Elmer Huber the missionary

Elmer "Deutsch" Huber was Roy's older brother.

It appears he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Germany between 1912-1914.... this is interesting on so many levels, especially in knowing that he returned to Germany four years later to fight in WWI against the very people he had just preached the gospel to.  

(Check posts on his military experience to see that he arrived just in time for the war to end, thus his battle front exposure was fortunately limited...)

Photo from the personal albums of Shirley Jensen.

The back of this photo states, "Dear Pal, A remembrance.  With love and best wishes.  Nothing to good for this boy.  Jan 8, 1913"

I'm assuming the photo was sent home to someone in Midway?

Newspaper notice:

SOURCE: Wasatch Wave 1912, April 12, p.5

Newspaper notice transcribed:

... A farewell dance was given Wednesday evening for Elmer Huber who leaves next week for a mission to Germany.

 Passport:

SOURCE: ancestry.com
Exact source details are directly below the record on the image.

 This passport is great, as it gives a written description of Elder Huber's appearance and build, and indicates that he plans on leaving the country for two years.

Church Document:

SOURCE: LDS Church History Archives,
emailed to me by request in Aug 2012

This document is dated information from 18 Apr 1912, likely from the Swiss/German mission log of events.  On the day noted "Monday, July 1" it states that Elmer Huber of Midway, Utah arrived into the mission field along with several others.

Photos & Notes:

Photos from the personal albums of Shirley Jensen

I've included these photos in their original scanned state as there were so many scrawled notes of value on the page as well.  The bottom corner note states: "To: Charles ? Wilson, pictures and letter from his daughter Melissa Smith.  Wilson was on a mission in England"

The following are those photos (and captions) broken down accordingly. 

I'm assuming this is a group shot of his mission at the time.

The note associated with this one reads: "Dessau in Germany, 8-26-13.  Left to right- top to bottom. 6. Parry was in jail 11 days, 7. Huber, 15. Mrs. Valentine, 16. Pres. Valentine, 17., 18.  Best Greetings, Dein Bruder Huber"

I'm assuming the numbering correlates with those in the photo.  This is great insight to know the Mission President's name, but unfortunately no one else is identified... except poor Elder Parry.

Associated note states: "Spandau in Germany, April 18, 1914.  With sincere Love, From you friend and Pal Huber"

Apparently, you could grow a fantastic mustache on your mission 100 years ago...

Elder Huber and companion
Associated note states: "Dessau, Germany, 8-26-13.  Love and best wishes with lots of kisses from the Dessauers.  Huber your Pal. P.S. my hair is long enough to comb now"

More Photos:

Photo from the personal albums of Shirley Jensen

This photo came with no further details, but based on the style of clothing, I'm assuming this is a photo taken in the mission field of Elder Huber (standing third from left) and his missionary buddies.

Church Document:

SOURCE: LDS Church History Archives,
emailed to me by request in Aug 2012

This document is dated information from 15 Oct 1914, likely from the Swiss/German mission log of events.  It indicates the outbreak of war in Europe and the Church's decision to release "nearly all" the Elders currently serving in the Swiss/German mission at the time.  Elmer Huber's name is on that list.
There is something faintly written to the right of each name, but my copy will not allow me to make it out.  I'm assuming they are release dates.

Photo from the personal albums of Shirley Jensen

I'm gonna take a stab in the dark here and say that this was Elder Huber and a mission buddy either coming or going from the mission field, as this photo states that it was "Taken in Kansas City" and the fellow he's sitting with looks an awful lot like the fellow two down to the right of Elder Huber in the previous photo... 

Ship Manifest record:

SOURCE: ancestry.com
Exact source details are directly below the record on the image.

This fantastic record shows that Elder Huber returned to the United States by sailing from Liverpool, England and landing in St. Albans, Vermont in Sept 1914.  There are a handful of others on the list who have their origins in Utah, so I'm assuming there were a whole crop of missionaries returning home with him.

Church Record Card:

SOURCE: LDS Church History Archives,
emailed to me by request in Aug 2012

This card indicates the mission service dates and locations for Elmer Huber.

Photo from the personal album of Kathryn Walker

Elmer Huber is seated in this photo on the far right, and as no notes exist with this shot, I was initially under the impression that this too was a missionary photo... but upon closer inspection, I believe this photo was taken in Heber City, Utah, not too long after Elmer returned from his mission.  I say this because the fellow standing behind Elmer just to the left looks INCREDIBLY similar to his brother Dean who died in 1922.  I can't account for the absence of Frank and Roy, but the structure to the left looks a lot like the old Tabernacle on Heber's Main Street.  Until someone can correct me, I'm going to assume this photo was taken after a Church Conference, or after Elmer's missionary homecoming (he's even got the same hat in all his photos!)  Regardless, it's a nice shot, and I'm happy to come across another photo of Dean Huber in the process.