Henry Albert Huber was LeRoy's father.
The following is his written history, author unknown but likely a direct descendant of his. This document was found in the personal albums of both Rhea Merkley and Doris Sessions.
Photo has been inserted by me.
The following is his written history, author unknown but likely a direct descendant of his. This document was found in the personal albums of both Rhea Merkley and Doris Sessions.
Photo has been inserted by me.
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| "Henry Albert Huber" Found in the personal albums of Rhea Merkley |
Biography of Henry Albert Huber
Henry Albert Huber was born in Midway, Utah, October 7,
1867, the third child of John (Johannes) Huber and Maria (Mary) Magdalena
Munz. He was blessed November 17,
1867 by his father.
His father immigrated to Utah in 1863, leaving his native
country, Switzerland, on May 3rd. The ship, Antartic, carried 300 passengers and was on the
ocean 49 days.
His mother, also a native of Switzerland came to the United
States in 1863. They were both
with the Peter Nebeker Company arriving in Utah October 13, 1863. Just a few days later on October 18,
1863 they were married at Payson, Utah at the home of John Diem by Bishop
Fairbanks. In the Spring of 1864
they moved to Provo Valley locating in the upper settlement of Mound City. To them were born fives sons and five
daughters.
It was on the Huber ranch at Snake Creek that Henry spent
his early years. He was baptized
by John Watkins on August 8, 1880.
Henry was a handsome man of medium build. He was 5’10” in height and weighed 150 pounds. His eyes were blue his hair was brown
and he sported a 42” chest.
Henry Albert and Margaretha (Maggie) Abegglen were married
in the Logan Temple, December 9, 1891.
They resided in Midway where five sons were born to them. Elmer the oldest was born September 19,
1892; Henry Lyman March 1, 1894 and lived seventeen days before his death. He was buried in the Midway
Cemetery. Frank Ervin was born
June 1, 1895, LeRoy April 1, 1897 and Albert Dean January 11, 1899.
Many Swiss families settled in Midway. Albert’s elder brother, John, married
Elizabeth Gertsch, a first cousin to Margaretha. These two families along with Susie Probst, Elizabeth’s
sister and her family often had Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners together,
taking turns in the preparation of the meals. These families enjoyed this particular tradition and looked
forward to coming to Uncle Al’s and Aunt Maggie’s home.
Al had a big bear skin which intrigued the children and he
often entertained them by putting the bear skin over his body and giving them
rides upon his back. Sometimes he
placed the skin over his head and the children screamed and scampered as he
tried to catch them. They always
enjoyed the tasty meals prepared by Aunt Maggie on these special occasions.
The Hubers had a fine apple orchard to the east of their
home between them and the Mohlman family home. There was a big hay barn located on the northern perimeter
of their lot. Along with other
buildings in the lot was a rock chicken coop which attracted Roy and Dean. They robbed the nest of the eggs, concealed
the eggs under their hats and hurried to the store just a block away where they
traded the eggs for candy.
He owned between 30 and 40 acres. One plot joined the lot on the north where their home was
located. Another acreage, some
distance away known as the “Dutch Field” was of fertile soil and raised
excellent crops. He also had a
forest permit on the mountain west of Midway for around 30 head of cattle
besides a few milk cows. The
animals were put to graze in an area known as Bonner Holler.
Each year an acre or so of potatoes were planted at the
“Dutch Field” or at the ranch at Snake Creek. They boys were sent to pull the weeds from the potato
patch. The Berkinshaw Creek or
Snake Creek streams were near by and the boys usually found those streams more
inviting than pulling weeds, so a fishing they would go. This seemed to meet the approval of the
parents as long as they took home a good mess of fish. Many times after the potatoes were
harvested in the fall, a wagonload of potatoes were taken to Park City and for
their pay they received a hundred pounds of sugar.
Albert always had a good team of horses that he handled with
expertise. As money was hard to
come by, it seems that he worked at whatever was available. He worked at many jobs and he worked
hard to whatever he did.
During the summer, dry timber was hauled and split and sold
in cords for winter use. Timber
was also cut and hauled to a lime kiln located near a limestone quarry. “The lime rock was quarried by blasting
it into chunks. Twenty-five tons
of rock produced 8 tons of lime.
Three days and three nights of 12 hour shifts steady burning at top-heat
were required to burn out the lime.
It cooled 48 hours before being removed. Lime was used in mortar plaster
and for white washing.”[1]
“White pine wood was used to keep the fires going. Coal was used but proved
unsatisfactory, since the heat from the coal stayed too close to the bed of
coals and did not penetrate through the line rock.”[2]
Albert worked in the mines at Park City, Utah. Many who worked in the mines were
leaded, which caused serious health problems. The working conditions were hazardous and the pay around $5
per day. After he quit the work in
the mines, he hauled hay to Park City for the men employed at the mines for $8 to
$10 per ton. This trip usually
took the entire day.
He was the dance hall manager at the town hall for eight or
ten years and for several years after that was Marshall in Midway. He also served on the Midway town
board.
He served as a road supervisor and assisted in building
bridges.
Albert was an excellent fisherman, a trait inherited by many
of the Huber family as they have fished the various streams and mountain lakes.
From a letter dated August 1, 1910 written by John Huber to
his son Joseph E., who was serving a mission in Germany: “Albert and Maggie are
well. They boys are with us except
Elmer, who is working for the Stachele boys at Evanston. Albert had a mishap when he had one of
his spells, fell from the wagon and had a wheel with a new tire on pass over
his head and neck. (Roy was with
his father when this incident occurred on their way to Heber. He recalls that as he fell from the
wagon he held the reins in his hand, causing the horses to turn just right so
that the wheel ran over his head.
Roy jumped from the wagon and tried to move him bout couldn’t. George Bonner came along in a buggy and
helped him into his buggy and took him home.) He looked awfully done up but has now again recovered. He will not take care of himself in
spite of all our warnings. He has
been remarkably preserved thus far; but if he does not heed a warning he must
expect a terrible fate. They boys
are good and help us out.
Especially Frank, who is as good as a man on the farm. Roy is a good boy and Dean is the same
whistle trigger as yet, but he can work when he wants to do so.”
Albert suffered ill health for about 10 years. He had several minor strokes before
suffering a more severe one which caused his death. He died May 20, 1920 at the age of 52.
His posterity is numerous. His wife, Maggie, often said that she would never have any
grandchildren because all her boy except Dean took their time about getting
married. As of this date they have
twenty grandchildren, ninety-seven great-grandchildren, one hundred twenty-four
great-great-grandchildren and one great great-great-grandchild.
