JOHN RILEY HUFFMAN
John Riley Huffman, the popular city treasurer of Hartford City, Blackford county, Indiana, was born near Zanezville, Muskinggum county, Ohio, September 18, 1842, a son of Henry H. and Elizabeth ( Shick ) Huffman
Henry H. Huffman, a carpenter, came to Blackford county, Indiana, November 5, 1846, by wagon and located in Hartford City, where he resided until his death, March 25, 1883, and where his widow still lives. He and his wife were parents of nine children, who were born in the following order: John R., the subject of this sketch: William E. of Leed City, Dakota; Nancy A., deceased; Mary C., of Hartford City, Indiana; Josephine A., deceased; Jacob O.; Jane, deceased; Ella, wife of George Suyer, of Montpelier, Indiana, and Charles, a carpenter of Hartford City. The father of this family was a greatly respected citizen and in quite comfortable circumstances, and died in the faith of the Lutheran church. In politics he was a Democrat. John R. Huffman, it will have been noticed was but four years of age when brought to Hartford City by his parents, and here he has virtually passed his life and grown with the city’s growth. He was educated in the city schools, which he attended until seventeen years of age, and then began learning the carpenter’s trade with his father, with whom he continued to remain until he was twenty-three years old, when he embarked in business on his own account and conducted it alone until 1882. At this time he was elected county treasurer,served one term of four years and was complimented by being returned for a secondterm by a largely increased majority. Mr. Huffman then handled icefor a year and a half, then took his family to Charlotte, Michigan, dealt in patent rights three years, returned to Blackford county, Indiana, and for one year engaged in contracting at Montpelier. In 1891 he returned to the city of his first love, Hartford, and here followed his tradeuntil 1898, in September of which year he was elected to the office of city treasurer for the term of four years, and this office he now fills to the supreme satisfaction of all concerned.September 3, 1865 Mr. Huffman was joined in matrimony, in Hartford City, with Miss Adaline Ellis, a native of Blackford county, and a daughter of John Ellis, a well known citizen. One child, Clara Ida, was born to this union, but is now deceased; and on December 23, 1868, the mother was also called away. For his second wife Mr. Huffman chose Miss Rebecca Ellen Cooper, whom he married in Hartford City. This lady was born near Massillon, Ohio, June 25, 1851, and is the daughter of James and Susan Cooper, prominent residents of that county, but natives of Ohio and Michigan, respectively. This second marriage of Mr. Huffman has been crowned with six children, as follows: Harry Guy, a carpenter; Binnie may, wife of E.K.Sawyer, a musician; Parker Riley, a butcher; James C.H., Florence Ellen and John R. The family worship at the Presbyterian church and in politics Mr. Huffman is a Democrat. They reside in a handsome dwelling on North Jefferson street and socially stand very high in the esteem of all with whom they are associated.
Submitted by: Bernna
A history and biographical record of Blackford County
Copyright 1867, by Geo. Ogle & co.
[p.343 of the biographical record section]