LONG, WILLIAM FREW (28 Apr. 1880-7 Jan. 1984), businessman, officer, and mayor of Macedonia, Ohio, was born in Allegheny, Pa., to Edward and Ella Edgar Long. He spent his early days in affluence until his father lost his fortune. Long left school at 11, sold newspapers, did clerical work, bought a laundry, and became president of the Pittsburgh Laundry Assoc., and subsequently manager of the Pittsburgh, Pa., Mfrs. Assoc. (1913-20). Long joined the Signal Corps in 1917, was commissioned a captain, and transferred to the Army Air Corps—flying early Jenny planes and commanding the 414 Pursuit Squadron. After the war, he became manager (1920-49) of the American Plan Assoc. of Cleveland, which became ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF CLEVELAND. Long stood against trade unionism, especially the closed shop and compulsory union membership, and often debated labor relations with union leaders and appeared before congressional committees.
In 1931, Long was promoted to colonel in the Army Reserve. He was recalled to active service in 1941, serving as civilian personnel relations officer, and in 1944 becoming general manager of the Natl. War Labor Board. At 69, Long was appointed to the Macedonia Twp. Board of Zoning, and in 1962 was elected mayor, serving for 13 years and helping it incorporate as a city.
Long and his first wife, Martha Ertzman, were divorced in 1923; they had one son. His second wife, Isabel Elizabeth (Patterson), whom he married in 1936, died in 1956. Survived by his son, Wm. Frew, Jr., Long died in Hudson, Ohio, and was buried in Northfield-Macedonia Cemetery. Long donated his Longwood Farm to Macedonia for a park.
William Frew Long Papers, WRHS.