Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameRichard Wallace Huskins
Birth21 Oct 1803, Chester Co, PA
Census30 Sep 1850, Uniontown, Fayette Co, PA
Memoroll#779, pg 183
Census1856, Pleasant Valley, Johnson Co, IA
Census21 Jun 1860, Fremont, Johnson Co, IA
Memoroll#327, pg 609
Census5 Jun 1870, Fremont, Johnson Co, IA
Memoroll#400, pg 277
Census1880, Lone Tree, Johnson Co, IA
Memoroll#348, pg 265
Death11 Sep 1885, Lone Tree, Johnson Co, IA
BurialLone Tree Cem, Johnson Co, IA
Memomid section row 15
OccupationFarmer
ReligionMethodist Episcopal
FatherJohn Patterson Huskins (1778-1851)
MotherElizabeth Davis (1778-1855)
Misc. Notes
Richard is listed in Uniontown, as the Prothonatory, age 46 in 1850. Listed with him are his wife and 10 children. For many years he acted as clerk of the Supreme Court of Pensylvania.
He moved with his family and parents from Pennsylvania to Johnson Co, IA in April/May 1856 to settle on Government land available in Fremont township. The family home was on the east side of the road across from the Lutz’s. In 1860 he is listed in Fremont, IA as a farmer with $4,000 of land and $800 of personal property at age 56. Listed with him are 10 children, with John being married and living next door, and Rebecca being gone from the home, while Richard and Franklin were born in the interim. Also listed with the family are Rachel (40) and Rebecca (42) who would appear to be sisters of Richard; dau Margaret’s husband died in 1858, and her two youngest children, Wm (4) and John (3) Lutz are also listed in the household.
They had 12 children - John P., Margaret, Elizabeth, James C., Rebecca, Joseph W., Rachel, Mary, William S., Samuel B., Richard W., and Franklin. Records include another son, John Davis, but he is not included in the 1860 census.
In 1870 he and Charlotte are listed only with thier sons Richard Jr and Franklin.
In the 1880 census he is listed as 76 and a grocery keeper.
[Obituary] Washington County Press
Richard Huskins, father of Hon. J.P. and J.C., died at Lone Tree on Friday PM in his 82nd year. He was P.M. there. The Messrs. Huskins and W. Wilson jr and their wives attended the funeral. We learn, later, that he was born Oct 21, 1803 in Chester Co, PA, came to Iowa May 1, 1856 settling in Johnson Co; was for 52 years a consistent member of the M.E. church, and was esteemed by all who knew him.
[Transcribed from a multiple generation photocopy, by Jack Edward Eden, 20 Jan 2002. Clipping is copy of one kept in the Devoe bible.]
In the death of venerable Richard Huskins, Esq., of Fremont township, Johnson county, has lost one of its best known and best liked citizens, a man of whom one who knew him intimately has said, "He was a gentleman of the old school, always a gentleman and never anything but a gentleman."
Richard Huskins was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 21st, 1803, and died at his home in Lone Tree, on Friday last at the going down of a day's sun, that marked to those about his bedside the earthly sun setting of a spotless life that had shone in truth and integrity beyond the remembrance of any there present save one.
As a young man he seems to have received more than an ordinary education, and to have fitted himself for the law. About 1840 he was appointed clerk to the commissioners of Fayette county, and held that place over seven years, until his election as Prothonatory and clerk of the court of common pleas, which office he ably filled for six years. In 1856, believing the west offered better prospects for his family he removed to Iowa, and located in Fremont township, where that year he entered about a quarter section of government land, and which yet remains in his family. On this farm he made his home until his sons grew to age and strength for its management, when he made his home in the village of Lone Tree, and latterly carried on a general store business. Here he served his neighbors acceptably in the office of justice of the peace and township clerk, year after year. In these places though brought into contact with the disturbing vexations and contentions of those about him, he never lost a friend nor made an enemy, his integrity was never questioned nor his conscientiousness doubted. Those who knew him best mourn him most deeply, and from all the many associated with him in thirty two years of active life we have heard by one expression, "he was a good man." It is a great deal to say of one that he was "good," yet an unblemished life of four score and two years; the training into esteem and honored manhood and womanhood of a large family: the patience, gentleness and helpfulness that marks one devoted to the service of God; the contentment of heart and spirit that neither envies nor covets the personal life as untarnished as that before men;--if these characteristics mark the "good man," then was Richard Huskins good.
During all his years of manhood he had believed in and faithfully adhered to the political principles advocated gby the democratic party, and while ever anxious for the public triumph of those principles he was not fixed in any partisan caste. On the incoming of a democratic administration, his friends with little reference ot party lines, urged him as the village postmaster, and he received the appointment to that office, which he filled less than a month. It came to him unsought, as did all other public place, and in accepting it, he conferred added honor upon the office.
Despite his advanced age, Mr. Huskins was vigorous and hale, due not doubt to even tempered and temperate course of life. Yet he seemed to have a premonition of the approaching end for on his last visit to Iowa City, when he came to add his presence to those who joined in the memorial obsequies to General Grant he said to a friend, "I think this is the last time I shall be in town, I feel as though I would not see you again." On that Monday he had arranged to come to the city with Mr. Doerres, but excused himself with the remark that he did not feel very well, and might take cold by exposure. His illness rapidly developed into acute pneumonia, against which all medical skill availed nothing. He sank peacefully to rest, and only a few moments before the last said to the faithful wife who for over half a century had walked life's path at his side, his helper and counsellor, "I am going away a little while, but I will soon come back for you." And the sad shock of his death has so heavily fallen upon her who best knew him as to make his words almost prophetic.
For over half a century Mr. Huskins had been a consistent and active member of the Methodist church, modestly and faithfully holding its tennets as his own. His funeral took place on Sunday last from the village church, the sermon being preached by Rev. Baser, and was attended by all the towns people and as many from the surrounding homes as could reach the place.
Mr. Huskins married about 1827 in Pennsylvania, Miss Charlotte Wells. Twelve children were born to them, of whom nine survive -- John P., the eldest, of Washington, a member of the twentieth Iowa general assembly; Frank and Richard, who live on the homestead farm; James of Brighton; Bryant, for a number of years resident in California; Mrs. S. J. Devoe, of Lone Tree; Mrs. Bovee and Mrs. Malin, of Washington; and Mrs Calvert residing in Kansas. These children, now men and women, with families of their own, have inherited the grand qualities that made their parents loved and respected by all, and in their daily lives testify to a noble heritage of truth and virtue.
Spouses
Birth28 Feb 1808, Washington Twp, Fayette Co, PA
Death26 Feb 1886, Washington, Washington Co, IA
Burial1 Mar 1886, Lone Tree Cem, Johnson Co, IA
Memomid section row 15
FatherTunis Wells (1745-1809)
MotherMargaret Williams (1767-1845)
Misc. Notes
Grave registration lists her birth in 1808, while the Fremont township history lists it in 1807. She is listed as 42 in the 1850 census and 52 in the 1860 census, indicating that 1808 is more likely correct. Her obituary confirms that it was 1808.
Charlotte was married in 1827 to Richard Huskins, and they lived in Uniontown, Fayette County where they raised a large family until after 1850. They migrated to Johnson Co, Iowa about 1856, according to the township history.
In 1880 census she is listed in Lone Tree, IA with her husband, Rich Huskins (76) a grocery keeper, also born in PA.
Was living in Iowa in 1882 according to Ellis' History of Fayette Co. At the time, she was the only living member of her family.
[Obituary] Washington County Press
Mrs. Richard Huskins, mother to Hon. J.P.H. and the well known sons and daughters, died Friday, Feb. 26. Had she lived till Sunday she would have been 78 years old. She came with the family to Iowa from Pennsylvania in April, 1856, and lived many years in Johnson Co. The golden wedding was celebrated in Feb, 1877. Her husband died last fall in Lone Tree, and she had been inexpressibly lonely ever since, tho cared for most tenderly by the children. She was the mother of 12. The body was taken to Lone Tree for burial Monday. For long years this good mother in Israel had been a devout member of the M.E. church, and all who knew the sweet-souled saint felt a mild Christian atmosphere whenever in her presence.
[Transcribed by Jack Edward Eden from a multiple generation photocopy of a newspaper clipping from the Devoe bible.]
Mrs. Charlotte (Wells) Huskins relect of the late Richard Huskins, of Lone Tree, died on Friday of lask week, at the residence of her son, John P. Huskins, in Washington Iowa, having attained her seventy eighth year within a single day. The funeral took place in Lone Tree on Monday, from the Reformed church, Rev. Buser officiating. The death of her husband, whose companion in life's journey she had been for over fifty years, in September last was an affliction from wich she did not fully recover. The devoted attachment of those tow lives was such as to excite the admiration of all who knew and enjoyed their acquaintance. Mrs. Huskins was a pioneer of Johnson county, and her acts of love and friendship through a long life endeared her to a large community. She had filled out a good old age, and goes to rest possessing the tenderest love of her children and the sympathy and respect of a throng of friends.
Marriage15 Feb 1827, Fayette Co, PA
ChildrenJohn Patterson (1827-1897)
 Margaret K. (1830-1901)
 Elizabeth (1832-1913)
 James Caulson (1833-1905)
 Rebecca (1835-1905)
 Joseph Wells (1836-1877)
 Rachel Ann (1841-1907)
 Mary (1843-1917)
 William Sharpless (1845-1868)
 (Samuel) Bryan (1847-1907)
 Richard Wallace (1850-1917)
 Franklin (1853-1924)
Last Modified 22 Jan 2017Created 5 Aug 2023 using Reunion on a Mac