My Genealogy Hound

HERBERT W. HUFFMAN. Among the residents of Springfield who have acquired a fortune by a persistent course of industry and wise economy, and who are therefore enabled to spend their later years in comfort and a release from the cares of life, is the gentleman above named. He was born on a farm in Springfield Township, Clark County, May 20, 1821, being a son of Herbert Huffman, of whom a more extended notice will be found in the biography of Lewis A. Huffman. He was but a year old when his father died, and eight years old when his mother came to Springfield to reside. Here he attended school quite steadily, and would have prosecuted his studies still farther, had not the home been broken up by the death of his mother when he was nineteen years old.

Mr. Huffman when quite young had begun work on the farm, receiving from $5 to $12 per month for his services, and he also worked for John Fifer, breaking bark at twelve and a half cents per day. Thus in his youth he had begun to practice the habits of industry, diligence and thrift which afterward secured him a competence. After his mother’s death he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, which he followed nineteen years. During this time he had saved $1,600 of his earnings, with which he opened a hat store on Main Street, between Limestone Street and Fountain Avenue. He soon added boots and shoes to his stock, and carried on a very successful business, accumulating a considerable fortune. While still in this business he made an unfortunate venture in the oil fields of Pennsylvania, by which $30,000 of his property was swept away. After an active business career of twenty years he sold out, and since that time has been living a retired life.

The pleasant home of Mr. Huffman is located on South Limestone Street, and is presided over by a lady who became his wife in August, 1848. She was known in her girlhood as Harriet W. Foley, and is a native of Harmony Township, of which her parents were pioneers. Her father, Thomas Foley, was born in Scotland, and her mother, Sarah Bear, in Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Huffman one son has been born, who was christened William Scott. He married Mary B. Black, a native of Scotland, who has borne him two daughters Hattie and Hazel. He is now doing a good business as a merchant tailor in Lincoln, Neb.

Mr. Huffman has served on the County Board of Equalization and as a member of the Board of Health. He is a charter member of Lagonda Council, No. 151. The success he has met with since beginning his career as a poor boy exemplifies his business tact and. capabilities, and affords an excellent example to penniless young men, proving that honorable dealing and persistence are effectual in subduing untoward circumstances. Both he and his wife have many friends, the high regard in which they are held being due to their characters and lives.