Funeral services for Jesse David Huffman, 78, former mayor and well known citizen, were held here Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Elmer Peal conducting the services.
Mr. Huffman, a pioneer citizen of this county and a former mayor of this city, died Christmas Day in the Baptist Hospital where he was taken a few days prior, following two severe heart attacks.
Mr. Huffman, a pioneer citizen of this county and former mayor of this city, died Christmas Day in the Baptist Hospital where he was taken a few days prior, following two severe heart attacks.
Mr. Huffman, familiarly and affectionately known as "Uncle Davy" and "Mr. Davy," was born at Cottonwood Point on October 29, 1864, the son of Jesse and Melissa Huffman. He moved to Caruthersville when a young man and took an active interest in the growth and development of this city and county, and also in the civic and spiritual development in this city.
In addition to having served the city as mayor, Mr. Huffman also had served as county court clerk and county public administrator, and for many years was secretary-treasurer of Drainage District No. 3. He had served as cashier of the old People's Bank and the old Bank of Caruthersville.
Early in life he joined the Presbyterian Church and all through the years of his life he took an active part in the work of his church. He was the first superintendent of the local Presyterian Church Sunday School. He was one of the two living charter members of the church which was founded in this city in 1895. The other member is Mrs. E.W. Shade. He became an elder in the local church in 1901, in which years the first Presbyterian Church in this city was built. He has been an elder since that date. When the plans were being discussed for the present fine church which now stands, he held out against spending too great a sum on a church building. He wanted to build one the members could pay for. And the final payment on the church indebtedness was made on Christmas morning. That day he died.
In 1886 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Eleanor Williams, who preceded him in death, and to this union was born one daughter, Mrs. Harry (Lissie) Ridgley. In 1934 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mattie Mifflan.
Surviving him are his wife, Mrs. Mattie Huffman; one daughter, Mrs. Harry Ridgley, of this city; one brother, County Clerk Edwin S. Huffman of this city; one sister, Mrs. Anna Michell, of Baton Rouge, La.; five grandchildren, Mrs. Jessie Ridgley Dare, New Orleans, La., James Wilson Ridgley of this city, Charles David Ridgley with the U.S. Army in Hawaii, Mrs. Nini Ridgley Berger of this city, and Miss Margaret Nell Ridgley of this city.
Also one great great-grandson, John David Berger.
Interment was in Little Prairie cemetery in this city with LaForge service.
The Republican - Caruthersville, Missouri - Thursday, December 31, 1942

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Presbryterian church in this city for Jesse David Huffman, 78, whose death occurred on Christmas Day in a hospital in Memphis, where he had been taken for treatment for a heart affection, first suffered the preceding Tuesday evening. He was removed to the hospital on Wednesday, but he never rallied to an appreciable degree, suffering a succession of the attacks until his death.
Mr. Huffman, native citizen here and one-time Mayor of this city, was born at Cottonwood Point October 29, 1864, the son of Jesse and Malissa Huffman, but spent most of his adult life in Caruthersville where he was prominent in civic and church affairs. He held the office of Public Administrator and county clerk and was connected with the Bank of Caruthersville for many years, also was secretary and treasurer of Drainage District No. Three for a long period. He was also connected with the Farmers Bank of Braggadocio being a member of the board of directors at the time of his death.
Early in his life he joined the Presbyterian church and was instrumental in the organization of this church here, which he had served for years as one of its Elders. During his younger days, he was superintendent of the Sunday School of this church and he helped to promote the construction of both buildings the church has occupied since its organization here, the first in 1895 and the other about 1927.
He was united in marriage to Sarah Eleanor Willamson in 1886 and one child was born to them, Mrs. Lizzie Ridgley, wife of Harry Ridgley of this city. Mrs. Huffman died in 1920 and about the year 1926, he was married to Mrs. Mollie Rutherford, who also preceded him in death somewhere in the early '30's. A third marriage, to Mrs. Mattie Mifflin, occurred in 1934, and the widow survives, along with the one daughter.
In addition he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Anna Michell of Baton Rouge, La. and a half-brother, Edwin S. Huffman, present county here. There are five grandchildren, James Ripley Wilson, of this city; Mrs. Jessie Ridgley Dare of New Orleans; Charles David Ridgley, in an Army Medical Corps in Hawaii; Mrs. Nina Ridgley Berger of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Margaret Nell Ridgley of this city; also one great-grandchild, John David Berger.
In addition to other public positions Mr. Huffman served two terms of Mayor of Caruthersville in the early 1930's, declining a third term because of advancing years. Later he served as a Justice of the Peace in the township, resigning the office about two years ago and retiring definitely from public life.
Following the funeral services Sunday, which was conducted by the pastor, the Rev. Elmer Peal, the body was interred in Little Prairie cemetery, near this city.
Democrat Argus - Caruthersville, Missouri - Friday, January 1, 1943

2ND Wife: Mollie Rutherford Huffman