Huffman family maintains generational farm

This article quotes an article originally published in the October 13, 1977, editions of The Standard Register and Citizen Journal and written by Mary Haworth, now Mary Stamp. It is quoted with Mary's permission. The Standard Register is no longer in existence. The epilog was written by Monica Bartlett Peters in May 2023 and published in the Whitman County Genealogical Society newsletter along with Mary Stamp's original article. The epilog is reprinted here with Monica's permission.

Tekoa - Addie Mae Brandon Sienknecht, of Tekoa, celebrated her 100 birthday on March 11, 2023. Mrs. Sienknecht was born in 1923 to Minnie and John Brandon.

Sienknecht's mother was born in Tekoa on January 17, 1883, marrying Mr. Brandon on January 25, 1920, in the Huffman home in Tekoa.

The family farm has been maintained by four generations of the Huffman family, taking 160-acre homesteads.

"They were the first white settlers on the land that was incorporated as Tekoa in 1889," states Stamp's article.

"In addition to developing his homestead, George Huffman sometimes worked as pony express mail carrier between Moscow and Spokane. It was about a six-day trip. He used two horses, one for him and one for the mail," the article explains.

The article states that in 1929 the Huffman family decided to enter the dairy business, "They sold milk to Tekoa residents until 1945 when they couldn't get enough help to run the dairy because of the war."

"Minnie Huffman Brandon died on February 24, 1984 at the age of 101, carrying on the longevity of her mother, Sarah. Minnie and John's daughter, Addie Mae Brandon Sienknect, just celebrated her 100th birthday on March 11, 2023, Doug and Wendy Sienknect live in the original Huffman home on the edge of Tekoa, which has been expanded and updated over the years," states the epilog to the 'Minnie Brandon Story.'