The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

Children ;
4125. I. William Henry/ b. 28 Apr., 1837, at Nashville, Tenn. ; d. 11 Aug., 1837, oc. 4 mos.
4126. II. Anne Elizabeth,^ b. 29 June, 1S38, at Nashville, Tenn.; d. 11 Aug., iSjS, k. i mo.
4127. III. William Henry, ^ b. 18 Apr., 1840, at Nashville, Tenn.; d. at Aaburn, N. Y., 10
Oct., 1S40, ae. 6 months.
412S. IV. Mary Angeline,^ b. 21 June, 1841. Has been a teacher from girlhood. Res.
Brentwood, Cal.
4129. Y. Laura Adeline,^ b. 26 July, 1843, at Clarksville, Tenn. Has been a teacher from
girlhood. Res. Brentwood, Cal.
4130. YI. Alfred Lathrop,'' b. 5 Dec., 1846, at Clarksville. Has been a clerk. Res.
Brentwood, Cal.
4 13 1. ^TI. George Frederick,' b. i Nov., 1848, at Clarksville; d. 1S50.
FAMILY 387.
4132. Hon. George' Humphreys, [2642J
669
(Br. Eras/us,^ Capt. Asher,^ Esq. Oliver,*
Jonal/ian,i Lieut. Samuel,- Michael^) was born 15 Mch., 1814, in Marcellus, Onondaga Co., N. Y.
He removed with the family to Auburn, N. Y., in October, 1823, received his education at the
Auburn Academy, under the tuition of Noble D. Strong and Rev. John C. Rudd, D. D. ; entered
Amherst College under the presidency of Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D. , in 1833, '34 and '35.
His health failing, he returned home, and subsequently entered the office of Governor and after-
wards Senator and Secretary William H. Seward. He remained with Governor Seward through
all the labors and somewhat exciting scenes of the Governor's Agency of the Holland Land Com-
pan3' at Mayville and Westfield, Chautauqua Co., and until his admission to the bar 13 July,
183S. He was married by the Rev. IMr. Putnam, in Sheldon, Genesee (now Wyoming) Co.,
N. Y., 28 May, 1840 [see Fam. 90, S-.], to Lucia Williams, youngest dau. of Godfrey and
Deborah (Lobdel) Grosvenor. She was born at Minot, Cumberland Co., Me., 28 June, 1S21;
died at Buffalo, N. Y., 7 Mch., 1877, se. 55 years.
He settled as a lawyer in Cato, Cayuga Co., in 1840. He was elected first Judge of
Cayuga County in 1S51, and reelected in 1853 and in 1S59, making his twelve years of uninter-
rupted service on the bench. He removed to Auburn in 1852, and was IMayor of the city there
three successive terms, in 1861, '62 and '63.
When he settled in his profession as a lawyer, in Cato, Cayuga Co., he was the only
lawyer on the north side of the Seneca River in the County, and the people were emerging from
the rudeness of their woods and stumps to the more cultivated form and style of advanced and
refined rural life. Judge Humphreys entered into all the labors, sports and improvements of their
life with a keenness and relish born of ancestral traits. He was the friend of everybody, the
genial, kind-hearted, patient advisor and counsellor of all, and when nominated as first Judge of
the County, he \vas elected by a larger majority than any other man, before or since, ever received
in the County. On the bench he was patient, reserved, dignified and painstaking to a fault; the
friend of the oppressed, and yet severe enough to persistent evil-doers, whether of high or low
degree. His decisions were rarely called in question. One very remarkable case came before
him, which will bear repetition. A convict in the Auburn State Prison, Francis S. Edemoine,
alias John y\. Coss, who had been convicted of forgery and allowed many privileges, obtained
from Gov. Horatio Seymour, a pardon through fraud. He was a fine penman, and was put to
keeping t"lie account of one of the contractors, and when any of the officers of the prison or
contractors wished their cards written, they gave him their signatures, and he would write them
in fine style. In this way he obtained the signature of the keeper, Mr. Pomeroy, the warden,