During the 1900's, many emigrants came from Europe, settling on prairie land. Among those were the Huck and Kindsvater families, coming from a German settlement, in Russia, bringing their customs and religions. John Huck, the third child of Phillip and Charlotta (Bohl) Huck, was born March 21, 1988 in Huck, Russia, and came to the United States when seventeen years old, becoming a citizen in 1920. He enjoyed the life of a farmer, renting ground near Ray, Kansas, and later buying near Boise City, Oklahoma.On December 30, 1912, he was united in marriage with Lydia Kindsvater, at Coldwater. Lydia was born in Southern Russia August 28, 1893, the first child of Jacob and Eva (Birig) Kindsvater. When she was five years old, she came with her family to Pawnee Rock, Kansas in 1898, living in the Larned area until her marriage. John rented a farm for them near Ray, where their 4 children were born,-Kenneth, Eugene, Vaughn and Maxine (Bratcher). Only Kenneth and Maxine are living at this time. John was confirmed in the Reformed Evangelical Lutheran Church as a child, later adding his membership to Lydia's in the Ashland Christian Church. His neighbors and friends knew him as a fine man, honest and reliable in all his business dealings. In later years he developed emphysema, which caused his death, April 18, 1968. He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery beside his wife and son Eugene.
In 1927 the Huck family moved from Pawnee County to Boise City, Oklahoma. Soon winds covered buildings, the orchard, pasture and fields with drifts of ashy soil. Thru 8 years of hardships, Lydia found strength to keep making quilts and crocheting, endlessly cleaning dust out of their house. In 1935, they moved back near relatives in Comanche County. They sold their holdings in Oklahoma, and later bought property near Ashland, Kansas, building a new farmstead along the hiway. On December 30, 1962, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in their home, with children and grandchildren hosting the occasion.
After John's death, Lydia moved to Pioneer Lodge when failing health prevented her from living alone any longer. A twice removed goiter severely damaged her heart, and she had a malignancy and gall bladder disease. Fourteen grandchildren often visited in their grandparents home, always finding a snack of homemade rye bread or rolls. Lydia died August 9, 1974. Both of them were in their 80's and had lived a life of hard work, being thrifty and frugal and were able to live comfortably in later years. This was an accomplishment for a young 17 year old boy who arrived at Ellis Island with less than a quarter in his pocket, after being smuggled out of Russia to Hamburg, Germany, by a Russian Jew. He learned to speak and read printed English, studying with his children at home. Lydia encouraged the grandchildren to make honor rolls in school by gifts of money. John had 1 sister and 4 brothers. Lydia had 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Only Edith is still living. The family burial plot is at Coldwater in Crown Hill Cemetery.
By Luane Huck, daughter-in-law.
Comanche County History, published by the Comanche County Historical Society, Coldwater, Kansas, 1981. (Thanks to Bobbi Huck for transcribing and contributing the above history.)
The Protection Post, April 26, 1968. John, the third child of Charlotte Bohl and Phillip Huck, was born March 21, 1888, near Saratov in Russia, and passed away at the Ashland Hospital, April 18, 1968. He came to the United States in the fall of 1905, and became a naturalized citizen November 8, 1920.Obituary of John Huck
After farming for others several years, John was able to start farming for himself. He enjoyed the life of a farmer, watching his crops grow, waiting for seed time and harvest each season.
On December 30, 1912, he was united in marriage with Lydia Kindsvater at Coldwater, Kansas. To this union were born four children, Kenneth, Eugene, Vaughn, and Maxine. As a child, he was confirmed into the Reformed Evangelical Lutheran Church. After moving to the Ashland neighborhood in 1948, Mr. and Mrs. Huck attended the Christian Church in Ashland and during the ministry of John Ball, Mr. Huck, was baptized and placed his membership in the Christian Church.
After fifteen years in the Pawnee County community, the family moved to Boise City, Oklahoma. During the years there, they endured many hardships during the dust bowl years. After eight years, they moved back to Comanche County in Kansas. In 1948, Mr. and Mrs. Huck moved from the Harry Large farm to the T. H. McMinimy farm which they had bought and built a new set of improvements. This was a comfortable home to the Huck's for these past twenty years. During recent years, John's health gradually failed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Phillip, Jake and Oswalt, and one sister, Mrs. Marie Buckman. He is survived by the widow, Lydia, one daughter, Mrs. Maxine Bratcher of Puyallup, Washington and her children; Mrs. Gayle Hueber, Bryon, Connie, Patty Jo, Sherryl and Cindy. Three sons: Kenneth and wife, Margaret, of Protection and their children, John and Jane; Eugene and his wife, Laune, of Coldwater, their children; Mrs. Peggy Brosius, Terry, Shirley, Anita and Tomi; Vaughn and his wife, Dorothy, of Protection and their daughter, Mary.
He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Katie Yokel of Lincoln, Nebraska. Also two brothers: George, of Chase, Kansas and Manuel of Coldwater, Kansas; seven great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends and neighbors.
Mr. Huck was a fine husband, a wonderful father and a loving grandfather and great grandfather. His neighbors and friends knew him as a fine man, honest and reliable in all his business dealings. Although in failing health for several years, still he enjoyed his family and his home. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Related Links:
Jacob and Eva (Birig) Kindsvater
Search for Kindsvater at the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news obituary to this web site!
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