Long, James D. 1875-1950, Marion’s First Fire Chief

James D. Long was an early City Marshall, Marion Chief of Police and according his obituary, the first Fire Chief of Marion. He was born on June 17, 1875 in University City, Tennessee to Arthur R. Long and Louise E. Warren.

Five years after James’ birth, the 1880 census found the Long family living in Stewarts, Kentucky. His father, Arthur, was listed as a mechanic. The entire family was, oddly enough, only listed by initials, but it was clear enough to know that James had an older sister with the initials J.D, 11, and an older brother G.W., aged 7. His father and mother were 31 and 32 years old respectively.

In the 1900 census, the family had changed considerably, the mother, Louise, is now widowed and they are living in St. Charles, Kentucky. The older siblings are no longer in the home as 20 years has passed, but two new siblings are present. The children now present are James D. Long, 24, Ernest Long, 17, and Joseph Long age 15. This youngest child, born in 1885, would narrow the father’s death down to the last 15 years and make James D. Long the only bread winner for the family. He was listed as a coal miner and the only one employed.

According to his obituary, he came to Marion from Kentucky and worked in the mines for one year. Also, that he was Chief of Police in Marion for 6 years and later became Marion’s first Fire Chief. I have found out that obits aren’t always accurate, so I will point out what I’ve found that is solid.

A reference in the 1905 Souvenir History book, written in 1904, indicated that James Long was the Assistant City Marshall for Marion under the hand of James V. Grider, Marshall. Also, a 1907 Marion directory indicates that for that year, James D. Long was Police Chief and lived at 207 W. College St.

From there, the next historical reference found on him was the 1910 census.

The family in the 1910 census was living at 209 W. College Street, a heavily populated area in that time, unlike today. James was 34 at this time and still looking after his widowed mother, Louise, who was then 62 and his younger brother Joseph, who was then 24 and working as a book keeper for a wholesale food house.

James’ occupation in the 1910 census listed him as Chief of city fire department. If Long became Police Chief in 1905 he would have six years before becoming Fire Chief in 1910, so the math does work out.

Unfortunately, I could not locate Long in the 1920 census or his mother’s death, but I am fairly certain that she passed in this period, giving James a chance to start a life of his own. According to his obit, he married Miss Maude Brandon at Murphysboro in 1926 and she died the following year, in 1927, no children were listed in his obit.

By the 1930 census, James, 54, is paying $50 a month to rent a building located at 100 N. 14th Street in Herrin, Illinois. He was operating a hotel and café and had 4 lodgers. His obituary indicated that he owned and operated a hotel/café in Herrin called the Jefferson Hotel and Café.

The depression must have been cruel to his business because by 1935, he had moved to 111 S. Franklin and was renting a place for $5 per month. This was likely a small, second floor apartment in the building off the southeast corner of the square where Speeds Bus Stop, the American Legion and Chick’s Tavern have all been located.

In the 1940 census, he was in the same location, 64 years old and listed himself as a night watchman at a warehouse, which coincides with his obituary stating that he had a job working in a Kroger warehouse at Carbondale.

The only unresolved piece of Long’s life mentioned in his obituary was the statement, “He was employed by the Iron Mountain Railroad as a special officer for seven years.” I presume that this was a security job and research on the Iron Mountain Railroad indicated that it was pretty much done by 1900 so this was likely a job he took in his youth before coming to Marion. Perhaps this was the job experience he gained to go into early law enforcement.

James D. Long of Marion passed away Sunday, June 25, 1950, at 1:30 p.m. at the age of 75.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Frick Funeral Home by Rev. O.H. Sweitzer. The Elks Lodge of which he was a member had charge of the ceremony.

Burial followed in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Sam’s Notes: Rose Hill Cemetery burial records indicate that James D. Long is buried next to his youngest brother Joseph W. Long who died June 3, 1960. Next to his brother is an Evelyn Long, presumably Joseph’s wife who died in August 1972.

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(Extracted from Marion Daily Republican obit, June 26, 1950; Federal Census Records; 1905 Souvenir History; 1907 Marion City Directory; Marion City Cemetery Records; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 01/22/2014)

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