C. D. Huffman Passes Away
Death Comes at Termination of Short Illness; Community Mourns His Demise
Charles D. Huffman aged approximately 72 years, passed on this morning at 2:30 o’clock at the termination of a short illness. Residents of this city and Mr. Huffman’s many friends throughout Eastern Oregon are sincerely mourning his demise, for with his passing on goes a man who played an important role in the building of Eastern Oregon.
The remains are at the Snodgrass and Zimmerman funeral service parlors.
Charles D. Huffman was born in Portland, on December 24, 1852, and then the parents soon moved to Lane county and shortly afterwards to Jackson county.
Five years later they returned to Lane county where Mr. Huffman received his earlier education. At the age of sixteen he went to Monmouth and completed a scientific course in the institution there. Subsequent to his graduation he joined the ranks of the educators and was numbered with the leading ones of his section for some time, having the distinction of holding one school for four years. Then he laid aside the garb of the instruction and bought a hop farm, and three years later had the sorrow to see the flood wash it away.
Came to Grande Ronde
Not daunted by this misfortune, he came to the Grande Ronde valley and rented a farm in March 1890, continuing in this occupation for eight years, when he purchased his present place, immediately northeast of La Grande, which then consisted of ten acres of fine land all in fruit, having all the varieties indigenous to this latitude. In 1898 he built a fine house, a commodious barn and good out buildings.
Politically Mr. Huffman was allied with the Populist party and with the Democratic party. While in western Oregon Mr. Huffman was nominated as assessor in his county on the Democratic ticket and although the county was Republican by nearly 200 majority, he was elected by 156 majority, being one of three that were elected on his ticket.
On July 20, 1886, Mr. Huffman married Miss Jerusha A. McAlister and two children have come to bring them joy and gladness, Fred M. Huffman and Etha S. Huffman. Mrs. Huffman, his mother came to this country in 1862, being one of the noble number that crossed the plains, enduring the hardships to bring here the joys of civilization.
Mr. Huffman was a member of the present tax conservation and supervision committee, was a circuit court bailiff, a prominent Mason, holding many important offices at one time or another in that order, and leaves a vacant place in this community that is mourned by all who knew him.
Funeral services of Mr. Huffman will be held Monday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock from the Snodgrass and Zimmerman Funeral Service Parlors and will be charge of the Masonic lodge.
La Grande Observer After 24 Nov 1923
Contributed by: Tom Childers