The Family of Herbert L. Humphrey and Hester P. White Humphrey

The Parents of Herbert L. Humphrey

Correll M. Humphrey and Emily J. Erwin Humphrey

The Parents of Hester P. White

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. White

Humphrey Family Tree

Erwin Family Tree

White Family Tree

Hester’s Maternal Family Tree

Marriages of Herbert L. Humphrey

Marriage to Hester P. White in 1895

Marriages of Hester P. White

Marriage to Herbert L. Humphrey in 1895

A Letter from Herbert L. Humphrey to his cousin Belle

Minneholme, Abilene, Kansas, 9 February 1933

Dear Cousin Belle,

Those prints of Ozias Humphrey and Parnel Douglas are fine and I shall highly prize them. I have never seen a picture of them and these silhouettes give a good idea of how they looked.

Ozias was born 6 March 1789 and Parnel Douglas was born 3 May 1793. I do not have the date of their marriage but aunt Lenora was born June 2nd 1815. If they were married in 1814 grandmother would have been 21 years old and the silhouettes would be about 120 years old.

When I was back home in 1931 it occurred to me that I did not know much about where grandfather Ozias lived so Wilson got out some notes which father had made. I enclosed a copy of what I wrote at that time which you may keep. I think that Uncle Nelson Castle was related on the Douglas side. Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois belonged to that family.

Ray Humphrey and Grace spent ten days with us in November. It was Rays first trip west and we showed them everything there was to see here. They are located at 48 Broad St. Salamanca N.Y. where Ray is train dispatcher for the Erie. Ray said that grandfather always wore a plug hat, believe it or not. Imagine him out cutting brush with a plug hat on.

I think that Parnel Douglas must have been a wonderful woman. She raised a family of nine children and Anna the mother of Ozias lived with them all the time until she died 25 May 1842. Mother and son lived together 76 years. Isn’t that a record?

Wilson says that part of the house where I was born was built of logs but I do not remember any logs in it.

Philip Wilhelm and his new wife called on us last October. He married Hazel Frederick in San Antonio, Texas Jan 23 193? They live at 621 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City MO. And Phil travels for Goodyear Rubber Co. part of the time by aeroplane.

Theodore Humphrey and Eva have a new baby Roger Lawrence born 22 December 1932. Eva’s family name was Lawrence.

Solon Wilhelm had a copy of the Humphrey genealogy. It may be stored away somewhere in an attic.

I have heard of the Storey Road but couldn’t locate it. Bertha Kiehle, daughter of Elsie, married Nathan Moose. They live in Dansville and have six children, all girls. Elsie is spending this winter with her sons John and George in East Orange N.J.

When we came back from Mnnesota last fall we passed thru Lincoln and drove out to John’s place on 12th St. and saw Mable. We did not know until she told us that John died a year ago this month. How he did enjoy driving those big engines on the Burlington.

Charlie Baird told me that your father and mother were married at the hotel in Hornellsville on New Years Eve and that Peter Baird and his bride were married at the same time. I have the date of that wedding on my paper 29 December 1858. Do you know correct date.?

We often think of the wonderful time we had at your place on 23 August 1931. The only time we ever saw all your family together.

With Love and best wishes for the whole family in which Hester joins.

Herbert L. Humphrey

An Appreciation of Herbert L. Humphrey by Rev. Fuller Bergstresser

Herbert L. Humphrey Died 4 November 1933

Abilene Daily Reflector

20 November 1933

Many treasured friends have passed beyond mortal vision the past few years. Subtract one or two or three staunch friends from one’s life and there is an aching bleakness. Here and elsewhere there were many who counted Herbert L. Humphrey a personal friend. His untimely passing has cast a pall over his many friends. It is impossible to replace an old friend, for friendship is of slow growth, through the years. Many new friends will not repair the loss of one old friend.

One edged up to Herbert L. Humphrey and reposed confidence in him because of his evident true worth. There was no gushing geniality about him. He had no outside glamor, no buttery affection, but was possessed of the gifts and graces of the true gentleman. By instinct and preference he was a gentleman. One could safely trust him. Wisely he kept his friendshis in good repair, and dying, he left behind a host of loyal ones who counted it one of the joys of life to have been his friend.

He was never so busy that he could not give the welfare of the community his sympathy and help. Few in this community have given so unsparingly of time and talent to the public welfare as he. After the devastating flood in 1903 he gave weeks of his time restoring order out of chaos. He took a paternal interest in the public library and for three decades gave that institution his best thought and personal attention. His church instinctively turned to him to head committees and supervise enterprises. He had much to offer the community and was literally swept off his feet by the eagerness of the acceptance of what he was so willing to give. More of Abilene’s men should qualify as public benefactors.

The thought of death should not terrify us. It seems a natural thing, a part of life, just another experience, whatever it is. So many of our friends have faced it. In the meantime, why fret about it? If we live well enough we shall die well enough. We shall have obtained a priceless immortallity if we live in the grateful memory and the affectionate regard of those we leave behind. “With God be the rest.”

Fuller Bergstresser.

A Resolution of the Board of Commissioners

The following was adopted by the Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting held on the 15th day of November, 1933:

WHEREAS, the City of Abilene, Kansas, lost by death on November 4th, 1933, one of its foremost citizens in the person of Mr. H. L. Humphrey who had served as the Mayor from 1905 to 1907.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Commissioners of the City of Abilene, Kansas, that in this death not only the City but the entire community has suffered the loss of the influence of one who was always interested in those things which would further the upbuilding of the community and the welfare of the people.

That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this meeting as a lasting testimonial of the City’s appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. Humphrey, not only as its Mayor, but in the many other ways in which he evidenced his willingness to serve for the good of humanity.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of these resolutions be sent to Mrs. Humphrey with an expression of our sympathy with her in her bereavement.

The Obituary of Herbert L. Humphrey

1860 - 4 November 1933

3

H. L. Humphrey

The Abilene Daily Reflector

November 4, 1933

H. L. Humphrey is Dead

Former Mayor and Leading

Citizen Passes Away

Herbert L. Humphrey, 73, died at his home on North Cedar this morning at 9 o’clock after a week’s illness. He has for 48 years been a leading attorney of the city, a term as mayor, director of the Abilene National Bank for thirty years, member of the Library board, a leader in the Lutheran church were only a part of his activities. He conducted a loan and insurance company under the title Golden Belt Mortgage Co., and was interested in many other business enterprises. He was a member of the Knight templars.

Until a week ago he was busy in his affairs, having recently returned from a summer of vacation at this fishing lodge in Minnesota.

He leaves a wife, one Brother, Henry Wilson Humphrey of New York, three nephews, two nieces and a host of friends to mourn his passing.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2:30 at the house, Rev. Fuller Bergstresser officiating.

The Obituary of Hester P. White Humphrey

20 December 1864 - 7 March 1944

Abilene, Kansas

Tuesday March 14, 1944

Mrs. Hester P. White Humphrey

Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. White, East Groveland, NY, and they named her Hester Parot, at her birth, December 20, 1864. She attended school at the East Greenwich academy, also the State Normal at Geneseo, NY, from which she was graduated in 1888. After teaching at Allegheny, PA, and Lima, NY, she returned to the Geneseo State Normal as superviser.

At Geneseo she met Herbert L. Humphrey, to whom she was married August 14, 1895.

In the spring of 1898 the Humphreys came to Abilene. They purchased the property at 809 North Cedar street, Mr. Humphrey hung out his attorney-at-law sign down town, they united with the Trinity Lutheran church, they entered into the business, political, literary and social life of the town, and began to carve their destiny and make their fortune. It was good for the town and good for them that Abilene became their permanent abode.

Since Mr. Humphrey’s death, November 4, 1933, Mrs. Humphrey has successfully managed the estate, proving herself a skilled businesswoman. She never lost her zest for life, nor got out of touch with the present. She accepted her age, was proud of it, used it, and grew old gracefully. From the very beginning her home burst with hospitality and good cheer. She was devoted to the Kingdom of God. That gave her life meaning, coherence and goal. She was so gifted in prayer that she could reach out and almost touch the fringe of the garment of God. She became an expert in Sunday school work, in missionary enterprise, in all branches of church work. Her life was eloquent in those little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love that make fragrant the memory of days together, when on sits mourning a loved one gone. The town needs dozens of Hester Humphreys, but unfortunately they don’t come in dozen lots.

She died suddenly, Tuesday evening, March 7, slipping away, giving no warning of her going. The funeral service was held in the Lutheran church, Friday afternoon, March 10, with Dr. Fuller Bergstresser officiating. Mrs. A. E. Buenning presided at the organ. Her casket was carried to the grave by O. B. Lndes, Roy Gatchet, E. L. Morse, G. W. Rees, Gerald Shadinger and H. M. Howard.

Miss Lena Swick and Mrs. Howard Richardson, of Lorain, Ohio, Mrs. Ernest Miller, Geneva, NY, T. R. Humphrey, Springwater NY, and M. E. Humphrey, Chickasha, OK, were present at the funeral. Major Charles Swick, San Antonio, Texas, was detained by army duties.

The Burial of Herbert L. Humphrey

Unknown Burial Site

The Burial of Hester P. White Humphrey

Unknown Burial Site

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