"Rev. J. C. LONG is a son of John C. and Matilda (SANDERS) Long, and was born
February 26, 1842.
The father was a native of Tennessee, and after living in Alabama and Kentucky, came to this State during its early history, locating where Huntsville now is. He was one of the first grocers in the place, and also engaged in farming and stock raising. He died in the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
The mother was born in Alabama, and was a sister of C. B. SANDERS (see sketch). After the death of her first husband she married Thomas McCHRISTIAN. To her first union eleven children were born, eight of whom reached maturity, six now living, four residing in this county and two in California.
Our subject remained at home with his mother, acquiring his education by hard personal effort.
When the war broke out he enlisted in Company E, Third Arkansas, Walker's State troops, and after serving three months entered the Confederate service in Company A, McIntosh's regiment. He afterward joined Gordan's regiment, where he remained throughout the war. He was captured during Price's raid, and held a prisoner eight months.
Returning home, he settled on the farm which he now owns, living there until 1880, with the exception of a year spent in the mercantile line at Huntsville, during which time he also served as sheriff for two terms.
In 1881 he was licensed to preach in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in 1885 was ordained. He now has charge, under orders, of seven churches, and is preaching for eight. He is a successful farmer, owns 200 acres of good land one mile from Huntsville, and 100 acres at the Lake.
July 22, 1884, he married Miss C. T. SKAGGS, who was born in the county in 1847, on February 24. This union has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are living: Thomas G., George B., William C., Arthur K., Hill, infant (deceased), Laura and John C.
Mr. Long has always been a Democrat, is a Royal Arch Mason, and an enterprising citizen. His wife is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church." (Goodspeeds' History of Northwest Arkansas...)
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William A. Skaggs, farmer and stock raiser, of Liberty Township, is a native of Wayne County, Tenn, where he was born in 1821 being a son of Mastin and Lucy (Abbott) Skaggs, who were born, reared and married in Virginia, and about 1818 came to Wayne County Tenn. About 1828 they removed to Weakley County, of that state, and a year later came to what is now Camden County, Mo. where they lived until 1841, and then took up their abode near Waynesville where the father died in 1863 and the mother in 1844, They were worthy tillers of the soil, and were among the early pioneers of Missouri, coming to the state when the country was almost a wilderness, inhabited by Indians and wild animals, and throughout their career improved several good farms. The grandfather was Jacob Skaggs a German, who died in Tennessee. William A. Skaggs is the second of eight children, and was reared to manhood on different farms in Missouri. At the age of twenty-three years he began farming for himself and the following year was married to Susanna, a daughter of Jesse Dean who was formerly of Tennessee, where Mrs. Skaggs was born, but came to Pulaski County, Mo., about 1836 where he spent the remainder of his days. His wife who died in s1866, became the mother of three sons: Mastin, Jesse (deceased) and Jacob. Since 1849 Mr. Skaggs has lived in Liberty Township, where he owns a fine farm of 411, all the result of his own labors and good management. He was engaged in merchandising in Swedeborg about one year, but the greater portion of his life has been spent in farming. He has been a Democrat all his life, and his first presidential vote was cast for Polk in 1844. He has served as Justice of the peace six years and many years has been a member of the Baptist Church. His present wife, whom he married in 1868, and whose maiden name was Margaret Hibbs, is also a member of the Baptist Church, her people coming to this county in 1841. Mr. Skaggs served four years in the late war in the Confederate army, under Gen. Price, in Company I, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, operating in Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee, and was a participant in the battles of Des Arc, Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge, Deep River, and many minor engagements. He was with Price on his famous raid through Missouri, and November 1, 1864, was captured and taken to St. Louis, thence to Alton, and afterward to Rock Island, Ill. Here he was released May 20, 1856. He was captured in Kansas with Gen. Marmaduke and eighty-three of his men.