MR. JOHN WILLIAM HUMPHREY. MIDDLE GRANVILLE, WASHINGTON, NEW YORK.
J. W. Humphrey died in Middle Granville last Friday, aged seventy eight years and five months. He came to this country in 1850, and first settled with his family near Utica, New York, but the following year he removed to Castleton, Vermont, and resided there and in the north part of the town of Poultney until the spring of 1857, when he moved to Middle Granville, where he remained until his demise.He was a deacon in the Welsh Presbyterian church during his entire residence there, and prominent in all godd works of the church. He had a class of twelve to fifteen ladies in Sunday School, the most of them members of his class for over twenty five years.
At his funeral which took place on Monday thirteen ladies of his former class, and well advanced in years, followed the hearse on foot from the house to the church, where impressive services were held, the rev. Mr. Roberts, officiating, assisted by Rev. Mr. Thomas of Fair Haven, the church being crowded to its utmost capacity, a large number being from the neighbouring towns of Poultney, Castleton, Fair Haven and Pawlet.
He leaves two sons, R. J. Humphrey of Poultney and D. J. Humphrey of Hoosick Falls, and one daughter, Mrs. R. W. Jones of Middle Granville, to mourn his loss. He had but one brother now living, James Humphrey of Brookfield, New York, and who was present at the funeral. He also had two half brothers, Henry D., now living in Prospect, New York, and Griffith, who lives in California.
His wife died May 14, 1879, since which time he has been living with his daughter, who cared for him as only a daughter can.
The bearers were William E. Jones, Griffith Jones, David Williams, Griffith R. Davies, William J. Jones and John Edwards, deacons and co-workers with the deceased.
The following communication will show the estimate in which he was held by the public :
J. W. Humphrey died march 23rd, 1888, aged seventy-nine years. "I am here; and lo, he whose heart was that of a little child had answered to his name and stood in the presence of his Maker," and leaving behind a record of reverence, of quiet unassumption, of unostentatious probity and the love of all who ever knew him.
Nearly forty years ago, making his first new home in the land of his adoption in what was known as the "Gates neighbourhood," Castleton, his well known benign countenance and fervent prayers, although uttered in the then "unknown tongue" were always a benison, and although few could understand the words the meaning was as clear to all as if uttered in the vernacular. His faith was of the kind "which could move mountains" and none of those fervent few who met weekly in the little old red schoolhouse for prayer and praise ever failed to grasp "Brother Humphrey" by the hand at parting.
His removal to Granville, the rearing and education of his children, his daily life there - what better epitaph, what eulogy as pertinent.
The close of his life was but a continuance of his first days, and truly can it be said of him "neither was guile found in his mouth."