Charles A. Humphreys
One of the best-known and most successful men in his own particular line of endeavor in Ohio, Charles A. Humphryes, of Ironton, is one of the earliest settlers of the Hanging Rock Region, and although much of his life has been spent outside of its borders he is valued as a helpful citizen and as a man who through his own achievements has contributed to the importance and prestige of the community in which he now makes his home. Mr. Humphryes was bom in Pike County, Missouri, November 2, 1852, and is a son of William G. and Diana (Beekmann) Humphryes.
William G. Humphryes was a native of the old State of Virginia, where he was born in 1827, and there grew up amid agricultural surroundings, so that in his youth he adopted the vocation of farmer. In 1857 he removed to Bloom Furnace, Scioto County, Ohio, and for some years engaged in teaming around the iron furnaces, but in later life went to Jackson, the county seat of Jackson County, Ohio, and there passed away in 1895. Mr. Humphryes was married to Miss Diana Beekmann, who was born in Ohio in 1830, and she died in 1869, having been the mother of seven children: Ellen, Charles A., James A., Annie, Asbury J., May and a child which died in infancy. Mr. Humphryes was subsequently married to Margaret Williams, a widow, who survives and makes her home at Jackson, and three children were born to them: Benjamin, William and Walter.
Charles A. Humphryes received only limited educational advantages in his youth, attending the Scioto County public schools until he was eleven years old and at that early age entering upon life's responsibilities as a worker in the mines. He was thus employed until reaching the age of seventeen, when he became assistant engineer to old John Loomis, who had charge of the machinery at Bloom Furnace, and under his guidance received his first instruction in the line in which he was to gain his success in life. After remaining three years in this capacity, Mr. Humphryes became assistant engineer at the Scioto Furnace, where he remained one year, and then spent a like period as engineer at the Buckhorn Furnace, following which he became engineer for the iron and steel plant located at Ironton, and was so engaged three years. This was followed by a similar period in the same capacity at the Big Etna Furnace, and one year at the Campbell Sarah Furnace, this being succeeded by four years at the Hanging Rock Furnace. In 1890 Mr. Humphryes became identified with the Amencan Water and Guarantee Company, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as constructing engineer, and for nearly a quarter of a century was in charge of the water works at Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Humphryes is an expert in the placing, construction and perfecting of water works and equipment, particularly in the line of filtration plants, and at this time has two patents on filtration improvements which are meeting with much favor among constructing engineers all over the country. He has made a specialty of putting in water works machinery, and although he is now somewhat retired from active business life, is still frequently called into consultation in the installing of important and difficult plants.
Mr. Humphryes was married at Ironton, November 2. 1878, to Miss Maria Lanton, daughter of Edward Lanton of this city, and five children have been born to this union: Edward, who is general superintendent of the water works at Little Rock, Arkansas, married Pearl Horschell, and has one child—Edward, Jr.; Howard, a railroad machinist of Dellsworth, Minnesota; Addie. a stenographer living at Erie, Pennsylvania; Bertha, who is a well-known actress; and Chester, a practicing chemist. Mr. Humphryes is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Presbyterian Church, and his political belief is that of the republican party. He is an ardent sportsman, and frequently takes hunting and fishing trips, seldom returning without some worthy trophy of field or stream. Since returning to Ironton, in 1914, he has renewed acquaintances and re-established friendships, and is continuing to show an interest in the growth and development of the region to which he first came so many years ago.
From "A Standing History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio" by Eugene B. Willard, Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman and Charles B. Taylor. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1916