John Huffman
Excerpted from Grand Rapids, Ohio, A Souvenir of the Past and Present. July 1897
This portrait was made some years ago, and is hardly a fair representation of the well known horticulturist of Grand Rapids township. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1849; being the fifth son of John and Nancy (Wire) Huffman. The year following the birth of our subject the family removed to Wood County, Ohio; buying land on the south bank of the Maumee River, in what is now Grand Rapids township. John Huffman, Sr., died in 1864, leaving his wife and a family of twelve children. Nancy Huffman died August 12, 1880. Our subject attended the common schools and worked on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he learned the trade of carpenter and builder. Later, he accepted employment in the flouring mills of Isaac Groff and learned the miller's trade, still later; he became superintendent of the Pursy saw and planing mills. In 1887 he purchased the land and planted his now famous island nurseries and vineyard, and in 1889 he supplemented these by the purchase and improvement of that portion of the Howard estate located upon the river east of the village. Here, in a lovely grove of young hickories, he built his home, and here, surrounded by orchards and vineyards, and enjoying one of the most beautiful prospects on the Maumee, he now resides.
August 17, 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of Alfred and Eliza Mains. They have but one child, Floyd D., now a young man of 24, who is the editor and proprietor of the Grand Rapids Triumph, and the publisher of this work.
Referring to Mr. Huffman's fruit business, he has about 6,000 grapes, 2,000 blackberries, 2.000 raspberries, 1,000 currants, an acre of strawberries and about 1,000 peach, pear, plum, apple and quince trees, all carefully selected, choice fruit. He is also a considerable manufacturer of grape wine, his average annual output being about 1,000 gallons. Persons desiring a mature and pure wine for medicinal or family use should consult Mr. Huffman before buying. He is selling a very choice wine as low as fifty cents per gallon. In season, should address John Huffman, Grand Rapids, Ohio.
Excerpted from Grand Rapids, Ohio, A Souvenir of the Past and Present. July 1897
This portrait was made some years ago, and is hardly a fair representation of the well known horticulturist of Grand Rapids township. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1849; being the fifth son of John and Nancy (Wire) Huffman. The year following the birth of our subject the family removed to Wood County, Ohio; buying land on the south bank of the Maumee River, in what is now Grand Rapids township. John Huffman, Sr., died in 1864, leaving his wife and a family of twelve children. Nancy Huffman died August 12, 1880. Our subject attended the common schools and worked on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he learned the trade of carpenter and builder. Later, he accepted employment in the flouring mills of Isaac Groff and learned the miller's trade, still later; he became superintendent of the Pursy saw and planing mills. In 1887 he purchased the land and planted his now famous island nurseries and vineyard, and in 1889 he supplemented these by the purchase and improvement of that portion of the Howard estate located upon the river east of the village. Here, in a lovely grove of young hickories, he built his home, and here, surrounded by orchards and vineyards, and enjoying one of the most beautiful prospects on the Maumee, he now resides.
August 17, 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of Alfred and Eliza Mains. They have but one child, Floyd D., now a young man of 24, who is the editor and proprietor of the Grand Rapids Triumph, and the publisher of this work.
Referring to Mr. Huffman's fruit business, he has about 6,000 grapes, 2,000 blackberries, 2.000 raspberries, 1,000 currants, an acre of strawberries and about 1,000 peach, pear, plum, apple and quince trees, all carefully selected, choice fruit. He is also a considerable manufacturer of grape wine, his average annual output being about 1,000 gallons. Persons desiring a mature and pure wine for medicinal or family use should consult Mr. Huffman before buying. He is selling a very choice wine as low as fifty cents per gallon. In season, should address John Huffman, Grand Rapids, Ohio.