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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of M. F. HUFFORD 

Pages 334-335, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: ABBOTT, BANE, BULL, HUFFORD, MILLARD, PRENTISS] 

    
M. F. HUFFORD, Attorney-at-Law, Canton. A life time spent in pursuing one calling will almost certainly result in substantial success, especially if energy and perseverance are applied, and such is undoubtedly the case with Mr. Hufford, who, from early boyhood has given the study of law his chief time and attention. 
    
Mr. Hufford is a son of Francis M. and Hannah (Bull) Hufford, and was born in Buckheart Township, on the 6th of March, 1858. While an infant he sustained the sad loss of his mother; and was but four years old when his father was killed in the army. Left thus, in the tender years of childhood, without either of his natural protectors his fate would indeed have been sad, but for the fact that an aunt took charge of him, kindly giving him the same loving care and attention that his parents would have bestowed upon him. He attended the district school of his neighborhood, and even there evinced a natural aptitude for study, and when older took an academic course in Bushnell and Dixon at the Normal Schools. After graduating with honors from these institutes, he entered the Bloomington law school where he graduated with a diploma in June, 1887. Previous to entering the latter-named school he had read law with Daniel Abbott, of Canton. 
    
Our subject first located in Quincy and there practiced his profession most successfully for a period of two years, in partnership with Gen. M. M. Bane. Returning to Canton, he practiced alone until 1890, at that time entering into a partnership with R. J. Millard, the firm name being, Hufford & Millard. They do a general law business, and are besides agents for several good Fire Insurance Companies. They are fast making a reputation in the legal world, and are recognized as one of the best firms in Canton. Our subject is a gentleman of superior moral worth, having gained the confidence of all who knew him from boyhood to manhood. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge No. 116, A. F. & A. M. at this place and also belongs to Gem City Lodge No. 375, at Quincy. 
    
Mr. Hufford's grandfather, George Hufford, was of German descent. He lived first in Virginia, afterwards in the Blue Grass State, and came to Illinois settling in Fulton County. He had seven children, viz: Eliza, James, Nancy, Mary, Francis M., Levi and Wesley. Our subject's father was born in Kentucky, but came with his parents to Illinois while yet an infant. The father was an agriculturist until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry. He continued to serve with this regiment up to the time of the battle of Shiloh, when he was captured with Gen. B. M. Prentiss' command. He died from disease contracted in the service in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn., on the November 19, 1863. To his marriage two children had been born, viz: Margery, and M. F. Mr. Hufford's mother was a daughter of William Bull, who was of English descent. 
    
The subject of our sketch fully understands the true meaning of the word success, and though quite a young man has achieved a reputation that many an older and more experienced man might envy him. Realizing that "life is earnest," he has at all times and under all circumstances endeavored to make the most of his talents.