MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 52
submitted by Neal Carter, Aug. 25, 2007

OBITUARY

Death of Gen. Ansel Humphreys

Daily Journal April 22, 1873 (handwritten)

We are again called on to announce the death of one of our oldest and most respected citizens. Gen. Ansel Humphreys died at his residence in this city on the evening of the 21st inst., after a brief illness, in the 81st year of his age. He was born in Hartford county, Conn., June 1st, 1792, and removed to this city (then Bloomington) in the spring of 1840. His life has been one of great activity and energy. Possessed of a vigorous physical constitution, large intellectual faculties, high moral attributes and indomitable resolution, he pre-eminently became a leader in the communities in which he lived. His ability and singleness of purpose soon won the largest measure of respect, and his warm, generous disposition and open-handed charity, never closed to the wants of the needy when in his power to afford relief, secured for him attachment, love and esteem.

About the year 1812, Gen. Humphrey was enrolled in the Hartford county militia, from which he was discharged in 1840, with the rank of Major General commanding, having held every grade of office in the service. When about leaving Connecticut he was offered, but declined, the position of Adjutant General of the State. For some fifteen years he severally filled the offices of deputy sheriff, sheriff, justice of the peace and other positions of honor and trust. In 1838 he was elected to and served one term in the State Senate. In 1851 he was appointed United States Commissioner for the State of Iowa, which position he held until the day of his death.

Gen. Humphreys was thrice married – first, in 1814, to Miss Lois Jones; second, in 1822, to Miss Sally Higby; his third wife was Miss Laura Matthews, of this city, to whom he was married in 1841. Of these unions six children were born, three sons and three daughters, three of whom – one son and two daughters – are still living. With one of these daughters, the widow of Major Abraham John, of the 35th Iowa infantry, who fell at the battle of Yellow Springs, Ark., in 1864, he resided until his death.

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