Greenbrier County, West Virginia Biography of MATHEW NELSON HUMPHREYS. This biography was submitted by Sandy Spradling, E-mail address: This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm History of Greenbrier County J. R. Cole Lewisburg, WV 1917 p. 256-258 MATHEW NELSON HUMPHREYS. Mathew N. Humphreys' grandparents were John and (Robinson) Humphreys, who came from Tyrone county, Ireland, in 1790 and located in Monroe county, West Virginia. By this union were Alexander, John, Mathew, and Robert. Mathew, born April, 1811, married Louisa Patton, born July 14, 1818, the daughter of Tristrem and Jane Patton, in the year 1838. By this union were seven boys: Alexander R., Mathew N. and Robert M., twin brothers, Tristrem P., Oliver B., Henry W., and Augustus B.; two girls, Isabelle J., who married Alexander Robert Jackson, and Elizabeth M., who married Moses Coffman. Alexander R. Humphreys married Miss Mary Boyd, of Texas, April 3, 1875. Mathew N. married Miss Mary C. Rodgers, November 7, 1872. Tristrem P. married Miss Rosa Gibson, October 7, 1875. Oliver B. married Miss Lillian White, September 28, 1898. Henry W. married Miss Lizzie Burdette, November 25. 1885. Augustus B. married Miss Della Hogsette. April 6, i88i. He died October 13, 1881. The subject of this sketch was born at the mouth of Monroe draft on November 14, 1843. His boyhood days were spent on the farm, but when only a youth he entered the Confederate army and spent three years, participating in a number of battles and spent several months in prison. Mr. Humphreys entered the army as a volunteer and joined Company D, first commanded by his brother, Alexander, and later by Capt. Frank Burdette. This company belonged to Edgar's battalion. In the battle of Lewisburg his twin brother, Robert, fighting by his side, was killed. When his company retreated he refused to leave the dead brother, whose body he was carrying from the field when he was captured by the enemy. He was taken to Camp Chase, where he suffered the horrors of prison life for four months, after which he was taken to Vicksburg and exchanged. The intention of the Confederate officers around Vicksburg was to enlist the exchanged soldiers into service in Louisiana and Texas. Mr. Humphreys, not agreeing to this arrangement, passed through the lines, being regarded as a mere boy, and wended his way back home. He reported intentions of the Confederate leaders to the authorities at Richmond, who ordered the return of the Virginia soldiers to serve in their own State. After the war he taught school several terms, then engaged successfully in farming. He married Miss Mary C. Rodgers, third daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Coffman) Rodgers, on November 7, 1872, and located in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, near Organ Cave. To these were born Minnie S., D. Clark, Prank E., Harry C., Sallie R., Ira D., and Gertrude, all of whom are living at this writing. D. Clark Humphreys, eldest son of Mathew N. Humphreys, is located on a farm near Organ Cave. He married Miss Maggie E. Miller, September 4, 1901. Their children are Charles Milton, Mary Janice, and Beulah Ellen. Minnie S. Humphreys and Ira D. Humphreys are on the farm at home. Frank E. Humphreys located in New York City in 1904 and ever since has held an important position with the elevated railroad of that city. Harry C. Humphreys graduated from Marshall College State Normal in 1904, then entered the University of West Virginia. where he graduated, receiving his Bachelor degree. Having served as district supervisor of schools for three years, he entered the University of Wisconsin, where he received his Master degree. He is now at the head of the department of education at Athens Normal School. Sallie R. Humphreys graduated from Marshall College in 1906 and has taught successfully in the city schools of Charleston, W. Va., and Madison, Wis., where she is now located as teacher. Gertrude, the youngest, graduated from Charleston (W. Va.) High School in 1914 and is now spending her second year in the University of Illinois. The death of Mathew Nelson Humphreys occurred at his home at 9.30 A. M., Saturday, December 18, 1915. He was a kind husband and father, a man of solid, substantial qualities, was sincere in his love for his kindred and friends. He was public spirited and identified himself with the best interests of his county, particularly things pertaining to education. For thirty-three years he was secretary of the board of education of his district. For thirty-odd years he had been a member of the Salem Presbyterian Church and for the last seventeen years a ruling elder.