HUMSTON, Henry J. (1834-1915)

HUMSTON, STEVENS, BISHOP, LEMONDS, LAWSON, CREAMER

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 2/18/2019 at 10:17:02

Malvern Leader
Dec. 9, 1915

Henry J. Humston

Henry J. Humston died Nov. 27, 1915, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wade Stevens near Oakland, Ia., after a lingering illness of three months at the age of 80 years, 11 months, 14 days. He was born near Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana, December 13th, 1934.

He was left an orphan at the age of three months by the death of his father. When he was ten years of age his mother passed away, leaving him along with three brothers to the care of his only sister, who afterwards was Mrs. John Bishop and was known by many of his acquaintances until she passed to the other shore a few years ago.

In 1849 Mr. Humston along with his sister and her husband, with whom he lived as a member of the family, moved from Bedford, Indiana, to Monroe County, Iowa, near Albia.

In April 1861 he was married to Martha Jane Lemonds who departed this life about one year later, soon after having given birth to their little daughter Ida May, who survived her mother only four short months.

In this same year Abraham Lincoln, the President, made the call to arms for 300,000 more men to help settle the difficulty then brewing between the north and the south. In August he heeded the call of duty and enlisted in the service of his country, joining Co K of the 36th Regiment of the Iowa Volunteers at Albia, Iowa.

He served his county nearly three years. After enduring the hardships of army life, and like many others, sacrificed health. He received an honorable discharge at Davenport, Ia., in May 1865.

After being mustered out of the army, he returned once more to the home of his sister, who had then moved with her husband and family to Glenwood, Mills County, Iowa.

Two years later he was married to Nancy Jane Lawson, who, after three years of married life, was laid to rest in the cemetery at Glenwood, Iowa.

While making his home at Glenwood, the call of the Christ-life came to him, and he united in fellowship with the Baptist church at that place, which profession he maintained throughout the balance of his life. He believed in living his religion in a quiet, peaceful way, endeavoring to be always on peaceful terms with his neighbors, rather than making any loud demonstrations, or proclaiming aloud his deeds of kindness.

He was married December 11th, 1870, to Phebe Ann Creamer. Three children were born to them, Marshall, Anna and Nellie, two of whom are still living. Nellie having been claimed by the white winged messenger on the 19th day of Feb. 1896, only ten days before her mother was summoned to her home beyond the silent river.

He leaves to mourn his death two children, Marshall Humston of Malvern, Ia., and Annie Bell Stevens of Oakland, Ia., one brother who still lives in Indiana and three grand children, Katie, Lester and Leslie, children of his daughter, and other relatives and friends.

On Tuesday 11 a.m. a short service was held at the home of his daughter Mrs. Wade Stevens. The music was in charge of W.W. McRory, the following persons assisting: E.P Harrison, Mrs. E.F. Wents and Mrs. A.C. Haworth. The pall bearers were Samuel Shaw, Charlie Harvey, M.H. Evans, Jesse Stevens, H.A. Van Brek, J.G. Winslow. Services were held at Malvern at 1:30 p.m. in the Baptist church, conducted by P.H. Green of Oakland, assisted by Rev. Galloway pastor of the Baptist church. By request of the deceased the members of the G.A.R. conducted the services at the grave and acted as honorary pall bearers.