Lester H. Humphrey

Lester Hayden Humphrey (January 22, 1850 – March 17, 1902) was an American manufacturer, banker and politician. He served as a member of the New York State Senate.

Lester H. Humphrey
Lester H. Humphrey (1897)
Born	January 22, 1850 Sheldon, New York, U.S.
Died	March 17, 1902 (aged 52) Albany, New York, U.S.
Resting place	Warsaw Town Cemetery Warsaw, New York
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Warsaw Academy
Political party	Republican Party
Spouse(s)	Maude Wilton Skinner
Children	Harry C. Humphrey Onias S. Humphrey Mary E. Humphrey
Parent(s)	Lester Hayden Humphrey Hannah (Blakeley) Humphrey
Relatives	Wolcott J. Humphrey Onias C. Skinner

Early life

Humphrey was born on January 22, 1850, in Sheldon, Wyoming County, New York, the son of Lester Hayden Humphrey (1799–1884) and Hannah (Blakeley) Humphrey (1807-1902).[1] He moved with his family to Warsaw, New York in 1865. He attended the common schools, and Arcade and Warsaw academies.

Career

He engaged in the tanning and leather trade until 1872, and was Vice President of the Wyoming County National Bank from 1873-1888. In 1885, he began the manufacture of salt in Warsaw, and in 1888 co-established a salt plant at Hutchinson, Kansas. In 1890, he sold out his interest in the Hutchinson plant and succeeded his uncle Wolcott J. Humphrey as President of the Wyoming County National Bank.[2] He also continued to engage in the manufacture of salt in Pavilion and Ithaca.

Humphrey was a delegate to the 1888 Republican National Convention, and a member of the New York State Senate (46th District) from 1896 until his death in 1902, sitting in the 119th, 120th, 121st, 122nd, 123rd, 124th and 125th New York State Legislatures.[3] While in the State Senate, he served as Chairman of the Committee of Banks, and worked on reforming bank taxation laws.[4]

He died during the legislative session, on March 17, 1902, at his lodgings in Albany, of pneumonia; and was buried at the Warsaw Town Cemetery in Warsaw, New York.[5]

Family life

On May 18, 1875, Humphrey married Maude Wilton Skinner, daughter of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Onias C. Skinner.[6] Humphrey and his wife had three children: Harry C. Humphrey, Onias S. Humphrey and Mary E. Humphrey.[7]

References

1. "Lester Hayden Humphrey". Ancestry.com. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
2. Rhodes, Bradford (1902). The Bankers Magazine, Volume 64. Bradford Rhodes. p. 640.
3. New York (State). Secretary's Office (1920). Manual for Use of the Legislature of the State of New York. New York (State). Secretary's Office. p. 549.
4. Rhodes, Bradford (1902). The Bankers Magazine, Volume 64. Bradford Rhodes. p. 640.
5. Lyon, J.B. (1902). Proceedings of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York on the Life, Character and Public Services of Lester Hayden Humphrey:. J.B. Lyon. p. 14.
6. "The Humphreys family in America". Internet Archives. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
7. "Lester Hayden Humphrey". Ancestry.com. Retrieved March 19, 2014.

External links

• Lester H. Humphrey at Find a Grave
• The New York Red Book compiled by Edgar L. Murlin (published by James B. Lyon, Albany NY, 1897; pg. 152f and 404)
• SENATOR HUMPHREY DEAD in NYT on March 18, 1902