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"Spokane and The Spokane Country - Pictorial and Biographical - Deluxe Supplement." Vol. II. The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1912. (No author listed.) pgs. 116-118.
On the life history of J. Grier Long is found a refutation of the too
generally accepted statement that American business men are so engrossed in
the spirit of commercialism that no time nor opportunity is left for
cooperation in the broader themes and more vital activities which touch the
interests of society at large. While president of The Washington Trust Company
and therefore one of the most prominent factors in financial circles in
Spokane, Mr. Long has done equally effective work for the moral and social
uplift of his fellowmen, holding ever firmly to the theory that each
individual should be given the opportunity of bettering himself. It is due to
the fact that he has wisely used his time and opportunities, that he has
reached his present position. He was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania,
December 4, 1861, and son of John F. G. and Frances (Gallagher) Long. The
father, who devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, died in 1903, while his
wife passed away in 1900.
J. Grier Long pursued his education in the Tuscarora Academy of
Pennsylvania, and in the Washington and Jefferson College near Pittsburg,
being graduated from he latter with the A. B. degree in 1887. In the interval
between these academic and collegiate courses he engaged in teaching in the
public schools of his native state for five years and following his graduation
gain engaged in teaching for three years. In 1891 he arrived in Spokane and
has since been a representative of financial interests here, becoming
identified originally with The Pennsylvania Mortgage Investment Company, of
which he was made manager n 1896. In 1902, associated with Messrs. Webster and
Connelly he organized The Washington Trust Company, of which he has since been
he president and active manager. This is today one of the most progressive of
Spokane's banks and is growing rapidly. The same gentlemen also organized the
Union Park Bank and the Union Savings Bank in 1902, and of these Mr. Long is
likewise the president. He is also the president of the Washington National
Life Insurance Company which has been recently organized. His success is
attributable in no small measure to the fact that he has ability to coordinate
forces and ring seemingly diverse elements into harmonious whole. He seems to
see from the outset the possibilities for accomplishment and ever sets his
mark high, striving constantly to bring his institutions to that level.
Mr. Long is also a very active republican and is now serving for the
third term as a member of the school board. He was one of the committee of
fifteen appointed to prepare the new city charter that was adopted at the time
the city took on the commission form of government. He is always loyal to his
obligations of citizenship, recognizing the duties as well as the privileges
of each individual in this connection, and his efforts have ever been of the
practical and resultant form, which has characterized his business activities.
On the 10th of October, 1895, Mr. Long was united in marriage to Miss
Maude G. Sorter, a daughter of Albert and Louise Sorter of this city. They
have three children, Lloyd, Frances Louise and James Grier, the eldest being
now a high-school pupil. Mr. Long is well known in fraternal and club circles
of this city, belonging to the Knights of Pythias and to Spokane Lodge, No.
74, F. & A. M. He likewise holds membership in the Spokane Club, the Spokane
Country Club and the University Club, and is in hearty sympathy with the
progressive movements of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is also a
representative. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church and for twenty-one
years has served as an elder. Twice he has represented his church in the
general assembly, in the meeting held in Minneapolis, in 1899, and again in
Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1910. He is a director of the San Francisco
Theological Seminary and has been very actively associated with every movement
to better social conditions in Spokane, feeling that every man and woman
should be given an opportunity for advancement. He realizes, as few men have
done, the obligations and responsibilities of wealth and is ever ready to
extend a helping hand to one who is willing to help himself. In is
investigation of political, economic and sociological conditions he keeps
breast with the best thinking men of the age, striving to promote even-handed
justice and recognizing the principle which is the basic element of modern
civilization-the brotherhood of man.
Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton
* * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individuals featured in the biographies.