PUMPHREY, Henry F. 1857 - 1939

PUMPHREY, LINDER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/18/2011 at 15:37:08

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Saturday, November 18, 1939

H. F. PUMPHREY DIED TODAY.

Man of Many Hobbies.

Henry F. PUMPHREY, 82, well known long time resident and at one time owner of 160 acres of land now within the city of Fairfield, passed away this morning at 5:20 at Jefferson County Hospital.....

He was a cordial, generous, public-spirited citizen, always ready to assist anyone in need. Although well-to-do, he was of the most democratic spirit, and usually dressed in utter disregard of fastidious standards.

His wife, Bertha LINDER PUMPHREY, of Iowa City, was a famous artist. She preceded him in death in 1919 (sic - 1918, and buried in Iowa City). Her biography is contained in a book, "Iowa Artists", written by Mrs. Louise Orwig and Mrs. J. Neff.

Mr. PUMPHREY was well liked by all. He often brought fruits to neighbors and friends, being especially proud of his grafting hobby. At one time he had four different varieties of apples growing on one tree.

He was donor of the land for the Boy Scout Swimming Pool.

His father, William PUMPHREY, "entered" 160 acres of land from the government. Eighty acres of it was on the north side of Burlington Street and 80 acres on the south side. The land commenced at D Street, running east to Chautauqua Park.

William PUMPHREY manufactured a timothy seed cleaning machine and also patented cultivators and other farm tools.

Henry PUMPHREY was always a well-to-do man, whose hobbies took much of his time. One of his lifetime friends, the late Ralph Lamson, is credited with saying of PUMPHREY, "He is a gentleman of leisure with 100 hobbies." Often Mr. PUMPHREY's winters were spent in Florida. Here he hunted alligators or engaged in deep sea fishing. Other hunting or exploring and mining expeditions took him to California, Colorado and Mexico.

He was greatly interested in fruit raising. He also ran a jelly factory on his property in addition to his cider mill. He was an artist and skilled taxidermist. Other of his hobbies included the manufacturing of pottery from clay taken from his properties in Fairfield, collecting pearls and minerals.

During the summer he and his brother Clay often traveled over the country in a brightly painted Model T Ford. On these trips the brothers were digging and "panning" for gold, some of which was done in Colorado and along Soap Creek in Wapello County. His home was a show place for all persons interested in collections of pearls, minerals and stuffed birds, animals and fish.

He was a member of the Old Settlers' "quartet," the famed organization that had five members. Other members included Ralph Lamson, Hiram Heaton, Dr. T. L. James and B. T. Rains.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, in Lot Old.P.336.