HUFFMAN, Douglas - Putnam

Douglas HUFFMAN. Among the numerous Kentuckians who cast their lot with Indiana during the formative period of the state was Edmund Huffman, a man of sterling qualities and exemplary character who became one of the most influential men of his community. He was born Aug 16, 1824 and was about 9 years old when brought to Putnam County from the old homestead in Nelson Co KY by his parents, Peter and Cynthia Huffman. The family was of German descent and being seasoned by the early colonial struggles and the dark days on the border, their descendants were of the material to make hardy pioneers of new states. When this family came here, Indiana was still decidely crude, giving little promise of the great commonwealth famililar to those living in the 20th century. Edmond went through all the privations and vicissitudes incident to pioneer days. There was plenty of hard work and not much play; the state, however, was filled with fine game, the hunting of which had much to do in training the youth to outdoor sports from which they derived strength and health to meet the inevitable hardships incident to clearning the land, opening roads, building cabins, burning logs cut from the seemingly inexhaustible forests and doing all the other things essential to the making of a state from the raw material. Edmond Huffman settled in Sec 18, Washington Twp in 1836. On April 5, 1849, he married Louisa Ann Rightsell, who was born Aug 9, 1830, the daughter of George and Margaret Rightsell. At the age of 19, Edmond Huffman started out to do for himself, worked six months for William Alexander near Gosport, Indiana at $5 a month, at the end of which time he gave all his wages, 30 dollars, to his father, who soon afterwards made him a present of a colt worth $15. It is said at the time of his marriage Edmond Huffman could neither read nor write, but by the aid of his good wife he soon acquired both and finally became well informed on the current topics of the day, and from a very humble beginning he worked hard and managed well, success attending his efforts, until at one time he was the owner of 1800 acres of valuable land, and while he was laying by an ample competence for his old age and his family he did not lose sight of his duty to his neighbors, but did his full part in the development of the county. Being an ardent Democrat, he took a prominent part in the struggles incident of the old day sof Whigs and Democrats. He was strictly a self-made man and altogether was a fine type of the men who made Indiana. He was a believer in the predestinarian Baptist doctrine. On his farm in Washington Twp was held the first court seen in Putnam county. The death of this highly honored and public-spirited citizen, successful farmer, kind and generous neighbor and indulgent father, occurred Sept 7, 1900 soon followed to the mystic land by his faithful life companion, Mrs. Huffman passing away Dec 14 of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman were parents of 12 childre, 8 of whom surviving: James Roberts born Jan 25, 1850; Maria E, born Oct 6, 1851; Cephas born Jan 28, 1853 died Feb 20, 1853; John A born Jan 1, 1855; Douglas of this review was 5th in order of birth; Ian born July 31, 1859; Daniel Vorhees born March 22, 1864; Lucretia A born May 13, 1863; General Jackson born Sept 6, 1868; Margaret born March 20, 1870; Greeley R. born June 23, 1872. Douglas Huffman was born May 10, 1857 and grew up to be a worthy son of a worthy sire, assisting him in the farm work during his boyhood and youth meantime obtaining a fair educaiton in the local schools. He was diligent in his studies, went through the common schools to graduation and afterwards was engaged in teaching for two years in Washington Twp. After his experience in the school room he embarked in merchandising at Reelsville and for a period of 22 years conducted a general store at that place. He built up an extensive trade and was very successful. In 1900 he retired to look after his farms, being the owner of two excellent places, one of 270 acres in Wash Twp and one of 293 acres in Owen Co. He utilizes these tracts to carry on general farming and stock raising, not branching out into fancy farming, but contenting himself with raising the staple cereal crops and feeding all the livestock the land will fairly support. His land is well tilled and under modern improvements. Mr. Huffman makes his residence in a fine, attractive home in one of the best residence sections of Greencastle, where the many friends of the familya re delightfully entertained. The presiding spirit of the home is a lady of refined tastes and amiable disposition, known in her maidenhood as Mollie Baumunk, whom he married on April 20, 1884; she was born and reared in Putnam County where her people were always well respected. This union has resulted in the birth of 3 children. Of these, Murry and Morris E. died in infancy; Merle C. born in 1896 is attending high school.

Mr. Huffman's fraternal associations are with the Masons and he is s member of the Greencastle Lodge No 473 of that order. He is also a member of Lodge No. 1077 Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of Greencaslte. Mr. Huffman occupies a conspicuous place among the representative citizens of Putnam County and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His record demonstrates that where there is a will there is a way and that obstacles to success may be overcome by courage and self-reliance. His career, though strenuous, has been fraught with good to his fellow men and his example is cordially commended to the youth of the land whose life work is yet a matter of the future.