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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
FRANCIS HUBER, a baker, was born in Ba- den, Germany, Feb. 4, 1804. He is a son of Joseph and Theresse Huber, natives of Baden. They were the parents of four sons, two living-Francis, the subject of this sketch, and Joseph, a resident of California. Francis Huber was reared in his native land, receiving a liberal education. When eighteen years of age he was ap- prenticed to the trade of baker, serving for a period of two years and receiving for his services only his board. In 1831 he left Germany for America, landing in New York, where he estab- lished a bakery, and continued in the business for six years. In June, 1837, he removed to and set- tled in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and remained until 1849, when he came to this city, arriving May 2 of that year. Here he started the first bakery in Oskaloosa, which, like the town at that time, was on a very small scale. Mr. Huber was married in New York City in October, 1833, to Miss Christina Englehart, who died in that city, Oct 1,1834, and he was again married, Feb. 17, 1835, to Miss Mary Bachman. By this union there were four children, viz.: George was born in New York City, Feb. 8, 1836. In 1852, when he was sixteen years old, his father sent him across the plains with a man from Keokuk, who proved a hard master, and he left him at Omaha; he was afterward killed by the Indians near Muscle Shell, Mo., as was also his wife. Joseph enlisted in the 14th Illinois Infantry with the three months' men, and re-enlisted in the same regiment for three years or during the war. Upon the or- ganization of the colored troops by the War De- partment, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the 58th United States Colored Regiment, and is at present residing at Fayette, Miss., and engaged in cotton raising. Mary J., deceased, was the wife of George Steach. John M. enlisted in the 4th Iowa Battery, which was sent to New Orleans and stationed for a time at Carrollton, and afterward at Thibo- desux, La.; he was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, with his command at the close of their tern of service. Mrs. Huber died Aug. 4, 1850. She was an acceptable member of the Baptist Church and was greatly respected by all who knew her. Oct. 29, 1859, Mr. Huber was again married, to Mary Ann, widow of Joseph Huber. By this union there was one child, Frank, now a resident of Oska- loosa. Mrs. Huber died in 1871. When Mr. Huber came to this county he was very poor man, and did any and all kinds of work whereby he could earn an honest dollar. In his early life he was an old-line Whig, then a Repub- lican, but at the present time a Democrat. At the time Black Hawk, the famous Indian chief, was taken prisoner, Mr. Huber saw him and also saw Gen. Jackson. In 1835 Mr. Umber was initiated as an Odd Fellow, in Lodge No. 13, and is probably one of the oldest living Odd Fellows in the State, he having affiliated with that order for fifty-one years. He is also a member of Oskaloosa Encamp- ment No. 16. He is probably the oldest baker in the county or State.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy