Alameda-Contra Costa County CA Archives Biographies.....Huff, Socrates July 1, 1827 - September 26, 1907 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Steve Harrison raleighwood@juno.com May 11, 2008, 3:43 am Author: J. M. Guinn SOCRATES HUFF. The late Socrates Huff holds a place in the annals of Alameda county unsurpassed by that of any other citizen, won not by great wealth, but by the inherent qualities of noble manhood which distinguished his career. His death, which occurred in San Leandro September 26, 1907, removed from the community which had known him, a successful financier and a man of affairs, and above all a man of noble mental and moral stature, unswerving integrity and honesty of purpose, whose life was ever a power for good and an influence toward better, higher and purer things. His is a career which will never pass from the memory of those who have known him, for its influence will live for all time in the lives of the many who have felt the power of his strong, earnest and upright manhood. A son of William and Plesa (Garver) Huff, Socrates Huff was born in Crawford county, Ohio, July 1, 1827, and when he was two years old the family home was transferred to St. Joseph, Mich[igan]. The wife and mother did not long survive the journey, for the following year, 1830, she passed away, ere her son was capable of realizing his loss. He grew to manhood in St. Joseph, and in addition to his school training, received the equally necessary training for a business career, which well fitted him for the battle of life which was before him. It was about New Years day of 1849, that letters were received in his home town telling of the discovery of gold in California. As he was then a young man full of ambition and ready for any venture which promised larger opportunities than his home surroundings had to offer, it is a matter of no surprise that Socrates Huff was among those who soon set out for the Golden West; indeed, he himself formed a party for that purpose. The little party was composed of Socrates and L[ucien] B[onaparte] Huff, L. C. Wittenmyer, A. M. Church, James M. Morton and A. P. Pinney. Having secured their equipment, purchasing their mules in Indiana, wagons in Chicago and provisions in St. Louis, they set out in February, 1849, to make their way to the “land of promise.” Mr. Huff arrived at Bear River August 12, 1849, stopping there long enough to try his hand at mining, but at the end of two weeks he abandoned it and made his way to Sacramento. For a short time he held a position in that city, but ill-health made a change of location necessary, and from there he went to Mission San Jose, remaining there until March, 1851. It was about this time that he returned for a visit in the east, and after remaining a few months, again took up life in the west. In August of that year he purchased a vessel which he put on the line between Alvarado and Stockton, and until November, 1852, carried on a remunerative business. Returning to the east a second time, Mr. Huff was there united in marriage, February 14, 1853, to Miss Amelia Cassady, a native of Pennsylvania, and in May of the same year the young people started for California, Mr. Huff driving a large band of cattle and horses. Green Valley, Contra Costa county, was their destination, and there they made their home until 1857, in which year they transferred their abode to Hayward, Alameda county. Eighteen months afterward Mr. Huff again went east, but as on previous visits he again came to make his home in the west, his time settling in San Leandro, which was ever afterward his home and the scene of his most telling achievements. Mr. Huff was always alert to respond to the duties of citizenship, and in selecting him to public office his fellow-citizens knew in advance that their interests and those of the general public were entrusted to one who held a public trust as a sacred office. In 1863 he was elected treasurer of Alameda county, a position which he filled with credit for four years, during which time he was also interested in a mercantile business in Carson City, Nev[ada]. In 1880 he was chosen as a delegate-at-large form this state to the national convention held in Chicago, at which the martyred President Garfield was nominated. In 1886 he was recalled to the county treasurership, succeeding himself in the elections which followed in 1888 and 1890, and could have had a nomination in 1892 if he had so desired, as Mr. Huff was recognized throughout the state as the synonym of honesty and fidelity to any great public trust. At an early day he became identified with the banking interests of Oakland and was one of the organizers and directors of the Union Savings and Union National Banks of that city. He continued to be actively identified with banking in Alameda county up to the time of his death, having in the meantime organized the Bank of San Leandro, of which he became president. The institution was a success from the start, and under his careful and able management made wonderful progress and is today counted as one of the most stable financial institutions in Alameda county. The death of Socrates Huff occurred at his home in San Leandro September 26, 1907, the death of his wife having occurred about three years previously. They became the parents of seven daughters, of whom six are now living, as follows: Mrs. J. F. Sloane, Jennie Huff, Mrs. O. P. Downing, Callie Huff, Mamie Huff and Mrs. Bush Finnell. Mr. Huff was a member of but one organization, the Society of California Pioneers, of which he was at the time of his death one of the vice-presidents. In closing this brief review of the life of one of Alameda county’s noble citizens it is only fitting to recall the tributes paid to his memory by those who knew him best. He was a man of the highest type of character, and of sterling integrity in all the walks of life. In business his word was held equal to his bond, and in public as well as in private life he was held in the highest esteem for uprightness and irreproachability of character. The Rev. E. E. Baker delivered an eloquent eulogy over the remains of Mr. Huff, from which we quote as follows: “A good name is to be desired rather than great riches. One of the priceless legacies given unto this family is this name for honesty and incorruptibility, unsullied, and without tarnish or stain or blemish.” END Additional Comments: “History of the State of California and Biographical Record of Oakland and Environs" by J. M. Guinn. Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1907. Pages 379- 380. 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