Robert E. Huff biography

ROBERT E. HUFF, president of the First National Bank and a prominent lawyer of Wichita Falls, is a leading man of affairs in this city and came here during its earliest growth and has been intimately connected with its history and material development ever since. He was born at Lebanon, Virginia, January 31, 1857, the son of Rev. William and Mattie (Johnson) Huff, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. Rev. William Huff was a Baptist minister for many years, passing much of his life in Bedford county, Tennessee, where he finally died. The mother is now living with her son in Wichita Falls.

Mr. Robert E. Huff began life in Wichita Falls by starting at the bottom of the ladder. He has remained in that place during all its vicissitudes, by his courage and perseverance has overcome all obstacles, and is now wealthy, with large interests, a handsome residence, and an assured position as one of Wichita Falls prominent business men.

As a boy Mr. Huff received a common school education and afterwards studied law at Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, where he graduated in 1879. He was soon after admitted to the bar at Shelbyville, Tennessee. He then decided to come to the new country in Texas, and May 2, 1882, arrived in Wichita Falls. At that time the town had been laid out and soon after began to grow, as a result of the completion to the place of the Fort Worth & Denver City Railroad.

Mr. Huff began the practice of law, and as soon as Wichita county was organized was elected the first county attorney. In 1888 he was elected president of the Panhandle National Bank, which has been organized in 1884, and he has held this position ever since. In the latter part of 1903 the name of the bank was changed to the First National Bank, the officers and everything connected with the institution remaining unchanged. The bank is a very flourishing one, and its home is in the largest and finest business structure in Wichita Falls. In addition to his law practice Mr. Huff discharges his duties as active working president of the bank. He is a member of the law firm of Huff, Barwise & Huff; his brother, Charles C. Huff, and J. H. Barwise being the other members of the firm.

Since coming to Texas Mr. Huff has married, his wife’s maiden name being Miss Lizzie Burroughs. They have four sons: William E., Arthur B., Robert E., Jr., and Marshall.

Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, p. 14.

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