Homer Bradley DeLong

Surnames: Carrier, Child, Pomeroy, Stewart

Regions: Hardwick, Otsego Co., NY; Watertown, Jefferson Co., NY;

Janesville, Rock Co., WI

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis.,

Publ, 1889 - page 260, 261

HOMER BRADLEY DeLONG, dealer in leaf tobacco, established his present business in 1871, and is today the oldest dealer in that line, in point of service, in the city of Janesville. While usually doing an extensive business, his trade varies according to the season. For the year 1888 he handled 1000 cases, or over 300,000 pounds. Mr. DeLONG is a native of Hardwick, Otsego Co., N.Y., born Aug. 12, 1832, and is the son of James and Mary (STEWART) DeLONG, the former a native of France, and the latter of New York. Her father, Stephen STEWART, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The early life of our subject was spent in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N.Y., where the family moved at an early day. Choosing the trade of a mason, he served an apprenticeship and then as a journeyman until 1854, when he came to Janesville, and as a builder and contractor, erected a large number of the most substantial buildings in the city. He followed that occupation until 1871, when he engaged in the sewing machine business, and in buying and shipping tobacco. Until 1875 he carried on both lines of business, but since that time he has engaged exclusively in the tobacco trade. Mr. DeLONG was married in Janesville, July 4, 1855, to Miss Ellen CHILD, a native of Pittsfield, Vt., and daughter of Penual CHILD. Four children have been born to them, three daughters and a son. Isora is now the wife of Wallace M. CARRIER, of Janesville; Lillian C., Flossy H., and Glenn J. are yet inmates of the paternal home. Stirred by a patriotic impulse, in 1864, Mr. DeLONG returned east and enlisted in Company C, 10th New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war, when he returned to Janesville, and has here since made his home and been actively engaged in business. Caring nothing for office, or the honors acquired by official title, he yet takes that interest in political matters that every American citizen should take, and cast his vote with the Republican party. Socially he is a member of Wisconsin Lodge, No. 14, I.O.O.F., and of W. W. Sergeant Post, No. 20, G.A.R. He attends the Unitarian Church, the doctrines of which are most consonant with his views of moral and Christian life. As a citizen he is enterprising and for every measure calculated for the public good which meets his approval, he is willing to do his part. A residence of more than a third of a century in Rock County has made him many friends. Mr. DeLONG erected the first tobacco warehouse in Janesville. Others followed his lead until now there are twenty-three in the city. He was the first to employ girls to sort and put up tobacco in the eastern style. The first season he employed twenty-six; about fifty are now employed during the season. When he started in business, W. H. POMEROY, who has since left the business, was the oldest dealer in tobacco here. Mr. DeLONG now has that honor.

Submitted by Carol