Biography - George Longenbaugh
GEORGE W. LONGENBAUGH is one of the old settlers in Pickaway Township, being the owner of a farm located on section 20, at Longenbaugh corners. He early learned the trade of a blacksmith and on his settlement here established his smithy in the fall of 1858. He owns a fine little home on forty acres of land. This he operates in connection with his business. He is a genial, whole-hearted fellow, necessarily well-known throughout the township, and justly popular with his fellow-men.
Our subject first came to the county in 1855, and for two years worked as a journeyman at Prairie Bird, and later he spent a little more than a year with a partner in Moweaqua. He sold out however, his share of the establishment, and came to Pickaway Township and has here ever since been engaged, having done all the work in his line. On his advent into this county our subject was a single man. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio. October 21, 1834, and is the son of Jacob and Catherine (Yantis) Longenbaugh, natives of Ohio, who there lived and spent their last days in Pickaway County, passing away at the age of sixty-eight years. Our subject's father, like himself, was a blacksmith and fanner. Mrs. Longenbaugh was a member of the German Reformed Church.
Our subject is the second son and third child of seven children, four of whom are yet living, he of whom we write being the only one residing in Illinois. He grew up at home, learning his trade at his father's smithy. About the time when he became of age he determined to start out in life for himself and came to this State, where he has ever since lived. Politically our subject is a Democrat, using his vote and influence for that party. He has since coming here, been Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace for a good many years, and is now Notary Public, having filled that office for several years.
Our subject was married in Flat Branch Township, March 11, 1858, to Miss Eliza Cockrain. She was born in Tennessee and came to Illinois when a young woman with her parents. Robert and Mary (Ray) Cockrain. On coming to the county they settled in Flat Branch Township, there procuring a farm, where a few years later the husband and father died while yet in middle life. His wife survived him for several years, finally passing away on the old farm, being quite advanced in years. They were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Longenbaugh was one of eight children, three of whom are now deceased, she was educated in her native State in the county schools, and had almost reached womanhood when her parents removed to Illinois. She and her husband are attendants upon the Baptist Church.
Eight children have come to bless the home of the affectionate parents. Of these one died in infancy. The living children are: Mary C., Sophronia J., and Samuel, who are twins. Anthony B., Sarah E., William W. and Joseph E. The eldest daughter is the wife of Charles Pogue, who is a farmer in this township. Samuel is a blacksmith at Prairie Bird. His twin sister, Sophronia, is the wife of Robert Hunter, who is a real estate dealer and insurance agent in Decatur, this State. Anthony B. took to wife Miss Julia Pogue, and is the proprietor of a farm in this township. Sarah E. is a teacher here, as have been the other daughters before their marriage. William W. and Joseph E. are still at home and assist their father on the farm. Our subject has given his children every educational advantage that his means would allow. They are naturally bright and easily assimilate the progressive ideas of the day.
Extracted 05 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 192-193.
