Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 334 - 335

WILBUR A. HUFF. One of the active, prominent and enterprising citizens of Salem Township is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, who is at present engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 21. He made his first appearance upon the stage of life beneath the roof of his parents, John and Leonora (Green) Huff, in Allegany County, N. Y., March 12, 1852.

     The parents of our subject were both natives of the Empire State, their forefathers being among the noble band of Puritans who had settled on the bleak coast of New England at an early day, and who, some of them, at an early date settled in the wilderness of Western New York. Wilbur was one of a family of eight children, born to his parents as follows: Edgar, a resident of Cattaraugus County, N. Y.; Mary, the wife of Rev. F. E. Woods, of Buffalo, N. Y.; Ada, wife of J. H. Blessing, of Salamanca, N. Y.; Wilbur A., the subject of our sketch; Carrie, who is living in Allegany County, N. Y.; Orin, living in Cattaraugus County, in the same State; Bowman, a book-keeper in a wholesale establishment in Boston, Mass.; and Nona, a resident of Buffalo, N. Y. John Huff died in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1876, and the mother of our subject, who still survives, makes her residence in the county of Allegany, in the Empire State. The father was an ardent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a number of years filled the position of Deacon. He was engaged in the mercantile business, and for years was the Postmaster of Caneadea, N. Y. He was for the long period of forty-two years Superintendent of Sunday-schools and Class-Leader of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Caneadea, N. Y.

     The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in his native State, and while in his boyhood received the elements of a good education. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, which happy event took place on the 28th of April, 1874. Upon that day he led to the altar Miss Mary Shotwell, a native of Oneida County, N. Y., who was born Nov. 28, 1851. She was a daughter of Rev. Samuel and Patience (Bloss) Shotwell, both of whom came of English ancestry. The Rev. Samuel Shotwell was a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., and was married to Miss Patience Bloss Aug. 22, 1842, at her home in Annsville, Oneida Co., N. Y. By this union there were two children, a boy and a girl: Bloss Shotwell, who married Miss Sarah Lansing, and resides in Detroit, Mich., and Mary, the wife of our subject. When Mrs. Huff was but three years of age she was bereft by death of both parents, who died during the year 1854. From that time on until she had reached the age of womanhood and was married, she made her home with her uncle, John Shotwell, of Herkimer County, N. Y., from whose house she moved to that of her husband. In the spring of 1874 the young couple concluded to try their fortunes in the great and growing West, of which they heard such glowing accounts, and coming to Kansas and finding that half the truth had not been told them, settled in Sedgwick County, where they have ever since made their home. They located on a tract of unimproved prairie, but Mr. Huff by diligence, industry and superior management, and assisted in all his enterprises by his most estimable and devoted wife, has literally made for himself a farm of 120 acres of as good land as any in the township. His improvements upon the place are of a substantial character and everything about it manifests the thrift and prosperity of the owner.

     Mr. and Mrs. Huff have had their home brightened by the advent of two children: Nona, who was born Jan. 28, 1881, and Ernest, Aug. 8, 1883. Mr. Huff affiliates with the Republican party in politics, but has no aspirations for office. His virtues, which are wholly of a domestic nature, cause him to prefer the quiet of his own fireside in preference to the acclamations of his fellow-citizens, or the onerous duties of political positions. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed and respected members of the society which surrounds them, and enjoy the confidence and regard of all who know them. As an enterprising and progressive farmer, with ideas of his own, Mr. Huff has no superior in the southern part of Sedgwick County.

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