THURSTON DE LONG was born on the 18th of February, 1835, in Canada West. Assisting his parents on a farm until eighteen years of age, he came, to Buffalo, New York, and learned the carpenter's trade. The following year (1854), he returned to Canada, and two years later, came to Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, working a year at his trade. He then came, with his wife, to Gilmanton, and took a claim on section six, being the first married man who located in the town. In 1858, Mr. De Long returned to Sauk Rapids, from thence to Canada, and in 1864, to Illinois. Two years later, he came to his present farm, since when, he has made himself thoroughly acquainted with the northern part of the State, spending many years in its wilds, in prospecting for pine lands. Miss Sarah E, Cronk became his wife on the 5th of February, 1857. They have had ten children, and seven are living.

History of the Upper Mississippi Valley (1881) p. 354 [Gilmanton]