HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG1101.AM: Harry F. Huntington, 1878-1974
Papers: 1909-1974
Size: One folder
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Born in Pennsylvania on April 20, 1878, Harry F. Huntington grew up in Nebraska. He graduated from Aurora High School and went on to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he received his bachelors, masters, and doctor of divinity degrees. Huntington served as pastor at various Methodist churches in Crete, Pawnee City, Columbus, Scottsbluff, and Fairbury, Nebraska. In 1914 he started corresponding with William Jennings Bryan. Huntington became friends with Bryan and would eventually perform the wedding ceremonies for all three Bryan children. Huntington moved to Longmont, Colorado in 1943 and retired in 1945.
Harry Huntington married Bessie Chillson in 1903. They had two children, William Huntington and Beatrice (Huntington) Amoss. Bessie Huntington died in 1963. Harry F. Huntington died on December 31, 1974. He is buried next to his wife in Foothills Gardens of Memory cemetery, Longmont, Colorado.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The collection contains of a book length manuscript written by Harry F. Huntington of Longmont, Colorado. The manuscript is entitled, “William Jennings Bryan, the Man I Knew,” and was written by Huntington sometime around 1955. A minister and friend of William Jennings Bryan, Huntington writes about Bryan’s ancestors; his childhood life in Salem, Illinois; his education; his career as a lawyer in Lincoln, Nebraska; his political life and causes; and his religious life. Huntington gives his observations of Bryan as well as other people’s impressions.
The manuscript contains passages of speeches given by Bryan as well as information about the Bryans donating their house, “Fairview,” to the Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Also included is a brief biography of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Frey of Pawnee City, Nebraska, based on a 1913 interview of Mrs. Frey. Photocopies of Bryan letters to Huntington, various Bryan related newspaper clippings, and a copy of Harry Huntington’s obituary are also included.
INVENTORY
Harry F. Huntington materials regarding William Jennings Bryan
Subject headings:
Bryan Family
Bryan, Mary Baird, 1861-1930
Bryan, Silas Lillard, 1822-1880
Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925
Frey Family
Frey, Joseph H., -1913
Huntington, Harry F., 1878-1974
Jennings Family
Lancaster County (Nebraska) — History
Lawyers — Nebraska
Legislators — Nebraska
Lincoln (Nebraska) — History
Marion County (Nebraska) — History
Pawnee City (Nebraska) — History
Politicians — Nebraska
Salem (Illinois) — History
Talbot, Adolphus Robert, 1859-1944
Revised TMM 04-29-2008
