JOSEPH E. Huber was born on February 21, 1869 in Iowa and was brought to Dakota by his parents. Peter Huber, the subject’s father, was born in Possan [Passau], Bavaria, Germanv, about 1838, his parents being agricultural people.
He [Peter] came to America about 1871 [1864] and settled at McGregor, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for about one year. At the end of that time he purchased twenty acres of timber land and at once commenced clearing and cultivating the ground.
After three years he exchanged this land for a yoke of oxen, a cow and a wagon, and with these he moved his family overland to South Dakota, settling in Yankton county, in the James Valley.
He [Peter] preempted three claims of one hundred and sixty acres each, two of which were timber claims, and afterwards purchased three more claims of the same size and character.
He erected buildings and farmed the ground as fast as his limited resources and his own physical strength would permit, and successfully conducted the place until 1901, when he removed to Yankton and retired from active life. He still owns six hundred and sixty acres of the original farm, the remaining portion of it having been divided among his sons.
Before leaving Germany he married Miss Theresa Reisinger and they became the parents of fifteen children, of whom eleven are still living, namely: Frank, whose sketch will be found on another page of this work; Caroline, the wife of Frank Heinige, of Parkston, South Dakota (they became the parents of ten children and the mother is now deceased); Joseph is the subject of this sketch; Peter, who lives near Parkston, married Kate Wallace, of Yankton, and they are the parents of five children; Mary is the wife of John Mack, of Gage county, Nebraska, and they have six children; Katie is the wife of Patrick McGilig, of near Hanson, this state, and they have two children; Charles married Bertha Rothmyer and they had three children, one of whom is deceased; Theresa is the wife of Nels Anderson, of Yankton, and they have two children; Bertha became the wife of Gerald Smith, of Yankton; Celia, Josephine and Louisa are single and remain at home. Two, Peter and Edward, died in infancy, and Anna died at twelve years of age.
At ten years of age Joseph E. Huber entered the public schools and his preliminary studies were supplemented by a course in Yankton College. He thus gained an excellent education and for three years he taught in the public schools, proving a capable educator who imparted with readiness and clearness to others the knowledge that he had acquired.
On the 9th of October, 1892, Mr. Huber was joined in wedlock to Miss Emma Rothmeyer, who was born in Iowa. Six children have graced this marriage, five of whom are now living, while one has passed away. Those who still survive are Clara, Anna, Martha, Joseph and Mildred. The daughter who is deceased was Eleanora.
The home farm of Mr. Huber comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land, most of which he cultivates, and his energy and activity in business affairs are bringing to him very creditable success. Since he was eighteen years of age he has been a member of the school board and he has also been chairman of the board of supervisors.
He filled the office of justice of the peace for a term of two years and in all these positions he has been loyal to the trust reposed in him. Over the record of his public career and his private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
He is a man well worthy of public regard and as almost his entire life has been passed in Yankton county his career is known to be one that is worthy of commendation, gaining for him the favor of all and the friendship of many.
Mr. Huber was tendered the nomination of representative, but not wishing to serve in that capacity refused to allow his name to go before the convention.
He has always been affiliated with the Democratic party, and always takes an active part in his party’s campaigns. He is an active member of the Roman Catholic church, and attends the St. Agnes church, of which Father Byrne, of Yankton, is the officiating minister. Mrs. Huber is an active member of the same church and the children are regular attendants of the Sunday school.
Mr. and Mrs. Rothmeyer, parents of Mrs. Huber, moved from Iowa to South Dakota in 1883. The mother died in 1894, and the father is living a retired life in Yankton. He was again married.
~ The History of South Dakota, 1904, Doane Robinson
Memories of Life on the Prairie
This is adapted from an account written by Paul, the youngest child of Joseph and Emma:
Our home, just two miles from my grandpa and grandma Huber’s farm, stared out with two rooms, a cellar and attic. Later, more rooms were added, as there were eight children born here – 6 girls and 2 boys, of which I am the youngest.
Curious, friendly Indians visited our farm as they made their way to and from Missouri by following the James River. They traded their furs and animal skins for food, trinkets, beads, etc. We were also visited by gypsies. medicine men and strangers walking through the country looking for work and a place to eat and sleep. Mother and dad tried to be good to these people.
Mother was a very good cook and she loved the outdoors. She liked to ride horses, and plant and raise huge gardens. She also worked in the fields and raised chickens.
From little on, we all helped in the garden, milked cows, and did the farm chores. We provided most of our own food. Pigs and cattle were butchered and the meat canned and salted and the lard rendered.
Joseph Dies on a Trip to California
Joseph died on October 29, 1930 when he was in Los Angeles receiving cancer treatment. He was 63 years old.
Joseph (m. Smith), his eldest son, remembered how small and frail his mother, Emma, looked when she returned on the train carrying her husband’s casket. Emma would live for another 17 years.
Because he died before they were born, neither Joe or Dan knew their grandfather. However, Joe does have many fond memories of his grandmother, who lived until 1947. Unfortunately, the 10 year old Joe found his grandmother’s body when he made his usual visit to her house after school. By this time, Emma lived in town.
