During the Depression, he worked on a WPA project in Yankton. On pay day, he only kept the wages he needed. He gave the rest to his married co-workers who had families. As a single man, he assumed they needed his money more than he did.
Joseph had to wait to marry the girl of his dreams, Kathleen Agnes Smith. When they married in 1936, Joseph was 35 and Kathleen was 34. Supposedly the reason for the delay was so Kathleen could donate some of her earnings so her siblings could attend school. Or was she simply playing hard to get?
In July 1937, Joseph Henry was born. As a baby, he could not keep any food down. At six months, he weighed less than he did as a newborn. The night before the baby was to undergo an operation, a nun from Mt. Marty, who had been to Lourdes sprinkled some holy water from the site on Joe. The next day the baby kept his food down. His parents cancelled the operation.
Four years later, Daniel Dennis was born. Although the two brothers would not grow up on the farm that had been in the family for generations, they have fond memories of the place. Once while pretending they were soldiers in the war, Daniel had greased up his face. Upon seeing this, his father cleaned him up and quipped, “now, you be sure you do that again.” Taking him at his word, the little boy did just that a few hours later.
In 1945, Joseph and Kathleen were forced to auction off the farm and its contents. What had been Peter’s original homestead was prone to flooding. After selling the farm, the family moved to town. Joseph P. took a job with the OCCO. Ironically, a picture of him as little boy with a 965 pound pig is labeled “and no OCCO.” Among other products, he sold a Tatge back scratcher for cows – something farmers truly needed for their livestock – it was a bestseller.
It is a sad irony that in a family steeped in a commitment to local education, he had to drop out of school at the end of the eighth grade to help with the farm. As you may recall, his father had been on the school board at age 18 and had even attended Yankton College so he could teach.
Paul (m. Stevens) , Joseph’s younger brother lived and worked on the farm on the hill – referred to as the “top farm,” – where Peter and Theresia would eventually settle. Joseph and Paul had grown up on the farm which their father had inherited. We do not know if a Huber still owns this farm today or if the original house still stands. If you do know or have pictures, please let us know.
The Wedding Announcement of Joseph P. & Kathleen Agnes
At St. Columba’s Catholic Church in Mayfield on Thursday, September 17 at 9 o’clock am a nuptial mass was read by Father Bernard Cahill uniting in marriage Kathleen Smith and Joseph P. Huber.
The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Henry Smith of Walshtown. She was graduated from Yankton High School and has been employed at Fantle Brothers for the last three years. The bridegroom is the eldest son of Mrs. Emma Rothmeyer of Utica.
The bride was charmingly gowned in a brown crepe sheer with hat and accessories to match. She wore a jeweled penchant which was worn by her mother as a bride.
The attendants were Ms. Mary Slowey of Yankton, a niece of the bride; and Paul Huber, brother of the groom as best man. Miss Slowey was becomingly gowned in rust with hat and accessories of brown. Immediately after the wedding was a breakfast served at the home of the bride’s mother. Guests were Father Cahill, Mrs. Emma Rothmeyer, Utica; Mrs. Peter Slowey and Jeanne; Mrs. Eugene Rossman; Eleanor Slowey and Kathryn Lingren, all of Yankton. Also of Yankton was Roy Smith, brother of the bride and his wife as well as their children: Patsy Ann, Jean Ellen and James.
Also attending were: Mrs. Jennings Jackson and her sons, Jimmie and Billie of Sioux City; and the Gemill family of Volin.
Following the breakfast, the couple left for their honeymoon in the Black Hills and Yellowstone Park. Upon their return, they will live in Utica.
Miss Smith was honored at a pre-nuptial shower on Tuesday at the home of her mother, Mrs. Henry Smith of Walshtown. Mrs. Eugene Rossman was an associate hostess. The evening was enjoyed in visiting and the honored guest was showered with gifts for the new home.