My Genealogy Hound

JOHN F. HUMES, real-estate and collection agent, Tarentum, a son of John and Elizabeth Humes, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1831, of which county his parents were also natives. Their children were William P. (deceased), James G., John F., Thomas M., Mary Jane and Jeremiah W. (deceased). John F. remained at home until nearly fifteen years of age, when he became engaged as teacher at Riddle’s schoolhouse, on the northern turnpike, one and a half miles west of New Salem, Westmoreland county. He taught during summers and attended school winters for a time, eventually reversing the order by teaching in winter and studying in summer. He received his education at Elder’s Ridge, New Derry and Latrobe academies, finally graduating at Duff’s Commercial College. In 1863 Mr. Humes married Rachel M. Shields, of New Salem, Westmoreland county, who died in 1884, after a lingering illness of ten years. Mr. Humes, after his marriage, came to Tarentum, where he engaged in the drug trade for a period of ten years, and upon the organization of the Tarentum bank, in 1871, he was chosen its cashier, and also cashier of the First National Bank of Tarentum until 1885, in which year it went into voluntary liquidation. He then became identified with the business interests of the borough as real-estate and collection agent, which he still follows. Mr. Humes enjoys the confidence of the citizens of Tarentum, and has, from time to time, been called upon to accept positions of honor and trust. In 1886 he married Jennie W. Woodrow, of Fawn township. He has an adopted son named Harry S.