Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Source: Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan Chicago; Lewis Pub. Co., 1895 p. 12-14 MEMORIAL RECORD J. M. LONGYEAR. - It has been said that the study of biography yields to no other point of interest and profit; and while it is true that all biographies, and more especially those of successful men, have much in common on account of winning prosperity by overcoming the obstacles and difficulties in their path, yet life sketches of no two individuals are alike. From the history of Mr. LONGYEAR we may learn much that is inspiring and encouraging, for he owes his present emi- nent position entirely to his own exertions and his honor and inte- grity. He is a most illustrious prototype of the self-made man; a tireless worker, presevering and industrious, and with an untarnished name and an unapproachable reputation which has made him honored by his fellow-citizens and revered by his many friends. Mr. LONGYEAR is numbered among the native sons of Michigan, for his birth occurred in Lansing on the 15th of April, 1850. His parents, JOHN W. and HARRIET (MUNRO) LONGYEAR, were both natives of New York, the father of Alsatian ancestry, while the mother's people were of Scotch lineage. Both families were established in America at a very early day in the history of this country, and four brothers of the LONGYEAR family were soldiers of the Revolution. The great-grand- father on the maternal side was also one of the heroes in the war for independence, and members of the family participated in the war of 1812. They were generally farming people who carried on agricultural pursuits in New England and the East. The LONGYEAR family was first established in Ulster county, New York, about 1730. The father of our subject was a lawyer by profession, being admitted to the bar in Jack- son county, Michigan, whither he had removed in the early '40s. He practiced in the courts of the Lower Peninsula and became a prominent man, being sent by his district to Congress in 1862, and again in 1864. He was a delegate to the Loyalist Convention in 1866, at Phila- delphia, and a member of the Michigan Contsitutional Convention in 1867, and at the time of his death was Judge of the United States District Court of the Eastern district, of Michigan, to which position he was appointed in 1869. His death occurred in 1875, and his widow, who still survives him, is yet living, in the city of Lansing. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are living, namely: JOHN M., Dr. HOWARD W., of Detroit, Mich., and IDA S. J. M. LONGYEAR spent the greater part of his boyhood days in the city of his birth and acquired his early education in its public schools. He afterward attended Olivet College, also Georgetown College, of the District of Columbia. He was only fifteen years of age when he left school, broken down in health, so that he was unable to engage actively in any work for some years. The year 1872 was largely spent in the woods in the Lower Peninsula, and the outdoor life proved very beneficial, building up a vigorous constitution. The following year he located in Marquette, Michigan, and began examining lands and exploring, and few were the wild tracks in Michigan of which he knew nothing. He traveled all over the State, wherever business called him, examining lands both for himself and other people. In 1879 he purchased large tracts of both timber and mineral lands and has ever since been extensively engaged in dealing in wild land. He is an excellent judge of such property, and quickly and correctly estimates the benefit it will give, and in his dealings he has been extremely successful, attaining a prosperity that is far beyond ex- pectations. A boy may sometimes dream of the time when he will be a wealthy man, but in the early days Mr. LONGYEAR had no expectations of acquiring the thousands which he to-day possesses. He is now the owner of thousands of acres of valuable wild and mineral land, besides owning a vast amount of real estate in Marquette. There are many enterprises of importance which have been brought forward in the Upper Peninsula and placed upon a paying basis that owe at least a part of their prosperity to Mr. LONGYEAR. He is now a stockholder int he Lake Shore Iron Works, and its president; a director in the First National Bank of Marquette, a member of the Bice Manufacturing Company; a stockholder in various land companies, and many other enterprises which have been the means of building up the northern Peninsula, adding to the material welfare and promoting its upbuilding and advancement. He is also interested in the Marquette Opera House. Charles Sumner said in one of his brilliant orations, "Peace hath its victories more renowned than those of war;" and surely the life of Mr. LONGYEAR has been a victorious one. We honor the man who leads forth an army to battle for a principle or a cause, and why should we withhold our tribute of praise from one who leads forth a host of his fellow men to the pursuits of honest toil, giving them the means of livlihood and making self-respecting and honorable citizens. In public office Mr. LONGYEAR has proved his loyalty. He was elected Mayor of the City of Marquette in 1890, re-elected in 1891, and during his administration carried forward the work of improvement with rapid strides. He is a member of the Board of Control of the Michigan Mining School, and is a life member of the Masonic frater- nity. In 1879 Mr. LONGYEAR was joined in wedlock with Miss MARY H. BEECHER, and they have five children, - ABBY, HOWARD, HELEN, JUDITH and JACK. Their home is one of the most beautiful and costly resi- dences in the Upper Peninsula. The work of building was begun in 1890 and completed in 1892. This palatial home is built of stone, lined with a surface brick, and the grounds cover an area of about 300x500 feet. These premises are almost on the edge of Lake Superior, com- manding a beautiful view of the water and surrounding country, and there with his family Mr. LONGYEAR spends many delightful hours. He also spends considerable time in travel abroad and finds in his visits to the old countries one of his chief sources of recreation and pleasure. His success seems most marvelous, but it has come to him not from propitious circumstances, but as the reward for far-sighted dealing, executive ability and keen discrimination. With a laudable ambition he has grasped eagerly every opportunity for raising himself up to the level of the high standard which he has set up, and his re- solute purpose and commendable diligence have attained the goal of his hopes. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more information about Marquette County, Michigan by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/mi/marquette/ ===========================================================================