Isaac Huff2143 was born circa 1820 in Sevier County, Tennessee. A tall man, 6’ 1’’, with black hair, blue eyes, and dark complection, Isaac married Jane Buckner, July 17, 1843, in Madison County, Mo. Jane was born in 1822, the daughter of Thomas Buckner and Nancy Kear. Nancy Kear Buckner was a sister to Mary and Luvina Kear who married William and Joseph Huff III.

Isaac and Jane lived in St. Francois County, Missouri, after the ir marrige, but by 1860 was back with the Glover area Huff clan. From a letter by his grandson, John Franklin Huff, (Uncle Frank) to Caroline Scoggins, some insight is shed into this family:

"My extreme pleasure upon receiving the letter of of which you dictated to your daughter was mingled with a tinge of regret. I never imagined I was assigning you such a task. It must have taken hours to get that story arranged as you did. It is more than a letter. It is a docurent. lt covers the ground quite thoroughly as it serves as the basis for a geneolcgical write up. Your report does three things for me."

“It clears up facts tdhat were vague before. It comtains items that were entirely new to me and it has increased by admiration for my ancestors and relatives. Especially is this last true conceming my grandfather lke."

A few incidents had placed my grandparent lower in my esteen than where he rightfully belonged. When I was a big toy, I worked for a Will Sutton, whose wife Mary (Moss) is a sister to John Buckner's wife Tabitha. The mother of these three ladies, Mrs. [Martha] Moss, told me my grandfather stayed in her home several weeks during the Civil War times and that he drank to excess while there. She clearly left the irrpression that his death was indirectly due to liquor. I have never heard Uncle Bill, [Isaac's son], mention his father. So one clay I requested a descripton of him.”

He answered that his father was about such a man as Andy, [Andrew Jackson Huff, son of Isaac]."

Andy was never famous for thrift, industry or prudency and I immediately thought about those qualities. I believe now that I had heard something that was not meant. He surely meant that his father was similar to Uncle Andy in such respects as looks and build and size. Probably jolly and witty 1ike him."

In wanting to know about my folks I have never wanted any improving or whitewashiing of facts. I am glad to learn from your account that they were a worthy lot. I believe impllicitly every word you write .... "

Periodically the old love of the drink would pop up to haunt and embarrass the family. But, it was a known fact that, back in Tennessee, even the women were known to place whiskey in their coffee. So Isaac and Achilles, his brother, often embibed in strong drink.

lsaac Huff enlisted in the Army of the Confederate State of America, June 16, 1861, and was placed in Captain Blackburn's Company, known as Company C, 7th Regiment Arkansas Infantry, as a Private. [His name was spelled "Isac" on the military papers.] He enrol led for duty for a period of one year, and served at Camp Dean under Colonel Shaver. However , he became sick during the winter of 1861, and in January, 1862, he was discnarqed and given a Certificate of Disability.

Isaac was killed by a Missouri Pacific train, near Glover. Jane Buckner Huff died October 14, 1906, and was buried ink the Des Arc Cemetery.

1870 census of Iron Co MO
Name Age
Isaac Huff 50
Jane Huff 45
Mary Huff 22
Robt Huff 20
William Huff 18
Andrew Huff 14
Elvira Huff 12
Sleven Sutton 22
Jane Buckner 19