John R. Long, son of Thomas and Margaret (Ryan) Long was a native of Tipperary, Ireland born 14 Sep 1829. He came to the United Stated in the fall of 1848, and after living four years in Tompkins County, New York, came to Grand Rapids in 1859 and purchased 120 acres in section 2 and eleven years later he added 160 acres. He was married at Rochester, NY in September, 1855 to Winnifred Kinseley. Two children were born in Walker township and two in Byron township: Thomas G., 1856, Michael J., September, 1858, Margaret L., 1862 and Peter D., August, 1864. Mr. Long enlisted at R. R. in Co. A, 16th Regt, Mich Inf. He was at the evacuation of Petersburg, and the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. The township was still in it pioneer days when he came, he cleared a space for a log house. He had a splendid barn erected at a cost of $1,600. Both were member of St. Andrews Church, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.