Surnames: Huckstead, Reed, Scott, Hills, Coffin, Mowe, White, Longenecker, Vornholt, Benedict, Johnson, Campbell

----Sources: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 21 Sept. 1933

Huckstead, Herbert Owen (4 May 1865 - 16 Sept. 1933)

About 2:30 o’clock Saturday morning, September 16, H. O. Huckstead passed away at his home on Pleasant Ridge, after an illness of about six months. On April 8, he underwent an operation which in a measure was successful in giving him temporary relief. For a time he gained in strength and was able to be about the house and ride out occasionally, but for the past few weeks he lost strength gradually until the end.

Herbert Owen Huckstead was born at Staplehurst, England, May 4, 1865.

When seven years of age he came to America with his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Huckstead, the family settling on Pleasant Ridge. In 1885 they moved to Iowa, Bert, as he was best known to his friends, being then a young of twenty.

He made occasional visits to friends and relatives in this community, and on Nov. 19, 1890, was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Reed of Pleasant Ridge. They settled on the Reed homestead which remained their home until 1917 when Mr. Huckstead was give the management of the Farmers’ Elevator lumber yard, continuing as manager after the business was sold to O. & N. Lumber Co. Last March he resigned and moved back to the old farm carried on by his son, Harold, remaining there until his death.

He was a member of the Masonic lodge and the Odd Fellow, and an active worker in the Kiwanis Club of which he was past president.

Any eulogy of Mr. Huckstead’s life and character would seem almost unnecessary. While quiet and unobtrusive in manner, he had taken part and been helpful in so many activities in this community that now words of praise can add to the esteem in which he was held by the many who knew him. Yet for the sake of establishing high ideals in those who are younger, it does seem fitting that such a life should have more than passing recognition and mention. He was a high type of Christian gentleman; diligent and competent in business and the affairs of men, but always found firmly on the side of those things which made for justice and righteousness. All his mature life he was an earnest and helpful worker in church and Sunday school, but holding a board and benevolent faith which accepted all men as brothers. He had a wide version of the purpose of life and met its tasks and its difficulties with a smiling tolerance and patience.

Mr. Huckstead has left to his community a rich heritage - the example of well spent years.

He is survived by his wife, one son, Harold Huckstead on the home farm; two daughters, Dorothy, Mrs. Jesse Scott, Neillsville, and Miss Ruth Huckstead at home. He leaves also five grandchildren and three sisters: Mrs. Elizabeth Hills and Mrs. Mercy Coffin, both of Bradgate, Iowa, and Mrs. J. F. Mowe, of Greely, Colorado.

Funeral services were held at the Masonic Temple Monday afternoon, Rev. Paul B. White was in charge of music, Rev. G. W. Longenecker read scripture and offered prayer and Rev. Edwin H. Vornholt preached the sermon.

The Masons and Odd Fellows attended in a body, the former taking part in the funeral services. The following out of town relatives and friends were also present:

Mr. and Mrs. Marion E. Benedict, Wauwatosa; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Benedict, Fond du Lac; Mrs. Elizabeth Hills, Bradgate, Iowa, sister of Mr. Huckstead; Judge Frank Johnson and sister, Mrs. Laura Campbell, Black River Falls, and Mess?s La Point, Boylen, Johnson and Becker from the O. & N. Lumber Co. headquarters at Menomonie.