Long, as a member of the Streets and Alleys committee, investigated street paving, which came to pass, in Newton.  The Newton Record, June 11, 1897.  Mayor Earley also appointed him to the Cemetery and Health standing committees.  The Newton Journal, March 17, 1897.

[9] The Newton Herald, March 31, 1899.  “The city will be in good hands,” the Herald, which supported the Citizen’s candidate, Robert Burns, conceded.  “Frank Long represents the younger element in politics, a level headed, gentlemanly and progressive business man and one who can be depended on for a good administration.”

[10] Ibid., March 29, 1901.

[11] Ibid., April 3, 1903.

[12] 1910 United States Federal Census.  Long is listed as superintendent of an insurance company.

[13] 1920 United States Federal Census.

[14] 1930 United States Federal Census.  Their daughter, Gretchen, was living next door with her husband, Anthony R. Gazzo, and their daughter, Colleen M. Gazzo.

[15] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170737914/frank-a-long.

[16] Ibid.

[17] The Daily Herald, Newton, IA, January 1, 1903.

[18] See, for example, The Newton Journal, March 21, 1888; May 2, 1888; December 26, 1888; and February 17, 1897.  He also was part of a double mixed quartette that sang at Memorial Day services at Newton Union Cemetery.  Ibid., June 6, 1888.

[19] The Daily Herald, January 1, 1903.