A series where we take a #lookback at the stories and history of our community, brought to you by Mick Pryor, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones.
John “Jack” Thomas Huff was born in Waterloo, New York on February 12, 1842 into a patriotic family. His great-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary war, his grandfather fought in the War of 1812, and his father died early in the Civil War. John also fought in the Civil War with the 89th Illinois Infantry before transferring to the First Mississippi Marine and fought at the Battle of Vicksburg. He was also present at the Red River Expedition, which was the last Confederate victory of the Civil War. After the Civil War, John found work for the railroad working as a fireman on the trains in Iowa. He then joined the civil service and moved close to Cheyenne to build Camp Carlin. This camp became the second largest U.S. military depot that provided materials and supplies for all the western forts.
When Huff heard of the gold strikes at South Pass, he quickly moved and started his search for gold in 1867 or 1868. The gold rush was on, and he was among the first to make it to the mining district. He headquartered in Atlantic City, opening three gold mines- the Mary Ellen mine, named for his wife and one of his partners’ wives, the Diane mine and finally the Groundhog mine, so named because a groundhog had taken up residence in the mine. Because none of his mines proved to hold a mother-lode, Huff built a waterwheel and operated a stamp mill where gold bearing quartz could be hammered to release the gold held inside. John was a hard worker and tried his hand at many occupations. He ran cattle and sheep to provide meat for the mining camps. A blizzard at nearby Oregon Buttes wiped out his sheep operation, so he opened a sawmill which was powered by a steam boiler that burned as much wood as the lumber it produced. The sawmill however was profitable providing income until the gold boom ended. He also partnered in a brewery which provided ale for the miners. The area where his brewery was located is today known as Beer Garden Gulch.
John married his wife, Ellen McCarthy in 1874. Ellen had been born in New York also, but met her husband in the mining district. She had run away from home at age 11 because of abuse by her father and worked for a family to earn her room and board. She arrived in Atlantic City with this family about 1870 or 1871.
John and his wife opened a hotel called the Chief Hotel in Atlantic City which was mainly operated by his wife and his four daughters. He also opened a candy shop operated by one of his daughters. He tried his hand at homesteading on Big Sandy Flats with three other men, but it failed when they couldn’t get the required irrigation water to the homestead.
The gold rush quickly fizzled at South Pass and people were leaving in search of new opportunities. The county seat was moved from South Pass to Green River, which was another blow to the mining camp businesses.
In 1906 the townsite of Riverton was opened for settlers about the time the railroad arrived. The Huffs decided to try their luck in the new township. The Huffs took up two lots on Main Street about where the Teton Hotel and another where the Conoco Station is located today and opened a business, but John’s wife Ellen died two years later and John lost interest in his business in Riverton. Ellen is buried in Hudson.
John worked for a time at the Pacific Springs ranch for a friend, but finally moved to California to be close to his daughter. He eventually took up residence in the Old Soldier’s Home in Los Angeles, California along with an old mining partner, Buck Gratrix.
John Huff died in 1931 at age 89 in the National Military Home in Los Angeles He is buried in Los Angeles. He was a true pioneer, who worked hard and suffered many hardships, but left his mark on Wyoming.
Next up for the Fremont County Museum
August 20, 6pm at the Riverton Museum, “Coal Camps at Hudson and Gebo” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
August 30, 7am with the Riverton Museum, “Midvale Irrigation District” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
September 6, 10am with the Pioneer Museum, “Red Canyon Petroglyphs Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
September 6, 9am with the Riverton Museum, “J.B. Okie Manor Trek” Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series
September 7, 7pm at the Dubois Museum, “Lunar Eclipse with Astronomer Tom Herret” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
Now thru December, 9-5 at the Riverton Museum, “History Day Exhibits” Shoshone Schools
Oct 4, TBA at the Lander Community Center, “Rare Relics Roadshow” Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation
Call the Dubois Museum 1-307-455-2284, the Pioneer Museum 1-307-332-3339 or the Riverton Museum 1-307-856-2665 for detail regarding their programs.
The Dubois Museum, the Pioneer Museum in Lander and the Riverton Museum need your financial support. In the current economic environment, the museums are more reliant than ever on donations from the private sector to continue to provide the quality programs, collections management, exhibits and services that have become their hallmark over the last four years. Please make your tax deductible contribution through the Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation www.windriverccf.com or by sending a check to Fremont County Museums 450 N 2nd Rm 320 or taking it directly to the museum you choose to support.