Longstreet, James Oliver, 1833-1861
Biography
James Oliver Longstreet was born November 16, 1833, in Onondaga, New York. His parents owned and operated a farm in Onondaga. He received a BA from Wesleyan in 1857. As a student at Wesleyan, he was a member of the Mystical Seven secret society and the Missionary Lyceum. Starting in 1856, he served as president of the Missionary Lyceum and as president of the senior class. Longstreet was politically active while at Wesleyan, campaigning for John C. Fremont during the 1856 presidential campaign. He was a member of the Republican Party, and active in their group on campus. Longstreet was vocal about his abolitionist views, and expressed pleasure in reading the writings of Frederick Douglas. During the summers and winters he taught school in various locations, especially in North Guilford and North Branford (both in Connecticut). After graduating from Wesleyan, Longstreet taught in Croton Falls, NY, from 1857 to 1858. From 1858-1860, he attended the Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute in Brooklyn, NY, receiving the degree of Masters of Arts. He married Josephine Christopher of Croton Falls, NY, on July 7, 1859. In 1860, he joined the Troy Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a preacher at Hyde Park, Vermont, from 1860 until his death in 1861.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
James Oliver Longstreet diary
James Oliver Longstreet's personal diary from the year 1856 covers the second semester of his junior year at Wesleyan, as well as the first semester of his senior year. Many events are recorded in the diary, including the 1856 presidential election and the founding of the Middletown chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Longstreet also discusses his work as a teacher in North Guilford, Connecticut and North Branford, Connecticut.