Eugene Huntington Biography 1487-1488 EUGENE HUNTINGTON.—It is signally consistent that in a contemporary way shall be perpetuated the records of those who have aided in the development of a splendid civilization in the great northwest, for in the future years this data can not but prove of inestimable historic value. The subject of this sketch is to be noted as one of the early pioneers of the present state of South Dakota and as one who has done his part in advancing its material and civic progress. He has served in various positions of public trust under both the territorial and state regimes, and is at the time of this writing incumbent of the office of deputy collector of internal revenue for the north half of the state, retaining his residence in Webster, Day county. The name borne by the subject is one which has long been identified with the annals of American history. The original progenitor in the new world was Simon Huntington, who emigrated from Norwich, England, in 1633, but who died on the voyage, his family settling in Roxbury, Massachusetts. His son Christopher was one of the founders of Norwich, Connecticut, being one of the twelve patentees of that place and one of its prominent and influential citizens. The subject is of the eighth generation in descent from Simon Huntington, the head of the original family in America. Eugene Huntington was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on the 18th of April, 1844, being a son of Horatio and Julia (Horton) Huntington. His parents removed to New Jersey when he was a child, later to the state of New York, and in 1856 became pioneer settlers in Mitchell county, Iowa, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The father there gave his attention to agricultural pursuits and became a prosperous and highly honored citizen of the state. The subject of this review received a common-school education, having been a lad of about twelve years at the time of the family removal to Iowa, so that he has had his full quota of experience in connection with pioneer life. In 1861, shortly after the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, he enlisted as a private in the Fourth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served until the expiration of his term, in 1863, when he re-enlisted as a member of the same regiment and remained in active service therewith until the close of the great internecine conflict through which was perpetuated the integrity of the Union. He received his honorable discharge, as sergeant of his company, in August, 1865, and then returned to his home in Iowa. In 1867-8 Mr. Huntington was employed in the engineering department of the Union Pacific Railroad, and in 1869 held the position of construction engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, while in 1872 he was similarly engaged in connection with the construction of the Iowa Pacific Railroad, which is now a portion of the system of the Chicago & Great Western Railroad. In 1878 Mr. Huntington came to South Dakota, locating in Flandreau, Moody county, where he established himself in the real-estate and loan business, being one of the pioneers in the line in the state, which was then a portion of the great undivided territory of Dakota. In 1883 he removed to Webster, Day county, where he has since maintained his home, and where he continued in the same line of enterprise for a number of years, doing much to secure to this section a desirable class of settlers and also to further the upbuilding and advancement of the town. In politics Mr. Huntington has ever given an unqualified allegiance to the Republican party, in whose cause he has been an active and efficient worker. He cast his first presidential vote for General Ulysses S. Grant, and has ever since been an uncompromising advocate of the principles of the "grand old party." In 1884-5 he was a member of the legislature of Dakota territory, and introduced the bill creating Marshall county, said bill being duly enacted. In 1888 he was appointed adjutant general by Governor Mellette, and held that office during the term of that honored and able chief executive of the state of South Dakota. He was the first president of the board of trustees of Webster after its incorporation as a village, and as an official and a private citizen he has ever shown a deep and loyal interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his home town, county and state. In 1899 he was appointed to his present office of deputy collector of internal revenue, and its duties demand practically his undivided attention. In a fraternal way Mr. Huntington is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, has attained the thirty-third and highest degree in Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masonry, and is also affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. On the 28th of December, 1867, Mr. Huntington was united in marriage to Miss Artemicia Button, who was born in the state of New York, and who was a resident of Iowa at the time of their marriage. They have four children, namely: Marcia, Richard, Grace and Gertrude.