[p. 637] who is an able member of the Lawrence County bar, commanding a large and lucrative practice, was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1868, and is a son of James and Ruth (Studebaker) Humphrey.
The paternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth Humphrey. The former was well known all through Butler County and when he built a tavern it became the center of a little settlement which was named Billsburg, as a familiar and affectionate token of his popularity. His grandson, Joseph William Humphrey, well remembers the old tavern, having lived there during the first ten years of his life. For many years it was the center of activity, being a stopping place on the stage line. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Humphrey were Joseph and Christina (Book) Studebaker, the former of whom was a son of David Studebaker. The latter, David Studebaker, came from Westmoreland to Butler County, when the country was a wilderness and the Indians were still numerous. One of his sisters was captured and carried off by a band of Indians. His two sons, Joseph and Henry, both lived into advanced age, the latter being ninety-six years old when he died. There are two survivors of the large family of William Humphrey and wife: William, who is a merchant at Portersville, Butler County, and Mrs. David P. Davis, of Worth Township, Butler County.
James Humphrey, the late father of Joseph W., resided throughout his whole life in Butler County, with the exception of twelve years, which he spent in California, where he went as one of the pioneers to the gold fields. For a time he prospected for gold, but later engaged in lumbering and when he returned to Butler County he purchased and for many years operated a circular steam saw-mill, which was the first machine of this kind ever brought to this section of the country. He was born in Worth Township on a farm which now belongs to a nephew and he died on a farm adjacent to it. He married Ruth Studebaker, and they had the following children: Christina Elizabeth, who lives in the old home; Joseph William, of Ellwood City; James D., residing at Tarentum, Pa., is a Presbyterian minister and married Blanche Bright, of Pleasantville, Venango County; Mary B., who is a successful teacher in the public schools, resides at home, and is a graduate of the Slippery Rock State Normal School; and Ruth Laura, who resides with her husband, Fred J. McCleary, on the old homestead.
Joseph William Humphrey completed the classical course at Grove City College in 1893, after which he taught in the Butler High School for one year and then entered the law office of John Marshall at Butler. In the spring of 1896 he was admitted to practice in the courts of Butler and Lawrence Counties, and after his marriage at that time established his residence at Ellwood City. He has taken an active part in everything that materially concerns this community. In politics he is a Democrat and ever exerts his influence in favor of the principles he believes to be right. He is serving in his sixth year as a member of the Ellwood City School Board.
In 1896, Mr. Humphrey was married to Miss Elda C. Hugus, who is a daughter of George B. and Elizabeth Hugus. Her parents formerly resided on their farm, but now live retired at Grove City. Mrs. Humphrey is a graduate of the Grove City College. Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey have four children: Gladys Pauline, Raymond Wayne, Josephine Wilhelmina and Eleanor Hugus. They are active members of the First Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Humphrey is an elder.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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