H. A. HUMPHREY DEAD.

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FORMER COMMISSIONER DIED

SUDDENLY SATURDAY.

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FELL DEAD OUT OF A CHAIR.

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Had Lived in Chautauqua County

Many Years---Raised Large Family

---Burial at Belknap Sunday Afternoon

---Oddfellows Officiated.

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H. A. Humphrey, a former county commissioner and one of the county’s best known farmers, died very suddenly at 7 o’clock Saturday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. D. Jelf, in the west part of town. He had eaten a hearty breakfast, and had remarked that he felt unusually well. He then sat down by the kitchen stove and placed his feet on the oven fender. He sat there a few moments and then looking up at his daughter smiled at her. In the next instant he fell from the chair to the floor and in a moment was dead.

Mr. Humphrey’s life was a long and useful one. He was honest, upright, industrious and agreeable in every act and deed. His neighbors all liked him and that, after all, is a pretty good testimonial to a man’s character. Mr. Humphrey owned a large farm near Leeds in Center township and until his health began to fall had made a success of it. He served two terms as county commissioner, acquitting himself with honor and credit.

The following is a biographical sketch:

Harvey A. Humphrey was born at Powell, Delaware county, Ohio, October 24th, 1841. In December 1861, he enlisted in Company I, 82nd Ohio infantry volunteers, and was discharged in September, 1862, on account of disability incurred in the line of duty in the service of his country. In 1864 he enlisted in Company K, 145th Ohio National Guards and was discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment.

He was married to Ida Benton, April 2, 1867. To this union twelve children were bron, nine of whom are still living: Cyrus E.; Arthur E.; Harvey A.; and Victor W. Humphrey all of near Wauneta, Kas.; C. F. Humphrey of New Meadows, Idaho; Mrs. W. D. Jelf; Mrs. Martin Speed; Mrs. W. W. Gibson of Sedan, Kas.; and Mrs. F. F. Green of Leeda, Kas. The deceased moved from Decatur county, Iowa to Kansas in 1879 and settled in Chautauqua county in 1880, where he resided until his death, which occurred in Sedan at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. D. Jelf on Saturday morning June 1, 1912.

He leaves a devoted and now grief stricken widow and the above named children and a host of friends.

He was a member of Sedan lodge No. 141, I. O. O. F., and the lodge here, assisted by the Odd Fellows of Wauneta, had charge of the funeral services. The funeral sermon was delivered by Rev. J. D. McBrian and was listened to by an unusually large audience, at the church at Belknap, from the text Job 14-14.

The cause of death was Bright’s disease, and Mr. Humphrey was under the care of physicians since last August. On the morning of his death he seemed much better until a few moments before he expired.