HUFFMAN, Ferree Beswick: 1876-1906

BESWICK, HUFFMAN, DOWNWARD, HARNESS, MORRIS, DAY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 12/23/2013 at 13:57:08

FERREE B. HUFFMAN

Ferree Beswick Huffman, only son of John R. and Melissa Beswick Huffman, died at Rupert, Idaho, Oct. 26, 1906, at the age of 29 years 11 months and 2 days.

Ferree was born at the Huffman home one mile south of Stockport, Nov. 2, 1876, and was the youngest of a family of six children, four of home survive him and were present at the funeral, excepting his sister in Idaho. His surviving sisters are Mrs. Cora Harness of Clarence, Mo., Mrs. Ella Downard of Rupert, Idaho, Mrs. Nettie Morris of Stockport and Mrs. Jessie Day of Moravia, Iowa. His sister Carrie died when about two and a half years old in 1869; his mother dying March 6, 1880, and his father Aug. 17, 1898. Ferree spent his life at the old home until the fall of 1903, at which time he took a trip through the south and west as far as the Pacific Coast returning the following fall with the Dakota people. A part of the following winter was spent in the east visiting in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other places. In the spring of 1905, he went west again locating on a homestead near Rupert, Idaho, near his brother-in-law, James Downard.

About five weeks before his departure from this life and while working on a canal near by and which was to furnish water for his farm he contracted typhoid fever which caused his death. His sister and family in Idaho, together with friends were with him when the summons came while his sister, Jessie in response to a telegram of his backset was crossing the mountains arriving there only a very few hours after his death.

His remains were brought to Stockport Wednesday evening, and the funeral was from the Christian church Thursday at 11 o'clock, the interment at Winchester cemetery beside his father, mother and little sister. Elder Wheeler of Keosauqua delivering the sermon; the secret societies having charge. Ferree was a member of the K. of P., I.O.O.F. and A.O.C.W. societies and was a faithful and consistent member, always ready to help the needy, considerate of his friends who were numbered by his acquaintance, and over a ever a foe of the wrong. His departure has cast a gloom over his old home that can only be effaced by time. To us who knew him best the words of the poet more nearly express our feelings than any we can pen:

"I can not say, and I will not say,
That he is dead. He is just away!

And concludes:

"Think of him still as the same, I say;
He is not dead-he is just away!"
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STOCKPORT
**Handwritten: 1906

Saturday evening a telegram was received by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Mooris announcing the death of Mr. Ferree Beswick Huffman at Rupert, Idaho. Nothing further has been learned except they expected to start with the body for home Sunday. It is possible they may reach here Tuesday evening but probable it will be Wednesday. Ferree had lived here all his life until two or three years ago when he went to California. Returning the following summer he remained here most of the time until the spring of 1905 when he went to Rupert, Idaho, where he took a claim and where he has since lived. It is probable he died Friday night the 26th at the age of 29 years, 11 months and 2 days. Typhoid fever was the cause of his death. Ferree was well liked by all with whom he was acquainted. He leaves four sisters to mourn the loss of an only brother. They have the sympathy of the people here.
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The people of Stockport and vicinity were shocked to hear the sad news last Saturday that Ferree Huffman was dead. Ferree was highly respected here having been born and raised to manhood near Stockport. He died in Rupert, Idaho, with Typhoid fever. The body will be brought back and funeral services held in the Christian church at 11 o'clock Thursday morning.
**Handwritten: 1906

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 382, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA