Biographical Sketch of

Edward R. Humphrey

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 531 and 532
Hughes, Humphrey, Jones

Edward R. Humphrey, one of the extensive land owners, and Clerk of the 
Court of Waushara County, resides on section 10, in the town of Spring 
Water. He has passed almost his entire life in this community. He was 
born in Waukesha County, on the 20th of January, 1854, and the same 
year was brought by his parents, Robert and Mary (Hughes) Humphrey, to 
Waushara County. His father was born in Wales, and in 1841, emigrated 
to the United States, becoming a resident of Waukesha County, where, in 
the month of August, 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss Hughes, 
who was also a native of Wales. Unto them were born eight children, four 
of whom lived to adult age: John who married Margaret Williams, and is 
living in this county; Catherine; Edward R. and Mary, of Chicago, the 
parents of this family were both members of the Congregational Church, 
in which Mr. Humphrey held the office of Deacon for forty years. They 
were faithful workers in the Master's vineyard, and the earnest and 
consistent lives which they led won them the love and respect of all 
whom they came in contact. Reared to manhood in Waushara County when 
it was situated on the frontier. Edward Humphrey has witnessed the 
greater part of its growth and development, and has been prominently 
connected with its agricultural interests. He received a common-school 
education, and being of studious habits and ambitious to learn, soon 
mastered the studies there taught, after which he engaged in teaching, 
following that profession during the winter for nine seasons. In the 
summer months he worked upon his farm, and is now the owner of 400 
acres of land, 200 of which are now under a high state of cultivation. 
His possessions have been acquired entirely through his own efforts, 
and he is regarded as one of the leading young farmers of the community. 
He is energetic, entertains progressive ideas, possesses good business 
ability, and will no doubt, become one of the wealthy citizens of 
Central Wisconsin. 

On the 4th of March 1881, Mr. Humphrey was joined in wedlock with Miss 
Jennie Jones, a daughter of the Rev. Timothy Jones, of Big Rock, 
Illinois. She was born in 1859, and after about three years and a half 
of happy wedded life, was called to her final rest, passing away on the 
7th of October, 1881. She was a member of the Congregational Church, 
and her death was sincerely mourned by many friends as well as her 
immediate family.

In political sentiment, Mr. Humphrey is a Republican, and a warm 
advocate of the party principles. He has served as Town Treasurer for 
one year, was Town Clerk for four years, and in 1886 was nominated by 
his party for the office of Clerk of the Court of Waushara County. 
When the returns were brought in, it was found that he was elected by a 
handsome majority, and so well did he discharge the duties of the 
office, that he was re-elected in 1888, and is now serving his fourth 
year in that position. 






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