George Humphrey

HUMPHREY, SMITH, SHEETS, LEWIS

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/5/2001 at 21:46:42

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
GEORGE HUMPHREY
George Humphrey, deceased is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Van Buren County Iowa. He was born in Ohio, about the year 1826, and was a son of David and Mary Smith Humphrey, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of the Buckeye State. The family came to this county in 1832, our subject being then a lad of six summers. He was reared to manhood amid the wild scenes of frontier life and in consequence his educational advantages were limited.
Having attained to mature years, Mr. Humphrey was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sheets. Their marriage was celebrated in Van Buren County, and unto them were born three children, but two died in infancy. Benjamin F. who was born July 3, 1854, in Illinois, is the only surviving child of that marriage. He is now engaged in business in Milton.
Mr. Humphrey was a farmer by occupation and followed that business throughout his entire life. He continued the cultivation of his farm in Des Moines Township until about 1853, when he removed to Illinois, where he continued to reside until 1856. Again coming to Van Buren County, he located upon a farm in Des Moines Township, where he continued to reside until called from this life. His wife died in 1858, and in 1861 he was again married, his second union being with Miss Nancy Lewis. In the fall of that year, while riding in Northern Missouri, Mr. Humphrey was caught and shot by guerrillas near Mt. Sterling, and after his death a son was born unto Mrs. Humphrey, George who went West was married in Oregon and is now living in Thompson Falls Montana. Mr. Humphrey was a Republican in politics and a valued citizen whose loss was felt throughout the entire community. He had been identified with the growth and progress of the county in its earlier days, had done what he could for its advancement and in both public and private life had so conducted himself that he won the respect of all with whom he came in contact. Mrs. Humphrey still survives her husband and is living in Thompson Falls, Montana.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family