Humphrey, Louis 1864-1947

HUMPHREY, LESLIE, RYAN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Funeral services for Louis James Humphrey, 83, were held at St. Patrick's church last Thursday morning at 9:30 o'clock with Rev. Luke Donlon celebrating the solemn high mass and Rev. Vernon Peters delivering the sermon.

Burial was in St. Patrick's cemetery.

He died Monday night, Dec. 1, at 10:30 o'clock after being in ill health for some time.

He was born a son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Humphrey, May 13, 1864, in the home which his father established in 1852. The deed of the farm which his father received from the federal government, was signed by President Millard Fillmore and was purchased by a soldier's land warrant.

It was on this farm that the first Catholic cemetery was located. Early French missionaries said mass in their home until the church was built in Monona. One of these missionaries, Rev. Louis James DeCalley, baptized the deceased and gave him his own name.

The farm has been in the possession of the Humphrey family for 95 years and has never been sold. Michael Humphrey deeded the homestead to his sons and the cemetery to the Catholic church. Louis had lived for 57 years on the farm when he moved to Monona.

He was one of a family of eight children, three of whom preceded him in death. They were Richard, James and Katherine.

He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Leslie of Waverly and Mrs. Ed Ryan and Mary of Monona, and a brother, Peter.

Acolytes were Larry Joe Ryan, Donald Huinker, and Bernard Whittle. Honorary pallbearers were Joe Lotza, Frank Holly, George Heins Sr. and George Bruns. Pallbearers were Hubert Lenth, Charles English, Ed Grady, H.T. Orr, Joe Geraghty, Frank Melcher and A.T. Huinker.

Among those from a distance attending the services were Mr. and Mrs. Edwin J. Buman and Dr. and Mrs. Allen Ryan of Harlan and H.L. Leslie of Waverly.

~Monona Leader, Thursday, December 11, 1947