Huff, J.B. (1863-1909)

HUFF

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Daily Freeman Tribune, Webster City, Iowa, Friday, April 9, 1909

THE PASSING OF J.B. HUFF

Died This Morning at Four O'Clock at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital - Pneumonia Was the Cause

THE COMMUNITY IS SHOCKED

One of the Most Prominent Business Men in Webster City - Will be Widely Mourned

J.B. Huff, one of the most prominent and best known business men in Webster City, died this morning at St. Joseph's Mercy hospital at about four o'clock. Although everybody familiar with his case knew he had been in a very critical condition during the past ten days, the final announcement comes as a distinct shock to the community. Mr. Huff was taken to the hospital ten days ago suffering with a serious attack of pneumonia. Later jaundice set in and the complications arising therefrom were more than his physical condition could bear. He has had the best medical attention, the most careful and constant nursing and has made a heroic fight, but the vital spark could not withstand the onslaught of the grim reaper and at an early hour this morning he passed to his final rest.

Mr. Huff was forty-six years of age at his last birthday, Jan. 5, 1909. The family came to Webster City in 1892 - seventeen years ago. Mr. Huff came to this city to accept a position in the Chas. Crary hardware story. In April, 1895, Mr. Huff and Aug. F. Mueller formed a partnership and bought the Crary hardware business. They continued the business under the firm name of Huff & Mueller for about seven years. Mr. Mueller buying Mr. Huff's interest, and the latter retiring from the firm Jan. 28, 1902. Two years after this - in 1904 - Mr. Huff bought the Clagg hardware store and a year later - in 1905 - the Webster City mercantile Company was organized. Mr. Huff was elected president of the company and his hardware business was merged with the new company. The deceased was one of the prominent and active members of the Mercantile company from its formation until the present time.

The death of J.B. Huff is mourned throughout the entire community. Few, if any business men in Webster City, are better known or have a wider circle of warm friends than he. That he should be cut off in his prime while in the midst of a successful business career is one of the inscrutable mysteries which frequently confront the human mind and which it is unable to fathom. And those who are left to mourn the great loss of a loving husband and father will receive the heartfelt sympathy of all their friends in unstinted measure.

Mr. Huff was an active member of the Congregational church and stood for all that is best and highest in the line of good citizenship.

The deceased is survived by his wife, two sons and one daughter - C. Bryant, Douglas and Miss Heather Huff. He also leaves three brothers and six sisters.

The time for the funeral service has not yet been settled. A message has been sent to Douglas, the youngest son, who went to Idaho only a few weeks ago, and he has not yet been heard from.