Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. pp. 797-798.

ALEXANDER DELONG, one of the old pioneers of Wells County, was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, April 17, 1809, and died at his home in Lancaster Township, April 25, 1881. He was married near Fletcher, in Miami County, Ohio, in 1832, to Miss Elizabeth Beers, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Shanks) Beers, who were among the earliest settlers of that county. They began housekeeping in Miami County, where three children, named Asa, Solomon and George, were born to them. In the fall of 1847 Mr. DeLong came with his wife and children from Miami to Wells County, settling on a heavily timbered farm on section 34, Lancaster Township. Here he erected a log cabin the same fall, felled the trees and prepared the land for crops for the following year. The first patch cleared was three acres which he planted in fruit trees in the spring of the next year, and year by year the improvements were more manifest until he had his farm under thorough cultivation, which is now in possession of his son Solomon. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. DeLong after coming to Wells County —Joseph, a book dealer of Bluffton, and Mary A., deceased wife of Charles Cole. The father lived on the old homestead until his death, and reared his family to honorable and respectable status in life, and earned the respect and esteem of. the entire community. He came to the county in limited circumstances, having only enough money to enter 160 acres of land, which cost him $200. The original patent bore the signature of President Martin Van Buren, and was dated August 5, 1837. The widow still resides on the home farm. Mr. DeLong was a member of the Baptist church during the latter years of his life. All the children living are married except Solomon, who has charge of the home farm, and the fine appearance of the buildings, stock, and ground show him to be a systematic and successful farmer. In politics, like his father, he has always affiliated with the Republican party. Solomon DeLong was one of the loyal men of Wells County who left the peaceful pursuits of farm life to defend his country. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, under Captain Peter Studabaker, and his regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. DeLong was assigned to duty in the Pioneer Corps, and did faithful and meritorious service until the close of the war. His brother George was also a gallant and faithful soldier, serving three years in the Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry.