Among the public spirited citizens of any community are often found prominent those who have been reared amid influences which tend to the higher development of the race in general—physical conditions such as the farm offers, with its pure air, water, sunshine and plenty of healthful exercise, which permit free play to the best instincts of man. One of these substantial citizens is R. F. Long, a banker of Hendersonville, who has combined agricultural pursuits with a business career, and thus enjoys the broad freedom of the independent life in the country.
John R. Long, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1830, in Robertson County, Tennessee, where he was engaged in farming all his life, which occupation he has pursued with much success. For a considerable period of time a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he has been steward for years, and politically he is affiliated with the Democratic party, favoring prohibition. His service in the Civil War extended over a period of seven months. The birth of Lucinda A. (Batts) Long, wife of John R. Long, occurred in Robertson County also, in 1835, she being a daughter of Jeremiah Batts, an early settler of the county and a prosperous farmer.
Born April 4, 1869, in the county which is the birthplace of his father, after his school days were spent and he had completed a business course at Nashville. R. F. Long began his career on the farm, to the management of which he has applied his business ability with unusual success, being the owner of 711 acres of land. Integrity, business acumen, foresight and wisdom are recognized qualities in this man, and in 1910 he was elected cashier and vice-president of the Bank of Hendersonville, the capital stock of which is $5,000, surplus and undivided profits $2,000, with average deposits of $35,000. He is also a member of the board of directors of this bank, and has served as school director, is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Elks, Nashville Lodge No. 72.
Mr. Long was married in 1890 to Mary Woodard, daughter of Judge John Woodard, for years judge of the county court of Robertson County and also an eminently successful business man of Nashville. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Long: John W., a bookkeeper living in Nashville; Nellie, wife of O. E. Davis, with Foster & Parks Company, Nashville; Albert W. and Rufus H., fourteen and eleven years of age respectively.
Source: Hale, Will T, and Dixon L. Merritt. A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Company, 1913. Volume 5.
