Biography of Thomas B. Humphrey Johnson County, Illinois

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
Vera Burnham  vburnham@metrocast.net

                                
Portrait & Biographical Review of Illinois Johnson, Massac, Pope, & Hardin
Counties  Published in 1893 

Page 405 & 406

Thomas B. Humphrey, a blacksmith at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, was born in 
Calloway County, Kentucky November 11, 1846. His father Alfred Humphrey was 
born in North Carolina. He was a farmer and was united in marriage in North 
Carolina with Miss Nancy Pascal. They came from Kentucky to Union County,
Illinois, in the fall of 1854, driving through by land with their family of 
four sons and three daughters and their stock. Thomas was the youngest of the
seven. 

Mr. Humphrey bought forty acres of land on which they lived less than one year
and sold out.They then removed to Johnson County, Illinois in 1855 and entered
320 acres of land near old Reynoldsburg in Tunnel Hill Township. After living 
there five years, they sold out and removed to Missouri.  Living in Crawford
County one year when they returned to Johnson County, Illinois and bought 80 
acres at Tunnel Hill or where that place now is. This move was made in the fall
of 1860 and there they made their permanent home, the father dying there 
April 26, 1873 aged eighty six years. His widow died within a year afterward
aged seventy six. They buried one daughter, Martha, a young lady of sixteen. 
Since the death of the parents James died in Trinty County, TX. in 1874 or 1875,
leaving a wife and family on his farm in that State. The children living are as
follows ; William 2nd. of Paris TN., Sidney D. a farmer in Tunnel Hill Township,
Elizabeth widow of Alvah Lawrence who was a farmer in this vicinity, Lucy wife
of Alvah Dalton a farmer near by and Thomas B. 

Our subject was 26 years old when he married Margaret Ann Colbath who was born
in Tunnel Hill Township, Feburary 14, 1847, whose parents were born and reared
in this county. Thomas B.Humphrey and his wife have lived on the farm ever since 
their marriage.  March 9, 1890 he purchased a half interest in the blacksmith 
and wagon making buisness of J.H. Haily and the firm name is Miller and Humphrey.
Though our subject had served no apprenticeship at any trade, yet he naturally 
takes to mechanics and hence his sucess at his present business. He still owns
his farm of one hundred eighty acres one mile east of Tunnel Hill. He and his
wife have buried three infant children and have eight living.three sons and five
daughters Viz ; Rosa Ann, a young lady of twenty, Ida Jane, Thomas, Edward,
Arthur, Melinda, Julia A., and Adeline, four years old all at home and in school
except the baby. The children are conducting the farm, and Mr Humphrey gives his
attention to his blacksmithing and wagon making . He is an unswerving Republican 
and Master Mason and is also Secretary of Reynoldsburg Lodge # 419.