| JOSEPH CURRAN HUFF, SR. III |
| Taken from: 'Past and Prestent: A History of Iron County, Missouri, 1857 - 1994' Vol. 1; page 9: Joseph Curran Huff, Sr. (III), was born March 28, 1809, on an island in Sevier Co., TN, the son of Joseph Huff, II. January 25, 1827, he married Luvina KEAR and came to Iron Co., to clear land where the Baptist Home is located. Receiving word that Grandfather, Joseph I, had died, he went back to Tennessee to settle the estate, rowing across the river on a raft to reach the island of his birth. Like his father, young Joseph would have fist-fighting contests during the trips. Frequently Joseph moved before a cabin was completed -- a neighbor's chimney smoke was too close. Spring of 1831, while hunting, he wandered into the woods that later became Glover, a permanent location for Luvina and the babies, cool springs and Big Creek running nearby. He took his hides, animal tallow, and salted meat over a natural pass to St. Genevieve. Heavy snow imminent, with chimney unfinished, an animal skin for a door, Joseph warned Luvina to keep the fire going to ward off predators. The next day, panther tracks showed attempted entry. Known as thrifty, Joseph brought a bundle of cherry wood from Tennessee to build his own coffin. Luvina's Scottish practicality refused to allow it ... a corner cabinet stands tribute, today. Nighttime predators frequented the pig pen ... a brown bear seeking a pork dinner became the dinner, as did the accidentally killed pig. After mortally wounding a bear, Joseph crawled into a small cave, a rope tied to his ankle so companion "Ellington" could pull him out. The wounded bear growled, Joe yelled, Ellington pulled, Joe's head smacked a boulder and he was pulled "out cold." The family ate pork that night. Although enrolled in Co. F, White's Regiment, Mo Infantry Volunteers, Joe was exempted September 23, 1862, "being 53 years old." Joseph died June 15, 1882, and was buried in the Big Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Children: Matilda Huff, b. Oct. 17, 1827, married Rev. John Green, Baptist preacher; died 1915, Texas. William Huff, b. June 2, 1829, md (1) Mary Hampton, (2) Miss Eliza Caroline Thompkins, (3) Martha S. Thompkins. By family tradition started Battle of Pilot Knob. Sarah Huff, b. Jan. 25, 1831, md (1) William McFaddin, (2) William Swaringim. Mary Huff, b. Aug. 10, 1832, md Elias Lane, died Arkansas. Dianah Huff, b. Nov. 15, 1834, md Rev. Issac Lane; died 1898. Elizabeth Huff, b. Mar. 19, 1837, md Richard Rouse; died 1897. Joseph Curran Huff, (IV), b. Apr. 6, 1839, md (1) Rachel Smith, (2) Mary "Josephine" Sheppard. Jane Huff, b. May 31, 1841, md Alexander Robbs; died 1864. Nancy Huff, b Apr 17, 1843, md William Robbs, Jr. John Polk Huff, b. Dec. 22, 1845, md (1) Emeline Seal, (2) Jane Dunn. Luvina Huff, b Sep 29, 1847, md William Gilman. Caroline Huff, b Oct 16, 1850, md George Scoggin. Submitted by Eileen Martine Bone, 450 Franklin, Carlyle, IL 62231 |