HUXFORD, Edward Dunn - 1914

HUXFORD, BOTHWELL, BIDDLE, HOLLY

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/8/2009 at 00:17:14

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

EDWARD DUNN HUXFORD.

For a long period the name of Edward Dunn Huxford has figured prominently in financial circles and his business standing and reputation are indicated in the fact that in 1900 and 1901 he was honored with the presidency of the Iowa Bankers Association. His active business career makes him well known as a representative of banking interests in Iowa and all who have business relations with him have found him reliable, enterprising and progressive. A man of well balanced capacities and powers is always a strong character and one who inspires confidence in others; he may not have genius or any phenomenal characteristics, yet he is capable of mature judgment of his own capacities and of the people and circumstances that make up his life contacts and experiences. He is eminently a man of business sense and easily avoids the mistakes and disasters that come to those who, though possessing remarkable faculties in some respects, are liable to erratic movements that result in unwarranted risk and failure. A man of well balanced mind, even temper and conservative habit is not necessarily lacking in enterprise of the kind that leads to great accomplishments. What a man does and what he attains depend largely upon his opportunities. But the well balanced man mentally and physically is possessed of sufficient courage to venture where favoring opportunity is presented, and his judgment and even paced energy generally carry him forward to the goal of success.

Mr. Huxford was born in Albion, Michigan, on the 27th of July, 1863, a son of Frederick W. and Mary (Bothwell) Huxford. The year 1869 witnessed the arrival of the family in Iowa, settlement being made at Cherokee, where the father became a merchant. After conducting his business successfully for a number of years he sold out and retired, enjoying well earned rest to the time of his death, which occurred in December, 1885. His widow survives and is now a resident of Springport, Michigan. His political support was given to the democratic party and he was always a public-spirited citizen. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the countrys call for troops and, enlisting in Company M of the Michigan Regiment of Engineers and Mechanics, held the rank of first lieutenant. Unto him and his wife were born three children: Charles B., now living in New Bedford, Massachusetts: Edward D.; and Clayton W., who died in 1887.

The second son, Edward Dunn Huxford, was a young lad at the time of the removal of the family to Cherokee. His early education was acquired in the public schools and he later entered Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the class of 1885, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He studied bookkeeping and for six months was employed as bookkeeper in Steeles Bank at Cherokee. By the firm of S. A. Kean & Company of Chicago, bankers and bond brokers, he was employed for one year as teller. Subsequently he returned to Iowa and, settling at Washta, organized the bank of Huxford, Robertson & Patton, with which he was connected for a short time. He next organized the Cherokee State Bank, of which he has been president since 1906. Few men are better informed concerning financial conditions than is Mr. Huxford. He studies the banking business from every possible standpoint and is thoroughly informed concerning the money market. While he seeks progress, his progressiveness is tempered by his safe conservatism and none ever question his business integrity or the honesty of his methods.

Mr. Huxford was married in September, 1890, to Miss Eva R. Biddle, a daughter of C. F. and Corelia (Holly) Biddle, of Cherokee. They became parents of a daughter, Helen C, who is at home with her parents. The family has long been prominent socially and both Mr. and Mrs. Huxford have an extensive circle of warm friends. Mr. Huxford belongs to two college fraternities, the Phi Beta Kappa and the Beta Theta Pi. He is a prominent figure in banking circles throughout the state and his ability and popularity led to his selection for the office of president of the Iowa Bankers Association for the years 1900 and 1901. Mr. Huxford has ever merited the rewards of business and the honors which have come to him as well as the esteem in which he is held by those who are most closely associated with him. In all matters of citizenship he stands for that which works for the best interests of the community and he holds to high ideals of life in every relation. Anyone meeting Mr. Huxford face to face would know at once that he is an individual embodying all the elements of what in this country we term a "square" man—one in whom to have confidence, a dependable man in any relation and any emergency. His quietude of deportment, his easy dignity, his frankness and cordiality of address, with the total absence of anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is ready to meet any obligation of life with the confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability, right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities. Such is the record of Mr. Huxford, who following the lead of his opportunities has gained a place with the leading representatives of financial interests in Iowa.