CAVE-IN-ROCK, Ill. (June 27, 1935) — John Samuel Hufsey of near
Cave-in-Rock will be eighty-one this fall.
On the list of Hardin County citizens who have counted their four score
years or more, we may include the name of John Samuel Hufsey, who was born
and has spent his entire life in the vicinity of Cave-in-Rock. Mr. Hufsey
was born on the 11 October 1854, and hence within a few months will pass his
80th milestone. He comes from one of the sturdy pioneer families who settled
in this part of Illinois during the early period of her history. His
great-grandfather was a German sailor who left the sea and with the
adventurous spirit which characterized our forefathers, made his way across
the wilds of a new country and sought a home in the hills of what is now
known as Hardin County. Among the prized possessions of some of the members
of the Hufsey family are relics from off the ship on which he sailed.
Here his children were born and here they made their home and raised their
families. One of the sons was Samuel who was born on the farm which is the
home of Mr. and Mrs. John Tyre. It was the farm home for a time and on it
the old grandfather was buried. Samuel Hufsey became the husband of Matilda
Sawyer, who was a native of Gerogia, but who was brought by her parents to
Illinois when quite a child.
To their union were born ten children, the 4th one being John Samuel Hufsey,
the subject of this narrative, of these ten children. Two brother and one
sister died in infancy and another sister at the age of four, one brother
Charlie, died in his early manhood and another one George, passed away about
eight years ago. There are two brother and a sister still living. They are
W. F. Hufsey, who lives about four miles north of Cave-in-Rock, Dennis
Hufsey, who is 76 years of age and who lives on what is known as the Sam
Winn farm and Mrs. Mary Ledbetter, who lives near Cave-in-Rock with her son
Charles. All of the family have spent their years in Hardin County to which
their great grandfather came so many years ago.
When John Hufsey was a little lad of four, his parents moved from the farm
on which he was born to Haney Creek below the Charlie Ledbetter place and
five miles north east of Cave-in-Rock. After a short time they moved again
to a new home at which place they built on the hill which is now Mr.
Ledbetters home and where they remained the greater part of their married
life. He attended the Old Round Top school now known as Martin School and
recalls the Old Webstyer Blue Backed Spelling book which was the chief text
book of those days. He also well remembers the men who were teachers of the
school. Perhaps some of these names are familiar to some of the older
readers of this sketch. The first instructor was John T. Simmons, another
one was William Jackson, father of Mrs. Dora McDowell of Cave-in-Rock. John
Jenkins who was mentioned as a brother of the late William Jenkins in the
history recently published, also included was mentioned Henry Winders.
He also remembers that his father used to go to work at the old Paper Mill
at Sellars Landing. One morning on his way to work, the father found a wolf
among the sheep, and, after killing it, came back to tell his boys about it.
In those days deer and wild turkey was plentiful and the family owned a pet
deer.
Mr. Hufsey helped his father to clear the land, remaining with him until he
was past thirty years of age. He recalls the old-time log rollings at which
the neighbors gathered in those days. He and his father raised potatoes
which they shipped on the boats plied the river furnishing the chief means
of transportation. On February 4, 1885, he married Miss Anna Okerson at the
home of her parents who were the late Albert and Mary (Winn) Okerson. He
first built a little home on his father;s farm, the present Charlie
Ledbetter place, but remained there but a few months. They moved then to the
George Boyd place where they lived for about one year. The next two years
were spent on the farm where Mr. Dewey Green now lives. They then went to
the farm which he still owns and where he lives, about four miles north of
Cave-in-Rock. His son John now manages the farm for the last 18 years. Mr.
Hufsey has been unable to do such active work.
He and his good wife lived together for forty-eight years, though their
lives were saddened by her failure in health soon after their marriage. For
thirty-four years she was almost an invalid and for the last fifteen year of
her life she was confined to her bed.
Five children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy. Those who are
still living are Mrs. Mamie Crow whose home is about four miles north of
Cave-in-Rock, Mrs. Eunice Gibbs, who is near the Lambert school, and John
who lives on the old home place. There are also eleven grandchildren.
Mr. Hufsey has been an industrious and thrifty farmer and during his active
years took a deep interest in everything pertaining to the success of his
farm. While he is now unable to do the hard work, he still takes an interest
in it, the care of the chickens being his special task. For one of his age,
he is fairly active, his hearing is good and he can see to read without
glasses. He is a quiet and home-loving nature but greatly enjoys the
companionship of his friends and neighbors. Their visits are a source of
much pleasure to him and occasionally he is able to take short trips to see
them. The present generation owes much to families such as this to which Mr.
Hufsey belongs and we are sure all join in a wish that he may live to enjoy
many more years in the county to which his forefather came so long ago.
Thanks to Wanda H. Reed for contributing this article to the Hardin County
ILGenWeb site. The Hardin County Independent first published this article on
June 27, 1935.
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