Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 29 Jun 2005

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859

WILLIAM HUMPHREYS, cooper; P. O. Waynesville; born in Washington Township, this County, Dec. 13, 1829, is the son of James and Elizabeth (Long) Humphreys , natives of New Jersey, who emigrated to Ohio and located in this county in 1815, and here opened out a farm from the woods, and passed through the trials and deprivations of pioneer life, and died on the same farm where he first located, departing this life Feb., 9, 1879, aged nearly eighty-seven years; his wife died Jan. 31, 1855. Of the thirteen children born to them, eight now survive, viz., John L., Lewis, David L., Tamson L., William, Elizabeth, James and Sarah E. Mr. Humphreys was thrice married; first to Phebe Rose, by whom he had two children - one now surviving - Hannah, now Mrs. Stearns, residing in Illinois. His third and last wife was Sarah Riley to whom he was united in marriage March 12, 1856, and with whom he lived till his death. Mr. Humphreys made a continued residence on his farm in Washington Township of sixty-three years- a period of time equaled by but few even of the pioneers. He was one of the permanent and prominent farmers of that township, and was Township Trustee for many years. Our subject remained with his father till his majority, brought up to farm labor; then he worked at sundry places for wages for a time, when he finally learned the cooper trade; was married, June 22, 1854, to Margaret, daughter of Phillip and Ann Hawke, natives of England, who were parents of thirteen children, of whom three now survive -Philip, Mary Ann and Margaret. Mr. Hawke was thrice married. By his first wife he had two children, both now deceased. By his second wife be had two children - one surviving - John. Mr. Hawke departed this life in England. Oct. 8, 1848, aged 71 years. In 1853, his widow