James Humphrey

As printed in 1881

JAMES HUMPHREY (deceased); born in Virginia Sept. 12, 1891. Was a son of John Humphrey, a native of Ireland, Tyrone Co., born March 6, 1764; he emigrated to America in August, 1780, landing at Philadelphia, and, in October of the same year, he settled in Greenbrier Co., Va. On the 25th of November, 1790, was married to Miss Jane Ward (whose father was killed in an engagement with the Indians at Point Pleasant, Va. In 1793, he removed from Virginia to Mason Co., Ky.; where he remained till April, 1799, when he removed to Ohio and settled on Mad River, about two anda half miles north of Springfield, on the same section of land on which he breathed out his spirit into the hands of God who gave it, his death occurring March 19, 1857, being 93 years of age, and had been a citizen of Clark Co. 58 years. He was, consequently, one of the pioneers, and truly an invader of the forests of Clark Co.; was a valued and highly esteemed citizen, who contributed much by his virtues as such to edify the social and civil interests of the community of which he was a member. But what was better still, he was an earnest, consistent Christian, one about whose memory a sacred unction will abide. He first professed religion in Ireland, as a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the year 1787, and in that church lived and died, having sustained the life of a professor for seventy years. Was one of the two elected to the office of Elder at the organization of the Presbyterian Church at Springfield July 17, 1819, and duly ordained to that office Aug. 19 of the same year. This office he continued to exercise until superannuation disabled him to perform its more active functions. "Though very aged, he was free from “ grief and labor," peculiarly cheerful and happy, possessing an unusual amount of vigor and vivacity which he retained till death laid his cold iron hand upon him. He was the father of fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity and became heads of families. He left as survivors six sons and two daughters, fifty-five grand children and thirty-seven great grandchildren; in all, one hundred descendants. Col. James Humphreys was only 2 years of age when his parents removed to Kentucky, and about 8 years of age when they became settlers of Clark Co., Ohio, and here he grew to manhood under the sturdy influences of pioneer life. Was married, April 15, 1824, to Catharine, daughter of George and Margaret Keifer, natives of Maryland, who became residents of this county in 1812. Catharine was born March 2, 1804; issue, ten children; six now survive—John A., George H., Charles H., Amanda, Mary and Emma C. Col. Humphreys died June 20, 1858, in the 67th year of his age. He was a man who commanded the high regard of the community of which he had been a member so long, and in which he was sò well known; and here his memory will be cherished as an integral part of the history of this community, among whom his remains now lie moldering to dust. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Springfield in 1830, and honored that profession by a consistent department and diligent attendance upon the various means of grace. ' He attended public worship on the Sabbath preceding that on which he died, and enjoyed the communion service, which was peculiarly pleasant to him, or he would not have endured the suffering he did in his critical state of health to attend this means of grace. He died of cancer in the stomach; and though his family mourn his loss, they grieve not as those without hope, as what was their loss was his eternal gain.

As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.