My Genealogy Hound

William D. Huff was born in Vermont, near Burlington, in 1819, and when about ten years of age was taken to Essex County, N. Y., where he grew up and received a common-school education. Upon reaching manhood he began working as collier in New York, and soon rose to the position of superintendent, and for several years followed this calling. In 1845 he married Sophronia Merrifield, a native of New York, and in 1857 they came to Missouri, and settled at Iron Mountain. For over twenty-three years he was superintendent of the coaling department for that company. When the furnace abandoned the use of charcoal, Mr. Huff moved to the farm where he now lives, which consists of 220 acres. In 1886 his wife died at the age of fifty-nine. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, Mr. Huff being also a member of the same. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1857-58 represented St. Francois County in the State Legislature. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. The following four children were born to Mr. Huff and wife: Emily A., Fannie S., Merrifield W. and Ada U. All are married and have families. The parents of Mr. Huff, John and Sallie (Wiley) Huff, were both natives of Vermont, he being of German and she of Irish descent. He was a farmer by occupation, and a soldier in the War of 1812. They were both of the Quaker faith, and were highly respected citizens. She lived to be about fifty-eight years of age, and he eighty-three. In their family were seven children, Mr. Huff being the third.