He made the first loom in Minnesota in 1835 and taught the Dakota to farm. He and his wife served as missionary assistants under Rev. Thomas S. Williamson at the Dakota Indian missions at Lac qui Parle from 1835-1846 and Traverse des Sioux from 1846-1852.
In January, 1852, he conveyed to town site developers part of the land that was to become the town of Traverse des Sioux. He was appointed town postmaster in May. In August, he requested his release from the missionary service and began farming near Traverse des Sioux.
He and his wife had 8 children:
Amos Williamson Huggins (1833-1862); Jane Sloan Huggins Holtsclaw (1834-1920); Eliza Wilson Huggins (1837-1873); Mary Ann Longley Huggins Kerlinger (1839-1929); Eli Lundy Huggins (1842-1929); Rufus Anderson Huggins (1846-1862); Frances Gilliland Huggins (b.1848); and Harriet Cordelia Huggins (b.1851).
During the Dakota War of 1862, his son Amos was killed by some hostile Indians at Lac qui Parle. His son Rufus was injured at the battle of New Ulm and died from his wounds on Dec. 16, 1862 in New Ulm.
His son Eli Huggins joined the US Cavalry, fought in the Indian Wars, received the Medal of Honor in 1894, and retired a Brigadier General in 1903.
(c) Copyright 2009 Cindy K Coffin
He made the first loom in Minnesota in 1835 and taught the Dakota to farm. He and his wife served as missionary assistants under Rev. Thomas S. Williamson at the Dakota Indian missions at Lac qui Parle from 1835-1846 and Traverse des Sioux from 1846-1852.
In January, 1852, he conveyed to town site developers part of the land that was to become the town of Traverse des Sioux. He was appointed town postmaster in May. In August, he requested his release from the missionary service and began farming near Traverse des Sioux.
He and his wife had 8 children:
Amos Williamson Huggins (1833-1862); Jane Sloan Huggins Holtsclaw (1834-1920); Eliza Wilson Huggins (1837-1873); Mary Ann Longley Huggins Kerlinger (1839-1929); Eli Lundy Huggins (1842-1929); Rufus Anderson Huggins (1846-1862); Frances Gilliland Huggins (b.1848); and Harriet Cordelia Huggins (b.1851).
During the Dakota War of 1862, his son Amos was killed by some hostile Indians at Lac qui Parle. His son Rufus was injured at the battle of New Ulm and died from his wounds on Dec. 16, 1862 in New Ulm.
His son Eli Huggins joined the US Cavalry, fought in the Indian Wars, received the Medal of Honor in 1894, and retired a Brigadier General in 1903.
(c) Copyright 2009 Cindy K Coffin
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