While the subject of this article is now one of the substantial and prosperous farmers of the reservation country, living about one mile west from Nez Perce, and is considered one of the most prosperous and progressive farmers of the section, still in military matters he doubtless has a record which places him clear in advance of any other portion of his life’s work. Few men have the opportunity to recount personal experiences as has Mr. Huber. He enlisted in the regular army of Germany in 1864; in 1866 the war with Prussia broke out and he participated in the battles of Kissengen, Holzkirchansen and Wurzburg, besides several others and many skirmishes. When it is understood that the war continued but six months it will be seen that he was excessively active. Retiring from that, he went to work at the miller’s trade, although still a soldier. In July, 1870, came the call, when the Franco-Russian war broke out. This conflict lasted one year and Mr. Huber fought in nineteen principal battles. In the battle of Weisenburg, his company numbered two hundred and forty, and all but twenty-six were wounded or killed. He received a bayonet wound in the neck, which kept him in the hospital six days, and thus he lost the opportunity of participating in one of the leading battles. Mr. Huber was under General Van Tann, one of the leading commanders of that war. Following this war, Mr. Huber again worked at his trade and in 1883 he came to the United States, shipping from Hamburg; after landing in New York he went to Washington to associate with a friend, where he learned English.
Thence he went to German City. Michigan, and was married to Miss Carrie Luger, on October 5, 1884. She was born in Baden, Germany, and was left an orphan when an infant; during her youth she lived in Germany, Switzerland and France. In 1882 she came from Paris to New York City and there had the care of children for two years.
In 1887 Mr. Huber came with his family to the vicinity of Moscow and followed farming, in which he was not very successful. On the noted November 18, 1895, he was on the ground and secured his valuable place, which in addition to its fertility possesses plenty of fine spring water. He has improved it in excellent shape and is one of the skilled tillers of the soil. He hauled his initial crops to Lewiston and the first years were hard ones.
He and his wife belong to the Catholic Church in Nez Perce. Three children have been born to this household, Joanna, John William and Mary Magdalene. Mr. Huber was born in Bavaria, July 24, 1842, being the son of Michael and Mary Huber. He was educated in the public schools and was apprenticed to a miller when he was thirteen.
Source: An Illustrated History of North Idaho: Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho; Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903