The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

2775. V. George Frederick.s b. 25 June, 1858, Detroit, Mich.; is in the express business. Res.
(1884) New York City.
2776. vi. Mary Elizabeth.^ b. 22 Aug. 1S61, Elba, N. Y.; rt-s. (1S84) Batavia, N. Y.
2777. vii. John Henry,* b. 21 Oct. 1863, Elba, N. Y.; is postal clerU in the Batavia Post Office (1884).
2778. viii. Augustus,* b. 29 Jan. 1869, Batavia, N. Y.
2779. ix. Robert Edward," b. 29 Mch. 1872, Batavia, N. Y.
FAMILY 199.
2780. Hector'^ Humphrey, l^izSo] (Sylvanus,^ Sylvanus,* Chartes.,^ Lieut Samuel,"
Michael,^) was born 24 Dec, 1806, in Onondaga, N. Y. He married, 20 Oct., 1838, Hannah
Maria (dau. of Elnathan and Marshall) Patterson, b. 30 Nov., 18 18, near Schuylersville,
Saratoga Co., N. Y. They resided in Batavia, N. Y., where he died ^ June, 1855, a>. 48 years.
Mrs. Humphrey's P. O. address is (1884) Batavia, N. Y.
Hector Humphrey was associated with his brother Bissell, in the hotel and stage business,
up to the time the latter removed to Michigan; and he afterwards engaged in the livery business.
He was much esteemed by his townsmen and a large circle of acquaintances as a good neighbor,
and a man of probity and honest dealings. He was a born wag and story-teller,— "a tellow of
infinite jest;" had a keen insight and appreciation of the ludicrous in character and might have
made his mark on the "boards," as a humorist or comedian. In his last sickness, his numerous
friends took turns as night-watchers with him, among them the late Mr. Lucas Seaver, a brother
of the late William A. Seaver, the recent editor of the "Drawer' in Harper's Monlhly, and himself
a man of many accomplishments. A few days before Mr. Humphreys demise, he e.xpressed his
regret to Mr Seaver that he should have been so much of a tax on the kindness and patience
of his friends; but was promptly stopped with, "Mr. Humphrey, these apologies are entirely super-
fluous and unnecessary. The obligation is upon us. You have entertained us all.' And this
undoubtedly expressed the general sentiment. There was no sting to our humorist's humor. The
subject of it, while figuring for the amusement of others, generally acquired, in his involuntary
role of a laughing-stock, a sort of compensating distinction and popularity that never forsook him.
Mr. Humphrey had an inexhaustible fund of anecdotes about all sorts of odd customers who had
been thrown in his way,—many of them his personal acquaintances, —and his good-humored de-
lineations of their peculiarities, and stories in illustration of them, were inimitable in their way,
and are still remembered and quoted. Doctor Samuel Johnson remarked to Boswell, that "to be
a good mimic requires great powers; great acuteness of observation; great retention of what is
observed; and great pliancy of organs to represent what is observed." This is true without a
doubt; and notwithstanding Dr. Johnson's accompanying observation that "it is making a very
mean use of a man's powers," it is a rare power, and the noted possessors of it have generally
managed to secure their full share of immortality along with other artists.*
Children:
2781 I. George Hector,' b. 19 Oct., 1839; d. 17 June, 1880, £e. 40; married Margaret
Cornelia Pardee. Family 401.
2782. II. Frances Elizabeth,' b. 31 Jan., 1841; married Reuben Humphreys' Farnham,
[Family 65 (1183), S.']
2783. III. Charles Bissell,' b. 22 Sept., 1843; died at Batavia, N. Y., in September, 1855,
a;. 1 2 years.
" Furnished by R. H. Farnham, Esq.
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