The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

FAMILY 238.
3237. General Ansel' Humphreys, [1574] {Dea. Alvin,^ Dea. T/ieophilus,^ Lieul. Samuel,*
Ensign Samue/,^ Lieut. Samuel,' Michael,^) was born i June, 1792, in Canton, Hartford Co., Ct.
He married (i) in that town, 29 Nov., 1814, Lois (dau. of Benjamin and Esther Woodruff) Jones,
of Southington, Ct., b. 14 ]May, 1798; died in Canton, Ct., 26 Sept., 1821, ae. 23 years. He
married (2) in Granby, Ct., 18 Apr., 1822, Sarah (dau. of Ozias and Susan) Higley, of G.
She died in JMuscatine, Iowa, 28 July, 1S40. He married (3) at Muscatine, Iowa, 16 May,
184 1, Lura Matthews, who died in that place, 24 Dec, 1863. aged 81 years.
The following notice appeared in a local paper at the time of his death ;
"Gen. Ansel Humphreys, one of our oldest and most respected citizens, died at his resi-
dence in this city (Muscatine, Iowa,) on the evening of the 21st April, 1873, after a brief illness,
in the 8isf year of his age. He removed to this city (then Bloomington) in the spring of 1840.
His life has been one of great activity and energy. Possessed of a vigorous physical constitution,
large intellectual faculties, high moral attributes, and indomitable resolution, he pre-eminently
became a leader in the communities in which he lived. His ability and singleness of purpose
soon won the largest measure of respect, and his warm, generous disposition and open-handed
charity, never closed to the wants of the needy when in his power to aff'ord relief, secured for
him attachment, love and esteem.
"About the year 181 2,, Gen. Humphreys was enrolled in the Hartford County Militia; became
Brigadier-General of the First Brigade of Connecticut Militia. He was discharged in 1840,
with the rank of 'Major-General commanding, having held every grade of office in the service.
When about leaving Connecticut he was offered, but declined, the position of Adjutant-General of
the State. For some fifteen years he severally filled the offices of Deputy-Sheriff", Sheriff", Justice
of the Peace, and other positions of honor and trust. In 1838, he was elected to and served one
term in the State Senate. In 1S51, he was appointed United Slates Commissioner for the State of
Iowa, which position he held until the day of his death.
"It was as a Mason that Gen. Humphreys was most widely known, and his admirable
qualities shone most conspicuously. He had been a member of the order for fifty-five years, and
devoted the larger portion of his life to continued and active labor in its service. He has filled
the highest positions known to the lodges of Ancient Craft Masonry. He occupied the chair of
master of a lodge alone for thirty years. Before the admission of Iowa as a State, and while the
Territory was under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, he was District Deputy
Grand Master of that Grand Lodge for this Territory. When, in 1844, the Grand Lodge of Iowa
was formed, he presided over the convention and drafted the constitution of the present Grand
Lodge. He was three times elected Grand Master, besides serving as Grand Secretary and Grand
Senior Warden. He loved the order with an ardent and enduring aflfection, believing, as he often
asserted, that it inculcated the best code of morals of any existing human organization. Its purest
principles were deeply implanted in his heart; its cardinal virtues—temperance, fortitude, prudence
and justice—and its most excellent tenets—brotherly love, charity and morality—truly formed the
rule and guide to his faith and action. At a ripe old age, full of years and honors, he has been
gathered to his fathers. His death is deeply deplored by a large circle of friends and acquaint-
ances in this city, and will strike a chord of sorrow in the hearts of many throughout tiio
State of Iowa."
Children (born in Cnnton, Cl., excepting the youngest hvo; by ist marriage):
323S. ). LtTi.v Anna,'* b. 14 Jan., 1817; married, at Muscatine, Iowa, 30 Oct., 1842, Judge
Charles Mattoon, a native and resident of Northfield, Mass., born 17 June, 181 6,
son of Elijah and Hannah (Mattoon) Mattoon, his mother being a daughter of
Dr. Sanuicl Mattoon, and a distant relative of her husband. lie died 12 Aug.,
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