[21-247.1c] MATTHIAS REIFF LONGACRE, same as above, m 3rd time, June 5, 1901, REGINA V. NOLL, b June 25, 1863; youngest dau Michael and —-————- (Witmer) Noll of Pfouts Valley, Perry Co., Pa.
Matthias Reiff Longacre had a most remarkable career, being left fatherless at the age of nine. The mother with five children had a hard struggle, as her late husband’s estate was settled at a disadvantage to the family. However, by strict economy, and good management and much self sacrifice, she sueceeded in raising her children to fill positions of honor and trust; two of the sons and a son-in-law served with distinction in the War of the Rebellion, and two other sons filled banking positions.
Having a taste for art, at the age of 17 Matthias Longacre left home for Phila. where he apprenticed himself for four years to learn wood engraving. His employer dying at the end of two years young Matthias went to Cincinnati for a year’s engagement at engraving on wood, making drawings on the blackboard in the evening for members of the Ohio Medical College Faculty. The publishing firm for which he worked failing, young Matthias again returned to Phila., then going to New York where he was employed by Harper Brothers and Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Publications.
When the War of the Rebellion broke out Mr. Longacre left his wife and two children in New York, enlisted in the Signal Corps and was later appointed military store-keeper at Baton Rouge, La., holding this position during the war.
After various vicissitudes following the close of the Rebellion Mr. Longacre formed a partnership in Phila. which was the first to combine engraving, printing and lithographing in this country. Four
unsuccessful partnerships were formed and disbanded in turn. Being of an inventive mind, he was induced to take out nine patents and spent the usual time and money, known only to inventors, to establish his rights to the same. The basic principle of one of the best and most popular cash registers now extensively used, was devised by Mr. Longacre. The company formed to promote these patents having failed, Mr. Longacre returned to sketching and making pictures. [ Vid. Longaker-Longenecker Fam., p 109-125.| .
[21-247.2]) THOMAS F. LONGACRE, b Dec. 4, 1837; d Feb. 21, 1917; s Henry and Elizabeth (Reiff) Longacre [21-75]; m ISABEL CHASE.
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