Joshua B. Huckeby facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joshua Brannon Huckeby
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from Perry County, Indiana
In office 1836 – 1837 1842–1843 1844–1845
Prosecuting Attorney of the 3rd Indiana District Common Pleas Court from Perry County
In office 1854–1856
Personal details
Born	February 13, 1802 Bedford County, Virginia, United States
Died	March 22, 1889 (aged 87) Virginia Place, Cannelton, Perry County, Indiana, United States
Resting place	Cliff Cemetery, Cannelton, Perry County, Indiana, United States
Political party	Whig Constitutional Union Republican
Spouse	Rebecca Huckeby (née Lang)
Children	9 offspring: Mary Ann Huckeby Rachel Littell Huckeby Eliza Ellen Huckeby Elizabeth Huckeby John Lang Huckeby William Lamb Huckeby Sarah Jane Huckeby Isabelle Huckeby Thomas Jefferson Huckeby
Occupation	Politician, lawyer, tavern keeper
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Joshua Brannon Huckeby (February 13, 1802 – March 22, 1889) was an important American politician and lawyer in the 1800s. He represented Perry County, Indiana, in the state's House of Representatives several times. He also worked as a prosecuting attorney, which is a lawyer who works for the government.

Early Life and Family Moves

Joshua Huckeby was born on February 13, 1802, in Bedford County, Virginia. His parents were John Huckeby, Sr., a farmer, and Frances Anne (Brannon) Huckeby.

When Joshua was about three years old, his family moved from Virginia to Barren County, Kentucky. They lived in a few different counties in Kentucky as Joshua grew up.

Joshua's family had been in America for a long time. His ancestors came from England to the Colony of Virginia during the time of King Charles II. His mother's father, Lawrence Brannon, had Irish roots.

Growing Up and Marriage

Like many people on the frontier in his time, Joshua Huckeby did not get much formal schooling. He only had about three months of education in total.

In 1823, he moved from Kentucky to Perry County, Indiana. He settled near the town of Rome. There, he met Rebecca "Becky" Lang. They got married on April 4, 1824, in Rome.

Joshua and Rebecca had nine children together:

• Mary Ann (born 1826)
• Rachel Littell (born 1828)
• Eliza Ellen (born 1830)
• Elizabeth (born around 1833)
• John Lang (born 1835)
• William Lamb (born around 1838)
• Sarah Jane (born 1840)
• Isabelle (born 1845)
• Thomas Jefferson (born 1847)

Around 1848, the family moved from Rome to Cannelton, Indiana. In both Rome and Cannelton, Joshua ran a tavern for a while. In 1856, he bought a house in Cannelton that became known as the Virginia Place.

Political Career

Joshua Huckeby was very interested in politics. He was elected as a justice of the peace in 1833. This job involved keeping peace and handling small legal cases.

He served in the Indiana General Assembly (the state's law-making body) for Perry County during these years:

• 1836–1837
• 1842–1843
• 1844–1845

He was a strong supporter of the Whig Party. When the Whig Party ended, he joined the Republican Party. In 1860, he was an elector for the Constitutional Union Party. This meant he was chosen to vote for president and vice president.

From 1854 to 1856, he worked as a prosecuting attorney for the 3rd Indiana District Common Pleas Court. He was known for doing a good job. After this, he continued to practice law successfully.

Later in his life, from 1871 to 1884, he served as the postmaster in Cannelton. This meant he was in charge of the local post office.

Joshua Huckeby was known for his love of political discussions. He was a very good speaker and debater. He knew Perry County very well, including all its roads and places. His grandson, Thomas James de la Hunt, Jr., said that Joshua knew every man in Perry County, their politics, and their religion.

The American Civil War

Joshua Huckeby supported the Union during the American Civil War (1861–1865). In the 1860 presidential election, he supported the Constitutional Union Party. However, his wife and two sons supported Abraham Lincoln.

In 1861, at the start of the Civil War, the Governor of Indiana asked for muskets (guns) from Perry County. These weapons were hidden on Joshua Huckeby's property by local residents. It took some time for them to be found and returned.

In 1864, Joshua Huckeby hosted Captain Edmund Morgan of the U.S. Navy at his home, the Virginia Place. This house is still standing today. Some people in the area believe it is haunted. A book called Ghosts of the Virginia Place was even written about it in 2007.

Joshua's two sons, John Lang Huckeby and William Lamb Huckeby, both served in the Civil War. His daughter, Rachel Littell (Huckeby) Mason, was the president of the Ladies' Patriotic Aid Association. This group helped supply clothing for soldiers. Her husband, Judge Charles Holland Mason, was a colonel during the war. Joshua's youngest daughter, Isabelle, married Major Thomas James de la Hunt, Sr., after the war.

Later Years and Passing

Joshua Huckeby passed away at his home, the Virginia Place, in Cannelton on March 22, 1889. He was 87 years old. His funeral was held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

He was the oldest Freemason in Perry County. Members from his local lodge and nearby lodges attended his funeral. He was buried in Cliff Cemetery in Cannelton.

His grandson, Thomas James de la Hunt, Jr., became a well-known writer and newspaper columnist.

See also

• Charles Holland Mason
• Indiana House of Representatives
• Perry County, Indiana
• Robert Dale Owen
• William Hayden English