Cedar County Republican, 21 May 1903
In the category of famous Missouri photographers you’ve probably never heard of, meet the Huff Sisters. On April 11, 1892, sisters Linnie and Nettie Huff opened their photography studio in the John E. Hartley building on the Stockton public square. They remained there in the photography business for over 50 years.
The Huff family was in Stockton by 1868 when Nettie was born. Her older sister, Linnie (Mary), was born in Indiana in 1861. Their parents, Ferdinand and Maria, were farmers. They had seven children, Nettie being the youngest.
Nettie was involved in civic affairs throughout her life. She was elected superintendent of the Junior Epworth League, a Methodist young adult association, in 1902. She was also a member of the Dorcas Society and was a Sunday school teacher.
Nettie made a trip to Kansas City hospital in 1913 to “remove a cancer.” The type of cancer was unspecified and Nettie was still ill in 1914. She was well enough by 1915 to return to Kansas City, this time to attend a photographer’s convention.
The sister were lifelong learners and attended an Eastman School for Instruction for Photography in 1923. In 1928, the Southwest Missouri Club of the Master Photo Finishers of America held their fall meeting in Eldorado Springs. Nettie and Linnie, or course, attended.
Cedar County Republican, 23 April 1942
After more than 60 years in business, the Huff sisters retired. Linnie died at their home, 309 East Street, in Stockton. She was 96 years old. Her obituary said the “sisters had been photographers in Stockton for 53 years, and had been in business there for more than 60 years.”
Nettie died in a nursing home in El Dorado Springfield in 1968. She was 100 years old.
