Thos. J. Long Dies Here Early Sunday Morning
[photo of Thos. J. Long 2 columns over]

Thos. J. Long, former mayor and city commissioner of Chehalis, who also served twenty years as a county commissioner of Lewis county in this rock-ribbed republican county, despite the fact that he was a democrat politically, died at the family home in west Chehalis early Sunday morning. He came here nearly sixty years ago. He had been ill the past two or three years and his death was not unexpected. Mr. Long was born at Council Bluffs, Ia., 67 years ago and came to Lewis county with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Long, as a ten year old lad. His father and mother and a large family of brothers and sisters preceded him in death long since, he being the last of a family that was perhaps as widely known as any other in this county. One brother, J. H. Long, who was a republican in politics, was Lewis county's first state senator following the admission of Washington to statehood. The Long family originally located at Claquato, three miles west of Chehalis. Later Tom Long, as he was familiarly known to his friends, farmed for many years near Curtis, where he owned one of the largest tracts in that district. Afterwards he was in the mercantile business for a time on lower State street, but most of his life in the county was spent on the farm until he moved to Chehalis after retiring from a active work some years ago. He was a life member of Chehalis B. P. O. Elks Lodge No. 1374 and of the Chehalis Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Long is survived by his widow, Mrs. Minnie S. Long; three sons, Thomas W. Long of Ceres, Walter F. Long of Chehalis and Dewey Long of La Center; two daughters, Mrs. Geo. C. Elkins and Mrs. Stanley Montgomery of Chehalis; and sixteen granchildren.

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Thos. J. Long Dies Here Sunday Morning (continued from page 1.)

The body was removed to the Sticklin mortuary, where funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon under auspices of the Elks' lodge. Burial was at Claquato.

There was a large attendance at the Sticklin Mortuary Tuesday afternoon at Mr. Long's funeral. There wre many floral tributes. The Elks lodge was in charge of the services. Harry Power acting as exalted ruler. A. E. Judd delivered the eulogy on behalf of the lodge and there were musical selections by Mr. and Mrs. George R. Brower. Mayor John West, City Commissioners E. McBroom and C. E. Sonnemann and County Commissioners M. J. Rarey, Frank Martin and Geo. W. Literal were honorary pall bearers. Active pall bearers were James McClure, J. R. Imus, J. M. Jensen, C. Ellington, Fred Allen and John Lindner. Burial was at Claquato.

Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, 23 October 1931, Front page and page 4. Microfilm available at Washington State Library, 6880 Capitol Boulevard South, Tumwater, WA. 98512

Transcribed by Kathryn Lester. She has no further information on this individual.