HUFFMAN, Frederick B. - 1890 Bio (1842-1918)

HUFFMAN, MILLER, SKINNER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/11/2007 at 12:10:21

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 283-284

Frederick B. HUFFMAN is the senior partner of the firm of HUFFMAN & Herring, dealers in groceries and queensware, of Fairfield, Jefferson County. The firm was organized and began business on the 2nd of June, 1889, but Mr. HUFFMAN has continued operations in his present line for the past ten years. He is a native of Iowa, having been born in Lick Creek Township, Van Buren County, on the 1st of April, 1842. A sketch of his parents, Burke and Mary (MILLER) HUFFMAN, appears on another page of this work. Frederick B., was reared to farm life and received such educational advantages as the common schools of that day afforded. The first event of any importance which marked his life was his enlistment, at the age of nineteen years, in the country's service. On July 22, 1861, he became a member of Company H, Fifth Iowa Infantry and for three years followed the old flag. On the 24th of November, 1863, at Missionary Ridge, he was seriously wounded by a gun shot in the left shoulder, which disabled him for duty for some time. With his regiment he participated in many of the important engagements of the war, including the siege and second battle of Corinth, the battle of Iuka, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, the battle of Champion Hills, the capture of Jackson, Miss., the capture of New Madrid and the battles of Island No. 10 and Missionary Ridge. His term of service having at length expired, he was mustered out on July 22, 1864, receiving an honorable discharge as one who had done his duty on every occasion.

Shortly after his return home, Mr. HUFFMAN made a trip to Oregon, and in that State and Idaho engaged in mining, reaching Iowa in the month of October, 1866, after a two years' absence amid western scenes. Embarking in the drug business he did a good trade in that line in Birmingham until 1875, when he sold out. The succeeding year he traveled for a drug house, then engaged in clerking for a year and during the following three years devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1880, he embarked in the grocery business and with good success has continued operations in that line during the past decade.

In Jefferson County, Iowa, on the 24th of January, 1867, Mr. HUFFMAN was joined in wedlock with Miss Martha M. SKINNER, a daughter of Charles Darwin SKINNER, and a native of Van Buren County, where her family settled in an early day. The death of her father occurred in February, 1890, but her mother is still living in Birmingham. Socially, he is a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M. He does an annual business of about $15,000 and is regarded by all who have had dealings with him as a straightforward, upright business man.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.