- HOMER BRADLEY DeLONG, dealer in leaf tobacco, established
his present business in 1871,
- and is today the oldest dealer in that line, in point of
service, in the city of Janesville. While usually doing an extensive
business, his trade varies according to the season. For the year
1888 he handled 1000 cases, or over 300,000 pounds.
- Mr. DeLONG is a native of Hardwick, Otsego Co., N.Y., born
Aug. 12, 1832, and is the son of
- James and Mary (STEWART) DeLONG, the former a native of France,
and the latter of New York. Her father, Stephen STEWART, was
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The early life of our subject
was spent in Watertown, N.Y., where the family moved at an early
day. Choosing the trade of a mason, he served an apprenticeship
and then as a journeyman until 1854, when he came to Janesville,
and as a builder and contractor, erected a large number of the
most substantial buildings in the city. He followed that occupation
until 1871, when he engaged in the sewing machine business, and
in buying and shipping tobacco. Until 1875 he carried on both
lines of business, but since that time he has engaged exclusively
in the tobacco trade.
- Mr. DeLONG was married in Janesville, July 4, 1855, to Miss
Ellen CHILD, a native of Pittsfield,
- Vt., and daughter of Penual CHILD. Four children have been
born to them, three daughters and a son. Isora is now the wife
of Wallace M. CARRIER, of Janesville; Lillian C., Flossy H.,
and Glenn J. are yet inmates of the paternal home.
- Stirred by a patriotic impulse, in 1864, Mr. DeLONG returned
east and enlisted in Company C,
- 10th New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the close
of the war, when he returned to Janesville, and has here since
made his home and been actively engaged in business. Caring nothing
for office, or the honors acquired by official title, he yet
takes that interest in political matters that every American
citizen should take, and cast his vote with the Republican party.
Socially he is a member of Wisconsin Lodge, No. 14, I.O.O.F.,
and of W. W. Sergeant Post, No. 20, G.A.R. He attends the Unitarian
Church, the doctrines of which are most consonant with his views
of moral and Christian life. As a citizen he is enterprising
and for every measure calculated for the public good which meets
his approval, he is willing to do his part. A residence of more
than a third of a century in Rock County has made him many friends.
Mr. DeLONG erected the first tobacco warehouse in Janesville.
Others followed his lead until now there are twenty-three in
the city. He was the first to employ girls to sort and put up
tobacco in the eastern style. The first season he employed twenty-six;
about fifty are now employed during the season. When he started
in business, W. H. POMEROY, who has since left the business,
was the oldest dealer in tobacco here. Mr. DeLONG now has that
honor.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 260-261.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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