THE GUY FROM ALLEGHENY – PART 2
Last month discussed Colonel William Frew Long’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, background. The story picks up from there, in 1920, when Colonel Long moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to take the position of general manager of the American Plan Association of Cleveland.
Apart from his time in the military during World War II, Colonel Long served in this capacity until his retirement in 1949. (The company name changed to Associated Industries of Cleveland in 1930; and, today, is known as Employees Resource Council). Colonel Long was recalled to active service in 1941, serving as civilian personnel relations officer. In 1944 he became the general manager of the National War Labor Board. After the war he resumed his civilian responsibilities.
During this time Colonel Long began acquiring land in a rural area, then Macedonia township. Initially purchasing seventy-five acres around 1924, plans were to build a summer “get-away” cottage for himself and his wife. Additions were made to the cottage after Colonel Long’s retirement to become their permanent residence, and this is the Manor house as it is known today.
Around 1950 Colonel Long became involved with Macedonia government. He was appointed to the Macedonia Township Board of Zoning Appeals in 1952, eventually becoming Chairman. His work with Township affairs resulted in the reincorporation of Macedonia to Village status in 1962, and City status in 1971 (Macedonia, a Village starting in 1905, reverted to Township status in 1937 most likely due to the economic times). Colonel Long was elected full-time Mayor of Macedonia in 1962. He was re-elected twice more, serving a total of twelve years. At 96 he was the oldest active Mayor in the United States. He chose not to run a fourth time. He lived four more years at Longwood Manor, moving to Hudson Elms in Hudson, Ohio, around his 100th birthday. Colonel Long passed away January 7th, 1984, at the age of 103.
Was there a Mrs Long? Actually, twice. Colonel Long’s first marriage was to Martha Ertzman, from 1898 to 1923. They had one son, William Jr (1901-1986). His second marriage was to Isabel Patterson (1887-1956) in 1936. After Isabel Long’s passing in 1956, Colonel Long did not remarry. Except for William Jr there were no other children.
Longwood Manor Open House tours will resume on Sunday, March 26th, 2023, from 1pm until 4pm.
We look forward to your visits.
In the meantime, you can follow LMHS activities on our website, www.longwoodmanor.org,
and the LMHS Facebook page.
Thank you for your support of Longwood Manor and the Longwood Manor Historical Society.
We can’t do it without you.
