My Genealogy Hound

Nathan Longfield was born in Northumberland County, Penn., in 1826. He is the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Acley) Longfield, both of German descent. They came to this country August 4, 1818, and went directly to the above county, where they settled on a farm. In 1835 they moved to Ohio, and in October, 1843, to Wisconsin. His wife died September 11, 1846, and he followed her November 3, 1853. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject received a good academic education, and at the age of twenty-one began for himself. Two years later he began running a threshing machine, and afterward about the same length of time was engaged in the lumber business in the pineries of Wisconsin. He also farmed until the fall of 1851, when he went to Jefferson County, Mo., and helped clear, break and fence a farm for D. N. Hunt, and ran the farm for the proprietor until the fall of 1853, when he returned to Jefferson County, Wis. He attended school there, and in 1854 was married to Lucy J., a daughter of Lyman Johnson. Three years later he sold out and came to this county with his wife and two children: Orrilla M. and William H. Their later children are Mary M., Luvina J., Edwin U., Alvan L. and Rufus L. As there were but three schoolhouses in his township on his arrival, he became prominent in organizing schools. He owns a small but well-improved farm.