Husband of Martha Ann (Coolman) Huffman, married 31 Dec 1874, Huntington County, Indiana
Bluffton News Banner, Friday, 22 June 1945
P1C6 & P2C1&2
Levi Huffman Is Claimed By Death
Levi Huffman Sr., 94, former Wells county commissioner, died at 4:25 p.m. Thursday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Charles Goodmiller, in Warren. He had been in failing health the past two years and was critically ill the past four weeks. Death was caused by infirmities of age. He had been at the daughter's home the past six years.
The decedent was one of the pioneer residents of Jackson township. He was born Oct. 20, 1850, on the farm known as the Wheatland farm in Jackson township, a son of Henry and Catherine Baker Huffman, who came to Wells county in 1840.
His parents entered uncleared land in Jackson township and he later came into full possession of this old homestead, having held the parchment deed bearing the name of President Martin Van Buren as evidence of title to the property.
He also assisted in clearing much of the 90 acres of land, part of which was cleared and placed in cultivation by his father. His father gradually added more land to the farm until the total reached 170 acres.
The first home of the family, where Levi Huffman was born, was a log cabin. In 1867 it was replaced by a more substantial frame structure and at one time was one of the best homes in the township.
Attended Rural School
Levi Huffman started doing hard work as a boy and during the winter months he attended a rural school. He attended school until he was 20 years of age. For a time he rented a part of his father's farm on shares and also rented other land from neighbors.
On Dec. 31, 1874, he claimed Miss Martha Coolman, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKee) Coolman as his bride and established a home of his own in a log cabin on a 40-acre tract of land purchased by his father. He prospered for seven years and then, as his father was growing old and unable to do farm work, he and his wife moved onto the old homestead. In later years he erected one of the largest barns and one of the finest homes in the county.
Interested in Politics
Mr. Huffman was always interested in politics and affairs of his home community. He served as a county commissioner from 1907 to 1910. In 1918 he served as a member of the Wells County hospital board. Both he and his wife were active members of the Church of Brethren denomination.
During his lifetime he was also engaged in other business activities, including operation of a lumber yard at Montpelier. He was also president of the old National Bank at Warren. At one time he owned several business buildings in Montpelier.
He and his wife were the parents of two children. Mrs. Charles Goodmiller, of Warren, and Mrs. Josephine Rife, who is deceased. Surviving also are a granddaughter, Mrs. Emmert Young, of Normal, Ill., and two foster grandchildren, Ward Denman, of Andrews, and Mrs. Verlin Eltzroth, of Wabash. Mr. Huffman was the last of his family.
The body was removed to the H. Brown & Son funeral home at Warren.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Methodist church in Warren in charge of Rev. F. M. Hollenberg and Rev. L. M. Hite. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery at Warren.
-------------------------------------
Biographical Memoirs of Wells Co., IN, 1903, B. F. Bowen, Publisher, Pg 192 Submitted by: Colleen Rutledge
LEVI HUFFMAN
Among the enterprising men of affairs whose life and character are familiar to nearly every citizen of Wells county, the name of Levi Huffman stands out clear and sharp. Distinctly a progressive man and as such deeply interested in everything pertaining to the material advancement of the county, and the promotion of its industrial growth, he fills no insignificant place in public esteem, but on the contrary enjoys much more than local repute in the various vocations with which he is identified. Mr. Huffman is a native of Wells county and the son of Henry and Catharine (BAKER) Huffman, the father born in Clark county, Ohio, and the mother in the state of Pennsylvania. The father of Henry was Adam Huffman, one of the earliest settlers of Clark county; Mrs. Huffman was the daughter of Adam Baker, a representative of one of the oldest families in the part of Pennsylvania where he lived.
In 1840 Henry Huffman came to Wells county, Indiana, and entered the land in Jackson township now owned by the subject and at once began the preliminary work of clearing a farm. Up to that time the land was as nature created it and the first thing necessary was some kind of a habitation for the family. In a short time a log cabin of the conventional type was erected and it served the purpose for which intended until replaced in 1867 by a frame, one of the first buildings of the kind in the township of Jackson. When Mr. Huffman took possession of his place the woods were so dense that a person going fifteen rods from the house was in danger of getting lost. To clear away such growth and prepare the ground for tillage required an immense amount of hard labor, but by patient endurance the forest gradually disappeared before the woodman's sturdy strokes until in the course of time nearly all of the ninety and a half acres was in a fine state of cultivation. Later Mr. Huffman added to his original purchase until his place included one hundred and seventy acres of as fertile soil as the county could boast, and the farm is now considered one of the most valuable pieces of land in this part of the state. He made many substantial improvements and soon took high rank with the leading agriculturists of his township.
Mr. Huffman died on this place in the fall of 1883, just four weeks and three days after the departure of his faithful companion. This was his second wife, his first having died a number of years previously, after bearing him four children, Jacob, Catherine, Sallie and Peter, all living at the present time. The maiden name of the first wife was Elizabeth EVERSOLE. By the second marriage, to which reference is made in a preceding paragraph, Mr. Huffman was the father of ten children, whose names are as follows: Frederick, George, Henry, Lydia, John, Samuel, Levi, Eliza, Eva and Mary, all but the last named living. The death of but one in a family of fourteen children after they had grown to the years of maturity is perhaps unparalleled in the history of any other family in the state. It is evidence of a strong and vigorous ancestry, supplemented by correct habits of living on the part of the descendants, all of the children being fine specimens of physical manhood and womanhood.
The birth of Levi Huffman occurred October 20, 1850, on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He inherited a strong constitution and by faithful outdoor exercise early developed a vigor of body which enabled him while still a youth to perform a man' labor at all kinds of farm work. In the winter time he attended the public schools of Jackson township until his twentieth year, spending the other seasons as his father's assistant in carrying on the farm. He commenced life for himself by working a part of the home place on the shares, in addition to which he also rented land of his neighbors and in this way succeeded within a few years in getting a very good start in the world. He continued to live under the parental roof until his marriage, which was solemnized on the 31st of December, 1874, with Miss Martha COOLMAN, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKEE) Coolman, natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Huntington county, Indiana. Soon after taking to himself a wife Mr. Huffman moved into a little old log house on a forty-acre tract of land which his father subsequently purchased and during the seven years following he lived on this place and prospered in his labors. At the expiration of that time he took charge of the home farm for the purpose of looking after his father, who, by reason of old age and infirmities incident thereto was no longer able to manage the place or attend to his business affairs. With filial devotion and affection most commendable, the subject continued to care for his parents as long as they lived and after their death he sold a piece of land in Blackford county which he had purchased the meantime and bought the old family homestead. Since taking possession in 1883 Mr. Huffman has made the farm one of the finest in the township and, as already stated, he soon became one of the most enterprising farmers and stockraisers in the county of Wells. among the many valuable improvements which he has made are a large and commodious barn, erected in 1884, and the fine modern residence, built five years later, besides the other buildings which every first class farm contains. At the present time Mr. Huffman owns four hundred acres of land, all lying in the Indiana oil fields and on this are forty-seven producing wells which yield him the handsome income of seven hundred dollars per month. From this source alone he has become a wealthy man, the returns from his agricultural and live stock interests also adding very materially to the large fortune now in his possession. Mr. Huffman is a careful and conservative business man and has made many judicious investments, all of which return him a liberal margin. he owns a half interest in a large business block in the town of Warren and a number of dwellings and other property in Montpelier, and looks forward to making still greater investments in country and city real estate. He is now chiefly engaged in looking after his large business interests, but devotes a considerable portion of his time to the breeding and raising of fine live stock, in which industry he has a wide and growing reputation. Mr. Huffman pays especial attention to shorthorn cattle, of which he keeps on hand a herd of from twenty-fine to thirty-five, all first-class animals, many of them representing hundreds of dollars in value; he has also met with most encouraging success raising Poland China and Duroc breeds of hogs, supplying many of his neighbors and others with this valuable stock, besides marketing a large number every year, thus materially increasing his income.
With all his success as a farmer and business man, Mr. Huffman is quiet and unassuming in demeanor, having no desire to boast of his achievements, realizing that worldly wealth does not constitute truest riches. In the best sense of the term he is a Christian and as such looks upon material possession only as a means of accomplishing good among his fellow men. A number of years ago he united with the German Baptist church and began that religious life which has since characterized him and he is now one of the most active workers in the congregation with which he worships. His wife is also a member of the same communion and in many ways has demonstrated her faith in good works among those with whom she mingles. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have been kind and charitable to the worthy pool and no legitimate enterprise for the moral advancement of the community has ever appealed for their assistance in vain. They are highly esteemed by the people of their neighborhood and those who know them best are the most profuse in their praise. Mr. Huffman reads much and has decided opinions on the leading questions of the day. He has been a pronounced Democrat all his life and takes an active interest in local and general politics, never missing an election, unless unavoidably detained, nor hesitating to express his opinions upon the questions at issue.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Huffman has been blessed with two children, the older of whom is Ardella, now the wife of Watson HAYWARD, who lives on the subject's farm in Huntington county; Josephine A., the younger, married Daniel Roscoe HARDMAN and lives with her parents, her husband having charge of the home farm. Mr. Huffman has in his possession an old parchment deed, dated August 5, 1837, and bearing the signature of Martin Van Buren.
Bluffton News Banner, Friday, 22 June 1945
P1C6 & P2C1&2
Levi Huffman Is Claimed By Death
Levi Huffman Sr., 94, former Wells county commissioner, died at 4:25 p.m. Thursday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Charles Goodmiller, in Warren. He had been in failing health the past two years and was critically ill the past four weeks. Death was caused by infirmities of age. He had been at the daughter's home the past six years.
The decedent was one of the pioneer residents of Jackson township. He was born Oct. 20, 1850, on the farm known as the Wheatland farm in Jackson township, a son of Henry and Catherine Baker Huffman, who came to Wells county in 1840.
His parents entered uncleared land in Jackson township and he later came into full possession of this old homestead, having held the parchment deed bearing the name of President Martin Van Buren as evidence of title to the property.
He also assisted in clearing much of the 90 acres of land, part of which was cleared and placed in cultivation by his father. His father gradually added more land to the farm until the total reached 170 acres.
The first home of the family, where Levi Huffman was born, was a log cabin. In 1867 it was replaced by a more substantial frame structure and at one time was one of the best homes in the township.
Attended Rural School
Levi Huffman started doing hard work as a boy and during the winter months he attended a rural school. He attended school until he was 20 years of age. For a time he rented a part of his father's farm on shares and also rented other land from neighbors.
On Dec. 31, 1874, he claimed Miss Martha Coolman, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKee) Coolman as his bride and established a home of his own in a log cabin on a 40-acre tract of land purchased by his father. He prospered for seven years and then, as his father was growing old and unable to do farm work, he and his wife moved onto the old homestead. In later years he erected one of the largest barns and one of the finest homes in the county.
Interested in Politics
Mr. Huffman was always interested in politics and affairs of his home community. He served as a county commissioner from 1907 to 1910. In 1918 he served as a member of the Wells County hospital board. Both he and his wife were active members of the Church of Brethren denomination.
During his lifetime he was also engaged in other business activities, including operation of a lumber yard at Montpelier. He was also president of the old National Bank at Warren. At one time he owned several business buildings in Montpelier.
He and his wife were the parents of two children. Mrs. Charles Goodmiller, of Warren, and Mrs. Josephine Rife, who is deceased. Surviving also are a granddaughter, Mrs. Emmert Young, of Normal, Ill., and two foster grandchildren, Ward Denman, of Andrews, and Mrs. Verlin Eltzroth, of Wabash. Mr. Huffman was the last of his family.
The body was removed to the H. Brown & Son funeral home at Warren.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Methodist church in Warren in charge of Rev. F. M. Hollenberg and Rev. L. M. Hite. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery at Warren.
-------------------------------------
Biographical Memoirs of Wells Co., IN, 1903, B. F. Bowen, Publisher, Pg 192 Submitted by: Colleen Rutledge
LEVI HUFFMAN
Among the enterprising men of affairs whose life and character are familiar to nearly every citizen of Wells county, the name of Levi Huffman stands out clear and sharp. Distinctly a progressive man and as such deeply interested in everything pertaining to the material advancement of the county, and the promotion of its industrial growth, he fills no insignificant place in public esteem, but on the contrary enjoys much more than local repute in the various vocations with which he is identified. Mr. Huffman is a native of Wells county and the son of Henry and Catharine (BAKER) Huffman, the father born in Clark county, Ohio, and the mother in the state of Pennsylvania. The father of Henry was Adam Huffman, one of the earliest settlers of Clark county; Mrs. Huffman was the daughter of Adam Baker, a representative of one of the oldest families in the part of Pennsylvania where he lived.
In 1840 Henry Huffman came to Wells county, Indiana, and entered the land in Jackson township now owned by the subject and at once began the preliminary work of clearing a farm. Up to that time the land was as nature created it and the first thing necessary was some kind of a habitation for the family. In a short time a log cabin of the conventional type was erected and it served the purpose for which intended until replaced in 1867 by a frame, one of the first buildings of the kind in the township of Jackson. When Mr. Huffman took possession of his place the woods were so dense that a person going fifteen rods from the house was in danger of getting lost. To clear away such growth and prepare the ground for tillage required an immense amount of hard labor, but by patient endurance the forest gradually disappeared before the woodman's sturdy strokes until in the course of time nearly all of the ninety and a half acres was in a fine state of cultivation. Later Mr. Huffman added to his original purchase until his place included one hundred and seventy acres of as fertile soil as the county could boast, and the farm is now considered one of the most valuable pieces of land in this part of the state. He made many substantial improvements and soon took high rank with the leading agriculturists of his township.
Mr. Huffman died on this place in the fall of 1883, just four weeks and three days after the departure of his faithful companion. This was his second wife, his first having died a number of years previously, after bearing him four children, Jacob, Catherine, Sallie and Peter, all living at the present time. The maiden name of the first wife was Elizabeth EVERSOLE. By the second marriage, to which reference is made in a preceding paragraph, Mr. Huffman was the father of ten children, whose names are as follows: Frederick, George, Henry, Lydia, John, Samuel, Levi, Eliza, Eva and Mary, all but the last named living. The death of but one in a family of fourteen children after they had grown to the years of maturity is perhaps unparalleled in the history of any other family in the state. It is evidence of a strong and vigorous ancestry, supplemented by correct habits of living on the part of the descendants, all of the children being fine specimens of physical manhood and womanhood.
The birth of Levi Huffman occurred October 20, 1850, on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He inherited a strong constitution and by faithful outdoor exercise early developed a vigor of body which enabled him while still a youth to perform a man' labor at all kinds of farm work. In the winter time he attended the public schools of Jackson township until his twentieth year, spending the other seasons as his father's assistant in carrying on the farm. He commenced life for himself by working a part of the home place on the shares, in addition to which he also rented land of his neighbors and in this way succeeded within a few years in getting a very good start in the world. He continued to live under the parental roof until his marriage, which was solemnized on the 31st of December, 1874, with Miss Martha COOLMAN, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKEE) Coolman, natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Huntington county, Indiana. Soon after taking to himself a wife Mr. Huffman moved into a little old log house on a forty-acre tract of land which his father subsequently purchased and during the seven years following he lived on this place and prospered in his labors. At the expiration of that time he took charge of the home farm for the purpose of looking after his father, who, by reason of old age and infirmities incident thereto was no longer able to manage the place or attend to his business affairs. With filial devotion and affection most commendable, the subject continued to care for his parents as long as they lived and after their death he sold a piece of land in Blackford county which he had purchased the meantime and bought the old family homestead. Since taking possession in 1883 Mr. Huffman has made the farm one of the finest in the township and, as already stated, he soon became one of the most enterprising farmers and stockraisers in the county of Wells. among the many valuable improvements which he has made are a large and commodious barn, erected in 1884, and the fine modern residence, built five years later, besides the other buildings which every first class farm contains. At the present time Mr. Huffman owns four hundred acres of land, all lying in the Indiana oil fields and on this are forty-seven producing wells which yield him the handsome income of seven hundred dollars per month. From this source alone he has become a wealthy man, the returns from his agricultural and live stock interests also adding very materially to the large fortune now in his possession. Mr. Huffman is a careful and conservative business man and has made many judicious investments, all of which return him a liberal margin. he owns a half interest in a large business block in the town of Warren and a number of dwellings and other property in Montpelier, and looks forward to making still greater investments in country and city real estate. He is now chiefly engaged in looking after his large business interests, but devotes a considerable portion of his time to the breeding and raising of fine live stock, in which industry he has a wide and growing reputation. Mr. Huffman pays especial attention to shorthorn cattle, of which he keeps on hand a herd of from twenty-fine to thirty-five, all first-class animals, many of them representing hundreds of dollars in value; he has also met with most encouraging success raising Poland China and Duroc breeds of hogs, supplying many of his neighbors and others with this valuable stock, besides marketing a large number every year, thus materially increasing his income.
With all his success as a farmer and business man, Mr. Huffman is quiet and unassuming in demeanor, having no desire to boast of his achievements, realizing that worldly wealth does not constitute truest riches. In the best sense of the term he is a Christian and as such looks upon material possession only as a means of accomplishing good among his fellow men. A number of years ago he united with the German Baptist church and began that religious life which has since characterized him and he is now one of the most active workers in the congregation with which he worships. His wife is also a member of the same communion and in many ways has demonstrated her faith in good works among those with whom she mingles. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have been kind and charitable to the worthy pool and no legitimate enterprise for the moral advancement of the community has ever appealed for their assistance in vain. They are highly esteemed by the people of their neighborhood and those who know them best are the most profuse in their praise. Mr. Huffman reads much and has decided opinions on the leading questions of the day. He has been a pronounced Democrat all his life and takes an active interest in local and general politics, never missing an election, unless unavoidably detained, nor hesitating to express his opinions upon the questions at issue.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Huffman has been blessed with two children, the older of whom is Ardella, now the wife of Watson HAYWARD, who lives on the subject's farm in Huntington county; Josephine A., the younger, married Daniel Roscoe HARDMAN and lives with her parents, her husband having charge of the home farm. Mr. Huffman has in his possession an old parchment deed, dated August 5, 1837, and bearing the signature of Martin Van Buren.
Husband of Martha Ann (Coolman) Huffman, married 31 Dec 1874, Huntington County, Indiana
Bluffton News Banner, Friday, 22 June 1945
P1C6 & P2C1&2
Levi Huffman Is Claimed By Death
Levi Huffman Sr., 94, former Wells county commissioner, died at 4:25 p.m. Thursday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Charles Goodmiller, in Warren. He had been in failing health the past two years and was critically ill the past four weeks. Death was caused by infirmities of age. He had been at the daughter's home the past six years.
The decedent was one of the pioneer residents of Jackson township. He was born Oct. 20, 1850, on the farm known as the Wheatland farm in Jackson township, a son of Henry and Catherine Baker Huffman, who came to Wells county in 1840.
His parents entered uncleared land in Jackson township and he later came into full possession of this old homestead, having held the parchment deed bearing the name of President Martin Van Buren as evidence of title to the property.
He also assisted in clearing much of the 90 acres of land, part of which was cleared and placed in cultivation by his father. His father gradually added more land to the farm until the total reached 170 acres.
The first home of the family, where Levi Huffman was born, was a log cabin. In 1867 it was replaced by a more substantial frame structure and at one time was one of the best homes in the township.
Attended Rural School
Levi Huffman started doing hard work as a boy and during the winter months he attended a rural school. He attended school until he was 20 years of age. For a time he rented a part of his father's farm on shares and also rented other land from neighbors.
On Dec. 31, 1874, he claimed Miss Martha Coolman, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKee) Coolman as his bride and established a home of his own in a log cabin on a 40-acre tract of land purchased by his father. He prospered for seven years and then, as his father was growing old and unable to do farm work, he and his wife moved onto the old homestead. In later years he erected one of the largest barns and one of the finest homes in the county.
Interested in Politics
Mr. Huffman was always interested in politics and affairs of his home community. He served as a county commissioner from 1907 to 1910. In 1918 he served as a member of the Wells County hospital board. Both he and his wife were active members of the Church of Brethren denomination.
During his lifetime he was also engaged in other business activities, including operation of a lumber yard at Montpelier. He was also president of the old National Bank at Warren. At one time he owned several business buildings in Montpelier.
He and his wife were the parents of two children. Mrs. Charles Goodmiller, of Warren, and Mrs. Josephine Rife, who is deceased. Surviving also are a granddaughter, Mrs. Emmert Young, of Normal, Ill., and two foster grandchildren, Ward Denman, of Andrews, and Mrs. Verlin Eltzroth, of Wabash. Mr. Huffman was the last of his family.
The body was removed to the H. Brown & Son funeral home at Warren.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Methodist church in Warren in charge of Rev. F. M. Hollenberg and Rev. L. M. Hite. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery at Warren.
-------------------------------------
Biographical Memoirs of Wells Co., IN, 1903, B. F. Bowen, Publisher, Pg 192 Submitted by: Colleen Rutledge
LEVI HUFFMAN
Among the enterprising men of affairs whose life and character are familiar to nearly every citizen of Wells county, the name of Levi Huffman stands out clear and sharp. Distinctly a progressive man and as such deeply interested in everything pertaining to the material advancement of the county, and the promotion of its industrial growth, he fills no insignificant place in public esteem, but on the contrary enjoys much more than local repute in the various vocations with which he is identified. Mr. Huffman is a native of Wells county and the son of Henry and Catharine (BAKER) Huffman, the father born in Clark county, Ohio, and the mother in the state of Pennsylvania. The father of Henry was Adam Huffman, one of the earliest settlers of Clark county; Mrs. Huffman was the daughter of Adam Baker, a representative of one of the oldest families in the part of Pennsylvania where he lived.
In 1840 Henry Huffman came to Wells county, Indiana, and entered the land in Jackson township now owned by the subject and at once began the preliminary work of clearing a farm. Up to that time the land was as nature created it and the first thing necessary was some kind of a habitation for the family. In a short time a log cabin of the conventional type was erected and it served the purpose for which intended until replaced in 1867 by a frame, one of the first buildings of the kind in the township of Jackson. When Mr. Huffman took possession of his place the woods were so dense that a person going fifteen rods from the house was in danger of getting lost. To clear away such growth and prepare the ground for tillage required an immense amount of hard labor, but by patient endurance the forest gradually disappeared before the woodman's sturdy strokes until in the course of time nearly all of the ninety and a half acres was in a fine state of cultivation. Later Mr. Huffman added to his original purchase until his place included one hundred and seventy acres of as fertile soil as the county could boast, and the farm is now considered one of the most valuable pieces of land in this part of the state. He made many substantial improvements and soon took high rank with the leading agriculturists of his township.
Mr. Huffman died on this place in the fall of 1883, just four weeks and three days after the departure of his faithful companion. This was his second wife, his first having died a number of years previously, after bearing him four children, Jacob, Catherine, Sallie and Peter, all living at the present time. The maiden name of the first wife was Elizabeth EVERSOLE. By the second marriage, to which reference is made in a preceding paragraph, Mr. Huffman was the father of ten children, whose names are as follows: Frederick, George, Henry, Lydia, John, Samuel, Levi, Eliza, Eva and Mary, all but the last named living. The death of but one in a family of fourteen children after they had grown to the years of maturity is perhaps unparalleled in the history of any other family in the state. It is evidence of a strong and vigorous ancestry, supplemented by correct habits of living on the part of the descendants, all of the children being fine specimens of physical manhood and womanhood.
The birth of Levi Huffman occurred October 20, 1850, on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He inherited a strong constitution and by faithful outdoor exercise early developed a vigor of body which enabled him while still a youth to perform a man' labor at all kinds of farm work. In the winter time he attended the public schools of Jackson township until his twentieth year, spending the other seasons as his father's assistant in carrying on the farm. He commenced life for himself by working a part of the home place on the shares, in addition to which he also rented land of his neighbors and in this way succeeded within a few years in getting a very good start in the world. He continued to live under the parental roof until his marriage, which was solemnized on the 31st of December, 1874, with Miss Martha COOLMAN, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKEE) Coolman, natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Huntington county, Indiana. Soon after taking to himself a wife Mr. Huffman moved into a little old log house on a forty-acre tract of land which his father subsequently purchased and during the seven years following he lived on this place and prospered in his labors. At the expiration of that time he took charge of the home farm for the purpose of looking after his father, who, by reason of old age and infirmities incident thereto was no longer able to manage the place or attend to his business affairs. With filial devotion and affection most commendable, the subject continued to care for his parents as long as they lived and after their death he sold a piece of land in Blackford county which he had purchased the meantime and bought the old family homestead. Since taking possession in 1883 Mr. Huffman has made the farm one of the finest in the township and, as already stated, he soon became one of the most enterprising farmers and stockraisers in the county of Wells. among the many valuable improvements which he has made are a large and commodious barn, erected in 1884, and the fine modern residence, built five years later, besides the other buildings which every first class farm contains. At the present time Mr. Huffman owns four hundred acres of land, all lying in the Indiana oil fields and on this are forty-seven producing wells which yield him the handsome income of seven hundred dollars per month. From this source alone he has become a wealthy man, the returns from his agricultural and live stock interests also adding very materially to the large fortune now in his possession. Mr. Huffman is a careful and conservative business man and has made many judicious investments, all of which return him a liberal margin. he owns a half interest in a large business block in the town of Warren and a number of dwellings and other property in Montpelier, and looks forward to making still greater investments in country and city real estate. He is now chiefly engaged in looking after his large business interests, but devotes a considerable portion of his time to the breeding and raising of fine live stock, in which industry he has a wide and growing reputation. Mr. Huffman pays especial attention to shorthorn cattle, of which he keeps on hand a herd of from twenty-fine to thirty-five, all first-class animals, many of them representing hundreds of dollars in value; he has also met with most encouraging success raising Poland China and Duroc breeds of hogs, supplying many of his neighbors and others with this valuable stock, besides marketing a large number every year, thus materially increasing his income.
With all his success as a farmer and business man, Mr. Huffman is quiet and unassuming in demeanor, having no desire to boast of his achievements, realizing that worldly wealth does not constitute truest riches. In the best sense of the term he is a Christian and as such looks upon material possession only as a means of accomplishing good among his fellow men. A number of years ago he united with the German Baptist church and began that religious life which has since characterized him and he is now one of the most active workers in the congregation with which he worships. His wife is also a member of the same communion and in many ways has demonstrated her faith in good works among those with whom she mingles. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have been kind and charitable to the worthy pool and no legitimate enterprise for the moral advancement of the community has ever appealed for their assistance in vain. They are highly esteemed by the people of their neighborhood and those who know them best are the most profuse in their praise. Mr. Huffman reads much and has decided opinions on the leading questions of the day. He has been a pronounced Democrat all his life and takes an active interest in local and general politics, never missing an election, unless unavoidably detained, nor hesitating to express his opinions upon the questions at issue.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Huffman has been blessed with two children, the older of whom is Ardella, now the wife of Watson HAYWARD, who lives on the subject's farm in Huntington county; Josephine A., the younger, married Daniel Roscoe HARDMAN and lives with her parents, her husband having charge of the home farm. Mr. Huffman has in his possession an old parchment deed, dated August 5, 1837, and bearing the signature of Martin Van Buren.
Bluffton News Banner, Friday, 22 June 1945
P1C6 & P2C1&2
Levi Huffman Is Claimed By Death
Levi Huffman Sr., 94, former Wells county commissioner, died at 4:25 p.m. Thursday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Charles Goodmiller, in Warren. He had been in failing health the past two years and was critically ill the past four weeks. Death was caused by infirmities of age. He had been at the daughter's home the past six years.
The decedent was one of the pioneer residents of Jackson township. He was born Oct. 20, 1850, on the farm known as the Wheatland farm in Jackson township, a son of Henry and Catherine Baker Huffman, who came to Wells county in 1840.
His parents entered uncleared land in Jackson township and he later came into full possession of this old homestead, having held the parchment deed bearing the name of President Martin Van Buren as evidence of title to the property.
He also assisted in clearing much of the 90 acres of land, part of which was cleared and placed in cultivation by his father. His father gradually added more land to the farm until the total reached 170 acres.
The first home of the family, where Levi Huffman was born, was a log cabin. In 1867 it was replaced by a more substantial frame structure and at one time was one of the best homes in the township.
Attended Rural School
Levi Huffman started doing hard work as a boy and during the winter months he attended a rural school. He attended school until he was 20 years of age. For a time he rented a part of his father's farm on shares and also rented other land from neighbors.
On Dec. 31, 1874, he claimed Miss Martha Coolman, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKee) Coolman as his bride and established a home of his own in a log cabin on a 40-acre tract of land purchased by his father. He prospered for seven years and then, as his father was growing old and unable to do farm work, he and his wife moved onto the old homestead. In later years he erected one of the largest barns and one of the finest homes in the county.
Interested in Politics
Mr. Huffman was always interested in politics and affairs of his home community. He served as a county commissioner from 1907 to 1910. In 1918 he served as a member of the Wells County hospital board. Both he and his wife were active members of the Church of Brethren denomination.
During his lifetime he was also engaged in other business activities, including operation of a lumber yard at Montpelier. He was also president of the old National Bank at Warren. At one time he owned several business buildings in Montpelier.
He and his wife were the parents of two children. Mrs. Charles Goodmiller, of Warren, and Mrs. Josephine Rife, who is deceased. Surviving also are a granddaughter, Mrs. Emmert Young, of Normal, Ill., and two foster grandchildren, Ward Denman, of Andrews, and Mrs. Verlin Eltzroth, of Wabash. Mr. Huffman was the last of his family.
The body was removed to the H. Brown & Son funeral home at Warren.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Methodist church in Warren in charge of Rev. F. M. Hollenberg and Rev. L. M. Hite. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery at Warren.
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Biographical Memoirs of Wells Co., IN, 1903, B. F. Bowen, Publisher, Pg 192 Submitted by: Colleen Rutledge
LEVI HUFFMAN
Among the enterprising men of affairs whose life and character are familiar to nearly every citizen of Wells county, the name of Levi Huffman stands out clear and sharp. Distinctly a progressive man and as such deeply interested in everything pertaining to the material advancement of the county, and the promotion of its industrial growth, he fills no insignificant place in public esteem, but on the contrary enjoys much more than local repute in the various vocations with which he is identified. Mr. Huffman is a native of Wells county and the son of Henry and Catharine (BAKER) Huffman, the father born in Clark county, Ohio, and the mother in the state of Pennsylvania. The father of Henry was Adam Huffman, one of the earliest settlers of Clark county; Mrs. Huffman was the daughter of Adam Baker, a representative of one of the oldest families in the part of Pennsylvania where he lived.
In 1840 Henry Huffman came to Wells county, Indiana, and entered the land in Jackson township now owned by the subject and at once began the preliminary work of clearing a farm. Up to that time the land was as nature created it and the first thing necessary was some kind of a habitation for the family. In a short time a log cabin of the conventional type was erected and it served the purpose for which intended until replaced in 1867 by a frame, one of the first buildings of the kind in the township of Jackson. When Mr. Huffman took possession of his place the woods were so dense that a person going fifteen rods from the house was in danger of getting lost. To clear away such growth and prepare the ground for tillage required an immense amount of hard labor, but by patient endurance the forest gradually disappeared before the woodman's sturdy strokes until in the course of time nearly all of the ninety and a half acres was in a fine state of cultivation. Later Mr. Huffman added to his original purchase until his place included one hundred and seventy acres of as fertile soil as the county could boast, and the farm is now considered one of the most valuable pieces of land in this part of the state. He made many substantial improvements and soon took high rank with the leading agriculturists of his township.
Mr. Huffman died on this place in the fall of 1883, just four weeks and three days after the departure of his faithful companion. This was his second wife, his first having died a number of years previously, after bearing him four children, Jacob, Catherine, Sallie and Peter, all living at the present time. The maiden name of the first wife was Elizabeth EVERSOLE. By the second marriage, to which reference is made in a preceding paragraph, Mr. Huffman was the father of ten children, whose names are as follows: Frederick, George, Henry, Lydia, John, Samuel, Levi, Eliza, Eva and Mary, all but the last named living. The death of but one in a family of fourteen children after they had grown to the years of maturity is perhaps unparalleled in the history of any other family in the state. It is evidence of a strong and vigorous ancestry, supplemented by correct habits of living on the part of the descendants, all of the children being fine specimens of physical manhood and womanhood.
The birth of Levi Huffman occurred October 20, 1850, on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He inherited a strong constitution and by faithful outdoor exercise early developed a vigor of body which enabled him while still a youth to perform a man' labor at all kinds of farm work. In the winter time he attended the public schools of Jackson township until his twentieth year, spending the other seasons as his father's assistant in carrying on the farm. He commenced life for himself by working a part of the home place on the shares, in addition to which he also rented land of his neighbors and in this way succeeded within a few years in getting a very good start in the world. He continued to live under the parental roof until his marriage, which was solemnized on the 31st of December, 1874, with Miss Martha COOLMAN, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKEE) Coolman, natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Huntington county, Indiana. Soon after taking to himself a wife Mr. Huffman moved into a little old log house on a forty-acre tract of land which his father subsequently purchased and during the seven years following he lived on this place and prospered in his labors. At the expiration of that time he took charge of the home farm for the purpose of looking after his father, who, by reason of old age and infirmities incident thereto was no longer able to manage the place or attend to his business affairs. With filial devotion and affection most commendable, the subject continued to care for his parents as long as they lived and after their death he sold a piece of land in Blackford county which he had purchased the meantime and bought the old family homestead. Since taking possession in 1883 Mr. Huffman has made the farm one of the finest in the township and, as already stated, he soon became one of the most enterprising farmers and stockraisers in the county of Wells. among the many valuable improvements which he has made are a large and commodious barn, erected in 1884, and the fine modern residence, built five years later, besides the other buildings which every first class farm contains. At the present time Mr. Huffman owns four hundred acres of land, all lying in the Indiana oil fields and on this are forty-seven producing wells which yield him the handsome income of seven hundred dollars per month. From this source alone he has become a wealthy man, the returns from his agricultural and live stock interests also adding very materially to the large fortune now in his possession. Mr. Huffman is a careful and conservative business man and has made many judicious investments, all of which return him a liberal margin. he owns a half interest in a large business block in the town of Warren and a number of dwellings and other property in Montpelier, and looks forward to making still greater investments in country and city real estate. He is now chiefly engaged in looking after his large business interests, but devotes a considerable portion of his time to the breeding and raising of fine live stock, in which industry he has a wide and growing reputation. Mr. Huffman pays especial attention to shorthorn cattle, of which he keeps on hand a herd of from twenty-fine to thirty-five, all first-class animals, many of them representing hundreds of dollars in value; he has also met with most encouraging success raising Poland China and Duroc breeds of hogs, supplying many of his neighbors and others with this valuable stock, besides marketing a large number every year, thus materially increasing his income.
With all his success as a farmer and business man, Mr. Huffman is quiet and unassuming in demeanor, having no desire to boast of his achievements, realizing that worldly wealth does not constitute truest riches. In the best sense of the term he is a Christian and as such looks upon material possession only as a means of accomplishing good among his fellow men. A number of years ago he united with the German Baptist church and began that religious life which has since characterized him and he is now one of the most active workers in the congregation with which he worships. His wife is also a member of the same communion and in many ways has demonstrated her faith in good works among those with whom she mingles. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have been kind and charitable to the worthy pool and no legitimate enterprise for the moral advancement of the community has ever appealed for their assistance in vain. They are highly esteemed by the people of their neighborhood and those who know them best are the most profuse in their praise. Mr. Huffman reads much and has decided opinions on the leading questions of the day. He has been a pronounced Democrat all his life and takes an active interest in local and general politics, never missing an election, unless unavoidably detained, nor hesitating to express his opinions upon the questions at issue.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Huffman has been blessed with two children, the older of whom is Ardella, now the wife of Watson HAYWARD, who lives on the subject's farm in Huntington county; Josephine A., the younger, married Daniel Roscoe HARDMAN and lives with her parents, her husband having charge of the home farm. Mr. Huffman has in his possession an old parchment deed, dated August 5, 1837, and bearing the signature of Martin Van Buren.
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