HUMPHREYS, Marvin Brownlow - 1912 Bio (1862-1949)

HUMPHREYS, GORSUCH, GLEASON, DAWES, DUBOIS, DANA

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 11/1/2003 at 16:22:53

“History of Jefferson County, Iowa, Volume II,” pub. 1912
Pages 471-473

MARVIN B. HUMPHREYS

Marvin B. HUMPHREYS, owning and operating a farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres of highly productive land on section 9, Cedar township, was born on this place, on the 16th of January, 1862. His parents were F. T. & Louisa (GORSUCH) HUMPHREYS. The father, whose birth occurred in Madison, Indiana, on the Ohio river, came of Scotch (sic) and Welsh ancestry. In 1840, seven years before the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad reached Fairfield, he came west to Iowa on an ox team. On reaching the Mississippi river he was absolutely penniless and spent a half day in convincing the ferryman that he would pay him for his services as soon as possible after landing on the other side. Being a man of his word, he later walked seventy miles, in order to pay that twenty-five cents. In Warren county, Illinois, Mr. HUMPHREYS raised corn and at one time delivered eighty-two and a half bushels to a man, to pay for a pair of common plow shoes, the shoemaker recovering commission at the rate of three and a half cents a bushel delivered. As above stated, in 1840 he took up his abode among the pioneer settlers of Jefferson county, Iowa, locating on the old James Galliher place in Cedar township. He had no opportunity to attend school until after reaching man’s estate and the circumstances were such that he pursued only a three months’ course of study under the preceptorship of Wesley Anderson. The little “temple of learning” was a log structure, with greased paper for window lights, and the pupils used the old-fashioned quill pens. F. T. HUMPHREYS secured several claims, including one or two in Polk township, near Abingdon, which he subsequently sold, investing his money in land in Cedar township. In 1847 he was married in the old frame house now standing on the Joseph Heisel farm, whereon he took up his abode in 1852, purchasing the place of eighty acres from George Schilley. That farm remained his home until he was called to his final rest, on the 18th of January, 1889, his demise occurring in the house where our subject now resides. For a number of years he had survived his wife, who passed away on the 21st of December, 1871. Throughout this county Mr. HUMPHREYS was known as a practical joker and one who had a high appreciation of humor. He delighted in reminiscences of the early days and could tell a story in a most interesting and entertaining manner. As a pioneer whose labors constituted an element in the upbuilding and development of this county, he well deserves extended mention in this volume.

Marvin B. HUMPHREYS remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. Taking up his abode on a farm which he owned northeast of Fairfield, he there carried on general agricultural pursuits for two years, at the end of which time his father died and he returned to the old homestead, whereon he has remained continuously since. He purchased the shares of the other heirs and now owns and operates a farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable and well improved land. He feeds his grain and raises and sells stock to shippers and in this connection has won a most gratifying measure of prosperity.

On the 27th of October, 1886, Mr. HUMPHREYS was united in marriage to Miss Minnie M. GLEASON, a daughter of Martin Van Buren and Sarah Elizabeth (DAWES) Gleason. The father was born and reared in New York and came of English-Irish descent, while the mother’s birth occurred in Maine in the year 1837. Their marriage was celebrated in Wisconsin in 1855. In 1859 they came to Iowa, first locating in Washington county and later in Jefferson county, where they resided for ten years. Mr. GLEASON worked at the harness-maker’s trade throughout his entire business career, passing away in the state of Washington, on Christmas day of 1906. The demise of his wife occurred in Pleasant Plain, Iowa, on the 9th of December, 1899. Both died of paralysis. Mr. and Mrs. HUMPHREYS are the parents of six children, namely: Lorene, at home, who is an operator of the Washington Telephone Company at Washington, Iowa; Don A., who follows farming north of Fairfield; Bernice, who is the wife of J. H. DuBOIS, who is engaged in farming north of Fairfield; Bertene, twin sister of Bernice, who is the wife of Earl DANA, a farmer living four miles north of Fairfield; Mabel, a pupil in the district school; and Elizabeth, at home.

Mr. HUMPHREYS is a “stand pat” republican and held the office of road supervisor prior to his marriage. For six years he has served as a school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church at Fairfield, to which his wife also belongs. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 4, at Fairfield. His life has been actuated by a laudable ambition to attain success and as the years have passed, he as achieved a measure of prosperity which has come to him as the reward of persistent, earnest and indefatigable labor, so that he has gained place with the representative agriculturists of his community.

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.