My Genealogy Hound

John K. Humphrey, a well-known and enterprising farmer and stock dealer of Mount Pleasant Township, was born in Washington County, Ky., October 22, 1826, and is the son of William and Eliza Ann (Pettitt) Humphreys. The father was a native of Washington County, Ky., December 14, 1802, and died in Knox County, Mo., August 8, 1884. The Humphrey family is of English descent. The father, with his family, left Kentucky and came to Lewis County, Mo., about 1841, and from there to Scotland County, about 1850, where he remained until after the war. He then moved to Knox County, Mo., where he passed the remainder of his days. He was a farmer, and served as constable for several years. The mother of our subject was a native of Fauquier County, Va., born December 28, 1800, and was of German descent. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in Scotland County, Mo., May 21, 1886. Our subject is the eldest of ten children, five now living. He received the rudiments of an education in Kentucky, and attended school a short time after coming to Missouri. He remained with his parents until 1848, when he married Rachel Davis, a daughter of R. M. Davis. She was born in Mercer County, Ky., May 14, 1830, was a member of the Christian Church, and died in Scotland County, Mo., October 4, 1874. To this union were born five sons and eight daughters; four sons and three daughters now living. After marriage our subject rented land for two years, after which he purchased land in Knox County, where he lived six years. He then purchased the land that he now owns, and moved on the same. In 1854 he was living in Scotland County, and was elected magistrate, which position he held for twenty years. He is a worthy member of the Christian Church, and was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F., when living in the vicinity of a lodge. He is a Democrat, and a man much respected by all his acquaintances. He never sued, and was never sued, and has never been a witness before a jury except once, and that was before the grand jury.