Biography - JOHN HUFF
John Huff, who owns a well improved farm on section 8, Rockbridge
[T]ownship, comprising two hundred acres of rich and arable land, is
accounted one of the worthy pioneer settlers of the county, for he has
resided within its borders since 1840 and has always been true and loyal to
its interests. A native of Ohio, he was born in Hamilton [C]ounty, April 16,
1840, and is of German descent. His grandfather, Louis Huff, was a native of
Germany and became the founder of the family in the new world, locating in
Virginia when he crossed the Atlantic.
His son, John Huff, Sr., was born in Montgomery [C]ounty, Virginia, in 1799,
was there reared, and in the state of his nativity married Anna Hancock,
also a native of the Old Dominion. Removing to Ohio he entered land from the
government in Hamilton [C]ounty, where the city of Cincinnati now stands.
There he began the development of a farm, tilling the soil for two years,
after which he came with his family to Greene [C]ounty, Illinois, settling
upon land near Carrollton. This he also entered from the government and he
transformed the wild tract into richly cultivated fields. The place
comprised one hundred and sixty acres, on which he reared his family, and
when he sold that property he bought a farm in Rockbridge [T]ownship,
spending his last years there. His death occurred in September, 1870, when
he was eighty yers of age. His wife passed way several years prior to that
time. In their family were ten children who reached years of maturity but
only three are now living, the eldest being Mrs. Julia Murphy, a widow, who
resides in Kansas. James Huff owns and operates the old home farm in
Rockbridge [T]ownship.
John Huff, the other surviving member of the family, was only a few months
old when brought by his parents to Greene [C]ounty, and here he was reared
and educated, attending the common schools. He remained with his father
until he had attained adult age and then started out in life on his own
account, renting a farm for eight years, after which he settled at his
present place of residence. He opened up this farm, bought more land and his
possessions now aggregate two hundred acres He has erected a good frame
residence, also barns and sheds, has planted fruit trees and placed his
gardens and fields in excellent condition, He not only cultivates his land
but has also raised good stock, and in both branches of his business has
found that success is ambition’s answer.
Mr. Huff was married on the 16th of March, 1954, to Miss Catherine Cox, who
after a happy married life of about twenty-eight years, passed away in 1889,
her remains being interred in Witt [C]emetery. She possessed many excellent
traits of character and her loss was deeply felt by her friends as well as
her immediate family.
Mr. Huff has never faltered in his allegiance to the Democratic [P]arty and
has done all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He
was elected and served for four years as constable, was also school director
for some time and has been a delegate to conventions of his party. He
belongs to the Loyal American, a fraternal insurance order. For some years
he has rented his farm and has thus largely retired from the active duties
of farm life, but still gives general supervision to his property. The
confidence and esteem of the community are his, for his has been an upright,
honorable life, passed almost entirely within the borders of Greene
[C]ounty, so that friends and neighbors have had ample opportunity to judge
of his worth.
Extracted 2021 Sep 03 by Marti Swanson from Past and Present of Greene County, Illinois, by Ed Miner, published in 1905, pages 470-471.
