CHARLES HUFF

HUFF, COBLE, ROBINS, WAGNER, THOMPSON, MCGREW, WINDER, RITCHEY, POTTER, WINEBRENNER

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/22/2009 at 05:43:55

CHARLES HUFF, deceased, late of Grand View, this county, was born in Newburytown, York Co., Pa., Sept. 18, 1800. He was a son of John Huff, a Pennsylvanian, of German descent. The subject of our sketch learned the wagon-maker's trade at Shirenumstown, Pa., and then engaged in business at Oyster's Point, Cumberland County. In 1827 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Coble, daughter of Christian Coble, also of German origin. Twelve children were born of their union, seven sons and five daughters, of whom five sons and three daughters are now living, and all except one are residents of Iowa: John married Miss Cynthia Robins, and is an attorney of Wapello; David became the husband of Miss Isa- bell Wagner, and is engaged in farming near Adair, Iowa; Levi wedded Miss Elizabeth Thompson, and carries on a meat-market at Anita, Iowa; Martha is the wife of Elder A. Mcgrew, of Lettsville, Iowa; C. Wesley was a Captain of Company G, 19th Iowa Infantry, in which he did good service in the late war. He went out as First Lieutenant, and succeeded Capt. A. M. Taylor in command of his company. He married Miss Margaret Winder, and is now engaged in farming near Massena, Iowa. B. W. was also a soldier in the late war, in Company G, 19th Iowa Infantry, and died from wounds received on the field of battle. He went out as First Sergeant of his company, but had his right arm shot off at the battle of Prairie Grove, died, and was buried at Fayetteville, Ark., being about twenty-three years of age at the time of his death. Emeline is the wife of B. W. Thompson, and lives near the old homestead; Reason B. married Miss Emma D. Ritchey, and is engaged in the real-estate business at Muscatine, as a member of the firm of Grossman & Huff; Elizabeth is the wife of S. N. Potter, living near Red Cloud, Kan. Four children of this family died in infancy.

Mr. Huff moved from Pennsylvania to Woostcr, Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1832, where he carried on the wagon-making business until 1851, when he removed to Louisa County. Iowa, and engaged in farming near Grand View. He was a Democrat in early life, but in 1840 voted for Harrison for President; in 1852 he supported Hale for President, apd in 1856 joined the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Huff at the time of their marriage were members of the German Reform Church, near Shiremanstown, Pa., being confirmed as members of that church hy John Winehrenner, the pastor. Elder Winebrenner being a man of broad, liberal views, leading an earnest, spiritual life, advocated the doctrine that God's people should be one, as the church should recognize the Scriptural name of the Church of God, and that those who became members of the church must be regenerated, or born again. For the preaching of these advanced views among his people the door of the church was barred against him, but as he had opportunity he went about preaching his views. Soon he gathered about him some followers, but they did not assume an organized form until about the year 1830, when Mr. and Mrs. Huff were by Elder Winebrenner received in church fellowship, near Oyster's Point, in one of the first organizations under the name of the Church of God, of which they both lived and died consistent members.

Mrs. Huff departed this life April 28, 1870. Mr. Huff survived his wife, and died at his residence. May 28, 1888. Had he lived until the 18th of the following September he would have been eiglity-eight years old. He was the last of two families, having outlived his brothers and sisters and his wife's brothers and sisters, and to the relatives immediately outside the family he was the only remaining uncle. Mr. Huff was temperate, was ever contented with his lot, of even temper of mind, was liberal and progressive in his views, lived abreast of the age, retained every faculty up to the moment of his death, and died while sitting in his chair. In his life he was by his neighbors and friends awarded the highest honor of being a Christian, conscientious and upright. The funeral, which was held at Grand View, was one of the largest ever known in the county.

Source: Portraits and Biographies copyrighted by Chapman Bros. 1885