Huber, Phillip Joseph 1847 – 1903

HUBER, GAERTNER, SCHISSEL, WATERS, BECKER, GEISING, KOCH, HAUBER, BROGHAMMER, SLUKA, KRUMM, ETTELDORF, MEYER, LANSING, HEMSATH, CASSIDY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/29/2015 at 11:29:18

PHILLIP JOSEPH HUBER.

Upon the roll of Winneshiek county's honored dead appears the name of Phillip Joseph Huber, a name that has been held in high honor and respect in this section of Iowa since pioneer times and which still stands as a synonym for integrity, honor and straightforwardness in all the relations of life. Mr. Huber witnessed practically the entire development of this county, bearing in the work of upbuilding a worthy and useful part, and thus it was that in his passing the section lost one of its most valued and representative citizens.

He was born at Oldenburg, Franklin county, Indiana, March 19. 1847, and is a son of Francis Joseph and Mary Ann (Gaertner) Huber, the former born at Berne, Switzerland, in May, 1811. He came to America in a sailing vessel about the year 1833 and pushed westward to Ohio and thence to Franklin county, Indiana, where he married. His wife was born in France on the 28th of February, 1821, and her father served under Napoleon, taking part in the burning of Moscow. The family afterward came to America, making the journey on a sailing vessel which, after being pursued by pirates and meeting with other dangerous adventures on the high seas, landed safely at New Orleans, where the Gaertner family lived for a short time. They afterward moved northward to Franklin county, Indiana, where on the 10th of October, 1843, Miss Gaertner was united in marriage to Francis Joseph Huber. Mr. and Mrs. Huber continued to reside in Indiana until 1849, when they came as pioneers to Winneshiek county. Iowa, locating in what is known as Old Mission, in Washington township

The Huber and Gaertner families built the first chapel in Winneshiek county and on the 13th of June every year anniversary services are held there. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Joseph Huber lived for many years in Washington township, the father dying November 23, 1888, and his wife in October, 1901. Both were people of exceptional qualities of mind and heart and many sterling traits of character and were widely known and highly respected in the community where they had resided since pioneer times. The father had always taken a prominent part in public affairs, cooperating heartily in all movements for the advancement of the county along .any line, and for a number of years did able service as justice of the peace, being the first man to hold this office in Winneshiek county. He and his wife became the parents of fourteen children. Philomena is the widow of John Schissel, formerly a farmer in Winneshiek county. Phillip Joseph is the subject of this review. Louis, who was born December 8, 1848, now resides in Calmar. Mary, who was born at Old Mission, became the wife of Harvey Waters and is now deceased. Barbara, who passed away at Fort Atkinson in 1911, was born at Old Mission on March 19, 1850, and became the wife of William Becker, of California. Anna, born November 18, 1853, married Conrad W. Geising, of Calmar, who passed away in June, 1909. His widow now resides at Superior, Wisconsin, where a number of her children are located. Henry William was born at Old Mission on the 3d of July, 1855, and died in infancy. George Henry was born at Old Mission, August 21, 1856, and is now a resident of Calmar, Iowa. Caroline, whose birth occurred also at Old Mission on the 9th of November, 1858, married Antone Koch, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rose was born at Old Mission on the 9th of December, 1860, and married George Hauber, of Calmar. Louisa, born at Old Mission, July 31, 1862, married Charles Broghammer, a farmer residing north of Decorah. Frank, also a native of Old Mission, born December 14, 1864, married Veronica Sluka and they are residing on the old home farm. Josephine, born June 3. 1866, at Old Mission, married Charles Krumm, of Fort Atkinson. Julia was born January 12, 1868, and is now the wife of Henry Etteldorf, a merchant of Ossian, Iowa.

Phillip J. Huber was brought by his parents to Iowa when he was but three years of age and was reared upon the homestead at Old Mission, acquiring such education as the schools of the newly-settled community afforded. Amid conditions of pioneer life he grew to manhood and when he began his independent career naturally turned his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared, following farming upon a tract of land near Fort Atkinson, known as the Huber homestead. Understanding his business thoroughly in principle and detail, success steadily rewarded his well directed labors and he became prosperous and successful, his farm reflecting everywhere his careful supervision and practical management.

In early manhood Mr. Huber was united in marriage to Miss Frances Meyer, a daughter of Andrew Meyer, who was a farmer of this county, and to their union were born the following children: Joseph, who is engaged in merchandising at Fort Atkinson; Regina, the wife of William Lansing, a farmer near Ossian; Annie, who married Herman Hemsath also engaged in farming near Ossian; Leo. of Fort Atkinson; Celia; Edward; and Adelaide, who married Daniel Cassidy of New Mexico, deceased; Clara, Michael, Albert and Edward, all of whom live at home; and Fred, who is justice of the peace at Fort Atkinson.

Mr. Huber gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and in matters of citizenship was eminently progressive and public spirited, cooperating in any movement or project for the advancement of the community. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church and in his honorable and upright life exemplified the doctrines in which he believed. He will not soon be forgotten in the community where he had resided since pioneer times and where his neighbors and friends had learned to respect him for his energetic and progressive spirit and to rank him among the prominent men of his locality. His death in the midst of a useful career was regarded as a distinct loss not only to his family and friends but also to the community which his labors had aided so greatly in upbuilding.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913

St. John's Cemetery
 

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