Edwin Marion Long came into his trade by inheritance, having been the son of a master carpenter, William E. Long and Mary Ann Slonaker Long. He was born in a log cabin in Monroe Township (Harrison County) on May 17, 1851, and died January 17, 1940. E.M. Long attended school until the age of 13 and then apprenticed with his father until the age of 18 when he became a foreman. His grandfather was also a master carpenter.
Other buildings were the Harrison County Children’s Home and adjacent buildings 1889-90; Harrison County Court House 1893-94, Wood & Wright building (Western Auto) 1897, Franklin College (Franklin Museum) New Athens 1900, Harrison County Home 1905, Union National Bank (across from the courthouse) 1906, General Custer Hotel and Long Theater 1924-25. He also built many fine homes, schoolhouses, barns, covered bridges, a Johnson octagon barn and many other structures.
E. M. Long. Photo submitted.
E.M. Long helped create a lot of Harrison County history. He also had a Studebaker Dealership and “Garage, Automobile Tires and Accessories” on Lincoln Avenue across from his lumber yard. It was an impressive building with a storage capacity for about 75 cars on the main floor. It had a nicely furnished ladies restroom with toilet room, open grate, and hot and cold running water. This was a convenience not to be found in the ordinary garage.
The third and current Harrison County Home was constructed by E.M. Long and was finished and accepted by the commissioners in October 1906. E.M. Long’s motto was “True Greatness is to Serve”. A photo of E.M. Long hung above the fireplace in the lobby in the General Custer Hotel. It was placed there by his son Alfred as a tribute to his dad. That hotel was the last building to be construct by E. M. Long.
E. M. Long is third from the right and the lady placing the time capsule in the General Custer Hotel is his daughter Ida Smith. Photo submitted.
