Date of birth calculated.

Although it has a number (#154178) in the library records of the North Madison Co. Public Library (1600 N. Main; Elwood, IN 46036), it seems as though David's actual obituary is lost or misplaced. However, the following article has been found that tells something about the life and times in which David lived:

The TIPTON TRIBUNE
11 January, 1928
page 4

A PRIZED HEIRLOOM -- Tray Made from Log of Cabin Which Sheltered DeLong Family.

Rufus DeLong, residing near Curtisville, has recently received from a cousin, Charles DeLong of Cridersville, Ohio, a wooden tray, for which he would not accept any sum of money, although to the average person it would have but little value. To him, however, it brings back scenes of' the long ago and causes him to picture the log cabin home in Ohio where he spent his boyhood.

Pasted on the bottom of the tray, which is about 12-inches in circumference and one-half inch deep is the inscription: This little tray was made from a portion of a beech log, taken from the David DeLong Cabin built in 1857 and torn down in 1926, where you boys were raised in Ohio.

Rufus DeLong is now 72 years of age and was a baby of two when his parents first moved into their Ohio cabin home. His father, David DeLong and his mother Catherine Dotson-DeLong were at that time young married people, and the father tilled an 80-acre farm which he improved and made one of the best in that section of the country. In 1882, the 80-acre farm in Ohio was exchanged for 320-acres of land in what is known as the Round Prairie neighborhood in Madison Township and the family came here and took possession.

It was a sorry prospect at that time, and the parents became discouraged. They were homesick and believed that they had made a bad bargain. David, the father, tried to exchange the Tipton County farm for a 20-acre improved piece back in Ohio, but the offer was turned down. Determining to make the best of his bargain, he started improving his Tipton County land which developed into one of the best farms in Tipton County. A few years ago, $300-per acre offered for the 138-acres occupied by Rufus DeLong, and a part of the original 320, was refused.

The parents both died on the farm, David at the age of 72 and Catherine at the age of 82. Both are lying in the Cook Cemetery near New Lancaster. Theirs was the same story as many of the early comers to this county who fought against great hardships and developed it into one of the most fertile and improved counties of the state.