Surnames: Huntley, Newcombe, Richardson, Schaller, Longenecker, Schultz, Langraf, Jacques, Zimmer, Paulus, Evans, Sturdevant, Wenzel, Hommell, McIntyre, North, Johnson, Thoma, O’Neill, Cleveland, Wilson

----Source: A Newspaper (Neillsville, Clark Co. WI.) June 19, 1919

Huntley, William, Sr. (25 March 1849 - 12 June 1919)

William Huntley, Sr. was born in Washington County, Wisconsin, on March 25, 1849. He died at his home in this city June 12, 1919. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon, services being conducted by Rev. Longenecker at the Congregational Church, and a very large number of sorrowing friends attending to pay their last tribute to this most estimable character. The pallbearers were over-seas veterans - Walter Schultz, Leroy Langraf, Wm Jacques, Pat Zimmer, Blucher Paulus, and Lyle Evans. The honorary pallbearers were J. R. Sturdevant, A. Wenzel, J. W. Hommell, Ira McIntyre, Gus North, H. C. Johnson, James Paulus and W. C. Thoma. A firing squad from the State Guard fired a salute at the cemetery.

William Huntley, postmaster of Neillsville, died at his home in the city Thursday, June 12, 1919. Mr. Huntley was born in Washington Co., Wis., March 25, 1849, and so was a little past seventy years old. He leaves surviving his wife, Mary, (nee Newcombe), his daughter, Mrs. Elva Richardson of Fargo, North Dakota., Mrs. Edith Schaller of Chippewa Falls, Wis., Miss Ellen Huntley and four sons, Charles of Minneapolis, Grover, William and John of Neillsville. There are eight grand children.

There survive also a brother, Thomas of La Crosse, with the Burlington Northern Railway, and Mrs. Anna Sufficool of Colorado Springs. All of the children except Mrs. Sufficool and both the brother and sister, are here to attend the funeral.

Remarks from James O'Neill at the funeral of William Huntley, June 15, 1919:

The following is a short sketch of the life of this honorable official and worthy citizen. Mr. Huntley was born on a farm in Wisconsin, his parents being of modest circumstances. He had only a common school education. His father died when the children were young and he had to work to support his mother and the family. He came to Clark County in 1868 locating in the forest of Weston. The mother and her four sons, William, Richard, deceased, John, deceased, Thomas and daughter Anna, came to Neillsville on the 26th day of March, 1869, just half a century ago, with two ox teams and two cows. William bought timber land and began to open up a farm, working in the logging woods in the winter. He met with steady success and became the owner of a fine farm in the town of Weston. He was agent for the Fox River Land Company and helped many families to locate and purchase land in the area. He loaned the settlers money and in many ways helped them in their efforts to build homes in the wilderness. In later years he was interested in lumbering operations on the Pacific Coast. Twenty six years ago he moved to Neillsville in order to afford his children better facilities for education.

Mr. Huntley's capacity and integrity have been many times recognized by election or appointment to public office. He was assessor of his town for fourteen years and chairman of his town several terms. He was mayor of Neillsville eleven years.

President Cleveland during his second term, appointed Mr. Huntley postmaster of Neillsville and he was again appointed to that office by President Wilson, serving until his death.

Now with the record of his life spread before us, how shall we write out appreciation of the character of our departed friend? This was a full round life of steady purpose and persistent industry. We quiet and unostentatious, but he was active nevertheless. His work was effective in whatever field he was engaged, whether in business or political life.

A passage of Scripture comes to mind in estimating the worth of such a character as that of my friend: "What, Oh Man doth the Lord require of Thee but to do Justly, to Love Mercy and Walk Humbly before God?"

The first requirement is to do justice. I am sure every man well acquainted with Mr. Huntley will say he was a just man. He performed every promise. He kept his engagements. He was honorable in all his business dealings. No flaw can be found in his record. He was a true loving husband and a good father.

He has a remarkable record of patriotic service to his country. As a boy of 15 he enlisted in the Army in the Civil War and served to its close. He certainly deserved the recognition he received from two presidents, of appointment to public off in his home town. He supported the government in the late world war ardently by his influence and liberally with his means.

His qualities were many times recognized by his election to offices in the town and city where he lived.

Another requirement to make the perfect man is that he should love mercy. It is not sufficient that one should be simply honest or just. Some honest men are small patterns. They may not pay their debts but they do little to promote happiness of society. Mr. Huntley contributed much in kindly aid and assistance of the early settlers in the town of Weston. Many families have been under obligation for his benefactions. So it may well be said in the language quoted, he loved mercy.

Mr. Huntley was not a member of any church, but I believe he was religious man. He contributed four hundred dollars toward the building of this Congregational Church and he has continued to support it.

He gave little thought to mere questions of theology, but I am sure he was a believer in the essentials of the Christian religion. He was a just man, he loved mercy and he walked humbly with his God.

I have known Mr. Huntley over forty years and my acquaintance have been intimate. I feel that I am parting with a good friend. The people of Neillsville and Clark County will long cherish his memory and remember him as one of our most worthy citizens. Earth's cares are over and the spirit of the departed hath entered into that higher life to be forever in the bosom of the Father.

(Submitted by Charlott Wells Jones)