James T. Humphrey 1876-1949

HUMPHREY, FLEMING, COOL, SAWYER

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 10/13/2009 at 21:40:05

James Humphrey, Local Realator [sic], Passes Thursday

James T. Humphrey, 72, prominent in business and civic circles in this community since 1925, passed away at Postville Hospital, Thursday night at 9:30, following a stroke. He had been active ... [fold in paper - illegible words] ...
caused his removal to the hospital. Funeral services were conducted Saturday morning at 10:00 o'clock in St. Bridget's Catholic church in this city, the Rev. Francis J. Vallaster officiating at the requiem high mass. The choir of St. Patrick's church of Monona participated in the service. Rev. Vernon J. Peters of McGregor, was also present in the sanctuary. Local business houses were closed during the services. Interment was in St. Patrick's cemetery in Monona.

Mr. Humphrey was born on the home farm south of Monona August 23, 1876, as the son of Lawrence and Mary Fleming Humphrey. He obtained his education in the local schools and later attended Valder Business College in Decorah.

He was married to Miss Grace Sarah Cool at Waverly on September, 24, 1913, the couple making their home at Monona until March 1, 1925, when they moved to Postville. To them were born seven children, three of whom passed away in infancy; a daughter, Margaret, passed on in 1940, and a son, Howard, a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, gave his life in the service of his country while in a mission over Germany in March, 1944. In addition to the widow, two children survive, Donald J. Humphrey of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Mary Hope, Mrs. Thomas Sawyer, Jr., of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Mr. Humphrey is also survived by two grandchildren, Shauna Maria Humphrey, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Thomas Sawyer III, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; by two brothers, Richard Humphrey of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dr. W.F. Humphrey of Monona; and a sister, Anna Humphrey, of Monona. His parents, three sisters and three brothers preceded him in death.

In his early years Mr. Humphrey taught school in South Dakota, and 1911 he entered the farm implement business in Monona. Upon coming to Postville he assumed ownership of the B.C. Fleming Implement business and continued its operation until he sold in in 1937. He then entered the real estate brokerage which he operated here until he passed away.

Mr. Humphrey served as secretary of the Luana creamery for many years; he was a charter member and director of the Luana Savings Bank until 1947, serving as the bank's president during the latter years of his directorate. For many years he was the representative of Bankers Life Insurance Company of Des Moines, both while at Monona and here. He was a charter member of the Postville Kiwanis Club, a member of the Postville Commercial Club and during both World Wars served on the bond sales committees, being the Postville Chairman during World War II.

~Postville Herald , January 12, 1949