BIO: Thomas HUMPHREYS, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 662 - 664.
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  THOMAS HUMPHREYS, whose valuable farm of 138 acres is situated in Pike 
township, two miles southwest of Curwensville, is one of the substantial and 
useful men of this part of the county.  He was born in Pike township, July 12, 
1840, and is a son of Richard S. and Mary Ann (Wright) Humphreys.
  Richard S. Humphreys was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., where he attended 
school in his early years and then learned the milling business, residing for 
some years after his marriage at Moose Creek.  He then moved to Curwensville, 
where he operated a mill for one year, after which he ran a mill at Clearfield 
for a year.  Mr. Humphreys then returned to the Curwensville mill and for 
several years alternated between his farm which adjoined the one now owned by 
his son, Thomas Humphreys, and Curwensville, finally settling permanently on 
the farm and there his death occurred March 18, 1891, at the age of eighty-nine 
years, his birth having taken place on April 2, 1812.  From the time of its 
organization he was a member of the Republican party.  He married Mary Ann 
Wright, who was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., a daughter of John Wright, and 
died December 24, 1888.  Her burial was at Oak Hill cemetery and three years 
later her husband was laid by her side.  They were members of the Baptist 
church.  Ten children were born to them, as follows:  William, who died in 
infancy; Louisa, who is the wife of Daniel Fost; Thomas; Mary Ellen, who died 
in infancy; Annie M., who lives on the old homestead; Judson M., who resides at 
Reynoldsville, Pa.; John W., who lives on the old homestead; Edward, who died 
when two years old; Emma, who lives with her sister and brother on the old 
homestead; and Ella, who is deceased.
  Thomas Humphreys obtained his education in the common schools and the academy 
at Curwensville, after which he assisted his father on the farm and also worked 
at lumbering.  When Civil war was precipitated he, with other loyal young men 
of his neighborhood, soon gave proof of their patriotism by offering their 
services to their country.  He enlisted in Co. K, in the famous regiment known 
as the Bucktail Rifles, and continued in the army until his honorable discharge 
on December 29, 1862.  Mr. Humphreys was a brave and efficient soldier but this 
did not prevent his suffering from many of the dangers of war.  He participated 
in many skirmishes and in such terrible battles as the second Bull Run, South 
Mountain and Antietam.  He was made a prisoner on one occasion, after having 
been in a swamp for four days with nothing to eat, and was sent to Belle Isle, 
where he fared little better but was finally exchanged.  From the Bull Run 
battle he accompanied his regiment to Frederick City, Md., after which followed 
South Mountain and Antietam.  In the latter battle he was wounded in the jaw 
and also in the neck but it may be noticed that he was never wounded in the 
back.  After his discharge he returned to Pike township and here has been 
engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since.  With the exception of forty acres 
still in valuable timber, Mr. Humphreys has all his land under a fine state of 
cultivation.
  Mr. Humphreys was married first to Miss Mary Martha Wilkins, who was born in 
Jefferson county, Pa.  Five children were born to this marriage, namely:  Lida, 
who lives in Montana; William R., who lives at Grampian, Pa.; John H., who died 
December 24, 1906; and Edward E. and Thomas Roy, both of whom reside at 
Chicago, Ill.  Mr. Humphreys was married second on May 28, 1879, to Mrs. Evanna 
(Haney) Hile, widow of Warren Hile, who was a son of Henry Hile.  Mr. Hile died 
December 11, 1874, and was buried in the McClure cemetery.  He was a member of 
the Baptist church.  Two children survive him:  Henry G., who is a rural mail 
carrier out of Curwensville; and Abby, who is the wife of John A. Dale.  Mrs. 
Humphreys was born March 19, 1852, a daughter of Frederick and Margaret 
(Jordan) Haney.  Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys have had two children:  Margaret Irene 
and James M.  The former was a highly educated young lady, a graduate of 
Bucknell University, and a popular and successful teacher.  Her death occurred 
January 16, 1909, and her burial was in the Oak Hill cemetery.  James M. is a 
student in the Patton graded school and will graduate from that branch with the 
class of 1911.  Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Curwensville.  In politics he is a Republican and once consented to 
serve as treasurer of Pike township.  He is a stockholder in the Curwensville 
National Bank and is treasurer of the Oakland Telephone Company of Pike 
township and Curwensville.