Eugene Hutchinson Long, who has been prominent in the practice of law in Grand Rapids since 1893, was born in Albany, N. Y., June 6, 1850, a son of William and Mary J. (Layton) Long, natives, also of the Empire state.

William Long was a furniture manufacturer by occupation, and this trade he followed until his death in 1897; his widow is now a resident of Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. W. Long was a republican in politics, and served his party in the city council of Buffalo, from the Ninth ward, from 1861, until 1863. He was a gentleman of moderate means, but stood very high in the esteem of many public men, among whom may be mentioned President Abraham Lincoln. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow, and in religion a Baptist, to which faith his widow still clings. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. W. Long were born four children, viz: George W., deceased; Eugene H., the subject of this sketch; William E., M. D., of Buffalo, and Anna M., wife of F. W. Burke, of the same city.

Eugene H. Long, after passing through the public schools of Buffalo, N. Y., graduated from high school in 1860, and was at once apprenticed to a watchmaker and jeweler, with whom he remained five years, learning the trade thoroughly. He then began the study of law in the office of William L. Jones, read faithfully and assiduously, and in February, 1871, was admitted to the bar. Soon afterwards, he was appointed United States consular agent at the port of Dunville, Canada, filled the position with much credit to himself for two and a half years, and then returned to Buffalo, whence he removed to Jamestown, N. Y., and next, in 1888, located in Detroit, Mich., practicing law, in the meanwhile, at each place. After a very successful course of practice, in Detroit, until 1893, Mr. Long came to Grand Rapids, and from April of that year has here been engaged in the active practice of his profession, among his clients being the noted firm of R. L. Polk & Co., publishers of numerous valuable state directories.

Mr. Long is a thirty-second degree Mason and also a member of the A. O. U. W.; in politics he is a republican, and his social standing, like his profession, is all that could be desired.