Humphreys Biography

Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912

Humphreys Family Biography

This family is of Welsh ancestry, the founder in the United States being Humphrey Humphreys, who was born in Wales in 1822, was educated in the schools of his native town, where he grew to youthful manhood and followed miaing as an occupation. He came to the United States when a young man, locating in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1883. He was connected with the mines and mining operations in Fayette county until his death. He was a man of intelligence and industry, earning for himself a high reputation. He married Rosanna Funk, born in Fayette county in 1820, died September 15, 1907. Children: 1. Elizabeth A., born August 10, 1843, died September 29, 1854. 2. Edward D., of whom further. 3. Mary F., March 12, 1847. 4. Peter, October 26, 1848, died September 22, 1849. 5. John C., April 25, 1850, died March 19, 1908. 6. George, February 27, 1852, died July 15, 1854. 7. William H., May 14, 1854, died September 19, 1854. 8. Henry R., November 18, 1856. 9. Humphrey, July 12, 1859. 10. Asabel F., August 12, 1861, died January 10, 1881. 11. Stephen A., April 27, 1863. 12. Margaret, April 11, 1867.

(II) Edward D., eldest son of Humphrey and Rosanna (Funk) Humphreys, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1845. He was educated in the public schools, and grew to manhood on the farm. At the age of twenty-one he began contracting in a small way. In 1877 he had established a reputation and enlarged his business, taking contracts for street railway construction, bridges and other large operations, requiring a large force of men. He was for six years superintendent of the Bessemer Coke Company, and is connected with many Fayette county enterprises. He is a man of great energy and admirable business qualities that have brought him success. He has been for many years a stockholder and a director of the Fairchance and Smithfield Street Railway Company, also holding official positions in other corporations. He has carved his own way to fortune and has won an honorable name for upright dealing. He is a Democrat in politics, and for many years an elder of the Presbyterian church.

He married, August 23, 1866, Jane Jordan, born September 29, 1846, daughter of Jonathan, born 1825, and Hester (Case) Jordan. Jonathan Jordan was master mechanic for F. H. Oliphant for about thirty years; he died in Ironton, Ohio, March 9, 1891. His wife, Hester Jordan, born 1827, died July 2, 1891. Children: 1. Walter, born May 8, 1867, died April 1, 1869. 2. Hester Ann, born March 16, 1869, died March 1, 1889. 3. John W., born July 7, 1871; married Alice Abel; children: Blanche, Charles W., Sarah J., Florence J., Leonard D. 4. George L., born September 2, 1873; married Cora Brownfield; children; Edna M., Irene F., Helen H. 5. Homer D., born March 10, 1876, died September 9, 1905; married - Goldsboro, no children; he was killed in a powder mill explosion. 6. Jonathan J., born April 16, 1880; married Martha Lardin; one child, Benjamin L. 7. Blanche, born October 19, 1882; married Edward D. Vinton; no children. 8. Bruce W., born June 13, 1885; unmarried. 9. Ethel D., born April 10, 1888, died March 6, 1889. The family home is at Fairchance, Fayette county, Pennsylvania.

Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.

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• Pennsylvania Biographies Index