One of the prominent and successful farmers of Webster county, Mo., was born in Columbus, Ohio, August 3, 1824, being the son of William and Rebecca M. Long. Matthew Long received his educational training in the public schools of Columbus, and at Central College, of that county. At the age of eleven years he entered the treasurer's office of Franklin county, and for six years was deputy county treasurer and collector under his father, spending his winters in the office and his summers in school. He was a clerk in the bookstore of Whiting & Huntington. He sold his interest in the store and purchased a farm in Licking county, and for ten years followed agricultural pursuits on the farm. In 1863 he removed to Iowa county, Iowa, where he continued farming for ten years. Five years of that time he was president of the Iowa County Agricultural Society. He is a Republican in his political views, and represented Iowa and Poweshiek counties in the State Senate for a term of four years, to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In 1873 he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where for twelve years he was secretary of the State Insurance Company, and under his management it was very successful. In 1884 Mr. Long resigned his position with the State Insurance Company to accept the secretary ship of the Southern California Insurance Company, at Los Angeles, Cal., where he was equally successful. Mrs. Long was born in New Jersey, November 6, 1821. Four children were born to the union. He is a Presbyterian, but as there is no church of his faith in Marshfield, he is now connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the representative men of this portion of Missouri.

One of the prominent and successful farmers of Webster county, Mo., was born in Columbus, Ohio, August 3, 1824, being the son of William and Rebecca M. Long. Matthew Long received his educational training in the public schools of Columbus, and at Central College, of that county. At the age of eleven years he entered the treasurer's office of Franklin county, and for six years was deputy county treasurer and collector under his father, spending his winters in the office and his summers in school. He was a clerk in the bookstore of Whiting & Huntington. He sold his interest in the store and purchased a farm in Licking county, and for ten years followed agricultural pursuits on the farm. In 1863 he removed to Iowa county, Iowa, where he continued farming for ten years. Five years of that time he was president of the Iowa County Agricultural Society. He is a Republican in his political views, and represented Iowa and Poweshiek counties in the State Senate for a term of four years, to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In 1873 he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where for twelve years he was secretary of the State Insurance Company, and under his management it was very successful. In 1884 Mr. Long resigned his position with the State Insurance Company to accept the secretary ship of the Southern California Insurance Company, at Los Angeles, Cal., where he was equally successful. Mrs. Long was born in New Jersey, November 6, 1821. Four children were born to the union. He is a Presbyterian, but as there is no church of his faith in Marshfield, he is now connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the representative men of this portion of Missouri.