San Joaquin County
Biographies
WILLIAM G. HUMPHREY
WILLIAM G. HUMPHREY.-- Among
the young business men of Stockton, none enjoys a higher standing than he whose
name heads this sketch. He is a native of Stockton, born January 22, 1857. His
father, Thomas G. Humphrey, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and a school
teacher by profession, came to Stockton, California, in 1850. He was in
Stockton in that year, and went from here to the mines of Calaveras County.
After a comparatively brief mining experience at San Andreas and at Angel’s
Camp, he gave up that occupation and returned to Stockton, where, in
partnership with Robert Miller, he engaged in the grocery business, on the
corner of Main and Sutter streets. This firm continued in business several
years. Mr. Humphrey also manufactured drapers and grain cleaners in this city.
He was one of the organizers of the Avon Theatre, and managed it until his
death, in 1884. Before the building of the Opera House, he operated a
planing-mill on that site for several years, in connection with S. Williams,
the firm being Williams & Humphrey. He was an active man, and had served
the city as a councilman. His wife, who is yet living in this city, was
formerly Jane D. Churchill, and her maiden name was Reed. She was born at
Plymouth, Massachusetts, and came to California by sea in 1849.
William G. Humphrey, with whose name this
sketch commences, was reared and educated in Stockton, and on arriving at a
suitable age, began to assist his father in connection with his various
business enterprises, to which he succeeded upon his father’s death. He carries
on the business of manufacturing drapers, as well as managing the Avon Opera
House. He also owns the bill-boards throughout the city, and has an extensive
business in the line of display advertising in the city and country surrounding.
He was married in this city to Miss Luella
Smith, a native of Napa.
Mr. Humphrey is a member of Charter Oak
Lodge, K. of P. He is a Republican politically, and is an important factor in
the councils of the party.
Mr. Humphrey is a genial, courteous
gentleman, and a thorough business man, and enjoys the respect and confidence
of the many with whom he is thrown in contact in business circles.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 598-599. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
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