Peter Huber

Greatly shocked indeed was this community last night on hearing of the sudden death of Mr. Peter Huber, who passed away at 6 o’clock last evening from heart trouble, with scarcely a warning to his household of the impending end. A doctor had been called Sunday but Mr. Huber had not felt bad enough to take to his bed, and only a few minutes before was out at his own gate.  

He had not been up town since last Friday, but had been around the house, one of his last acts being to call up Mr. Tom Butler, a near neighbor, over the phone and joke with him over the new connecting link between the two homes, the phone having just been installed. The deceased was in his 68th year.

Peter Huber was born at Passau, a leading city in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, on June 29, 1837. He was reared on a farm in his native land, where he received his education in the common schools of the district in which he lived.  In the year 1864, coming to the conclusion that the new world held greater possibilities for him than the old, which conclusion he abundantly proved in his busy life in this community, he emigrated to America, settling first in Clayton county, Iowa, where he purchased land and farmed.  

At Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin, he was married to Miss Theresa Reisinger and 1869 saw this pioneer couple move to Dakota, then a territory, and settle on the old Huber homestead in north Yankton County, on the James River, which place ever since has been the parental home of the family until its removal to Yankton a few years ago.

Although only an American by adoption, Mr. Huber was one of the most progressive farmers in this county; he early grasped the necessity of energetic effort, without which the pioneer failed to succeed.  To his great industry, which was natural to the man, he added honorable dealing, for which he was noted throughout the community; and excellent business foresight, which eventually placed him with the most successful farmers of the county.  At one time, before he deeded his holdings to his grown up family, he was one of the very largest property holders of this and Hutchinson counties.  

But it will not be for all this that the death of Mr. Huber will be so sincerely mourned.  He had another side to his character that appealed even more to those thrown in contact with him, and that was his true gentility and unassuming ways, coupled with a generosity that knew no limit, when he was appealed to.  

The old James River home was many a time the scene of lavish hospitality in the years past by, many owing their acquaintance with the family to some such occasion.   In the neighborhood where he farmed and raised stock for so long, Mr. Huber was recognized leader and did much to advance the cause of agriculture in that section.  A pioneer, in all that the word implies, is gone in Peter Huber and the county will join the family in its grief at the passing away of a good man, loyal husband and father, and a much respected citizen.

Mr. Huber was the father of fifteen children, of whom six are dead, and nine living.  Besides the widow, his children are as follows: Frank M., Peter L., Joseph E., Mary M., now Mrs. John Mack of Liberty, Neb., Catherine C., now Mrs. Patrick McGillick; Charles M., Bertha G., now Mrs. Gerard Smith, Cecelia and Josephine.  All are residents of this city or county, except Mrs. Mack, and with this exception gathered at the home on Douglas Avenue last evening, on the sad news being phoned them.  

Four brothers and two sisters also survive, Michael still living in Bavaria; Max in this city; Frank of Jamesville; John a resident of Herried, Campbell County, Nebraska and Miss Anna Huber and Mrs. Theresa Zitzelsberger of this county. Word has been received from Mrs. Mack that it will be impossible for her to come for the funeral, which will be held from Sacred Heart Church at 10 o’clock on Friday, Rev. Lawrence Link, officiating.

~ Daily Press and Dakotan, November 22, 1905

Note: The Yankton Community Library retrieved this article. His obituary was on the front page. However, another obituary, one for Frank Evans, also appeared on the front page. So, appearance on the front page may have been common.