DeLONG

 WILLIAM F. De LONG  No one is more universally esteemed in this county than he whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He is agent for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Rockdale, where he is also the owner of the Rockdale Hotel and Postmaster of the place.  Notwithstanding the prominent position which he holds among the citizens of his township, he is one of the most unostentatious of men, and is very popular, justly meriting the high esteem in which he is held.

  The subject of this sketch is a native of this county, and was born November 30, 1845.  He is the son of Solomon and Sally De Long, the latter of whom is deceased.  The former, who resides in Allentown, has passed his threescore years and ten.  Grandfather De Long was an old resident of Lowhill Township, while his father was prominently identified with the upbuilding of North Whitehall Township.

  William F., of this sketch, lived with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he began railroading, and filled his position in such a satisfactory manner that he was soon promoted to be assistant agent at Rockdale.  In 1883, when his brother, A. W., who was agent at this place, moved to Allentown, he was appointed to fill the vacancy.  In 1868 he established the Rockdale Hotel, which he carried on in connection with his other interests.  For several years prior to being appointed Postmaster, he was assistant to that official.  In 1883, however, he was made head of the postoffice, and is still the incumbent of that position.

  In his political beliefs Mr. De Long is a supporter of Republican principles.  Through good business ability, enterprise, perseverance and well directed efforts he has become a prosperous citizen, and may truly be called a self-made man.

  William F. De Long and Miss Jane A. Newhard were united in marriage in 1868.  Of the two children born to them, only one, Minnie, is living.  Clement died when nine months old.  In addition to the enterprises which we have already mentioned in which our subject is engaged, he has been interested for many years in the coal, flour and feed business, and has handled each year nearly one thousand tons of coal.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties, Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States. Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co., 1894;