The Honorable Herman L. Humphrey | |
|---|---|
From 1882'sPublic Men of To-Day | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromWisconsin's7th district | |
| In office March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883 | |
| Preceded by | Jeremiah Rusk |
| Succeeded by | Gilbert M. Woodward |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Judgefor the 8th Circuit | |
| In office January 1, 1867 – March 4, 1877 | |
| Preceded by | Lucien P. Wetherby |
| Succeeded by | Egbert B. Bundy |
| 8th Mayor ofHudson, Wisconsin | |
| In office April 1865 – April 1866 | |
| Preceded by | C. R. Coon |
| Succeeded by | J. H. Brown |
| Member of theWisconsin Senate from the28th district | |
| In office January 6, 1862 – January 4, 1864 | |
| Preceded by | Charles B. Cox |
| Succeeded by | Austin H. Young |
| Member of theWisconsin State Assembly from theSt. Croix district | |
| In office January 3, 1887 – January 7, 1889 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Porter |
| Succeeded by | Edward Conner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1830-03-14)March 14, 1830 |
| Died | June 10, 1902(1902-06-10) (aged 72) |
| Resting place | Old Willow River Cemetery,Hudson, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | |
| Children |
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| Signature | |
Herman Loin Humphrey (March 14, 1830 – June 10, 1902) was anAmerican attorney, judge, andRepublican politician. He served three terms in theUnited States House of Representatives, representingWisconsin's 7th congressional district (1877–1883). Prior to his election to Congress, he was aWisconsin circuit court judge for ten years in western Wisconsin, and served two years in theWisconsin State Senate. Some sources give his middle name asLeon.[1]
Born inCandor, New York, Humphrey attended the public schools, except for one year spent at theCortland Academy, inHomer, New York. At age 16, he was employed as a merchant's clerk inIthaca, New York.[2] While living in Ithaca, heread law at the office of Walbridge & Finch, and was admitted to the bar. Sometime prior to 1854, moved west toWisconsin, where he was one of the early settlers at the village ofChippewa Falls. At the initial organization ofChippewa County, he was the only lawyer present at the first session of the court, in January 1854, and was appointed the firstdistrict attorney of the county.[3]: 68
He soon relocated toHudson, Wisconsin, where he established a legal practice. In 1860, he was appointed County Judge ofSt. Croix County, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge E. A. Clapp,[4] he was subsequently elected to a full four-year term in the Spring of 1861. He resigned, however, after less than a year in office when he was elected to theWisconsin State Senate that fall. He served in the Senate for the 1862 and 1863 sessions. At the Republican State Convention in 1863, his name was placed in nomination for the office ofLieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, but he came in a distant third place as the convention choseWyman Spooner for that office.[5] In 1865, he was elected Mayor of Hudson, and served one year.[6]: 949
In the 1866 Spring election, Humphrey defeated incumbentWisconsin circuit court judge Lucien P. Wetherby for his seat in the 8th judicial circuit. He was subsequently re-elected to a second six-year term in 1872.[2]
At the 1876 Republican Convention inWisconsin's 7th congressional district, Humphrey's name was placed in nomination against incumbent CongressmanJeremiah McLain Rusk. Gilbert E. Porter of Eau Claire was also seeking the nomination.[7] After ten ballots with none of the three capable of achieving a majority, Porter and Rusk withdrew, and Humphrey was unanimously nominated.[8] Humphrey went on to win election to theForty-fifth,Forty-sixth, andForty-seventhCongresses (March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883). Following the 1880 census and reapportionment, Wisconsin gained an 8th congressional seat, and Humphrey was placed in the new district. His bid for nomination for another term was defeated at the district convention byWilliam T. Price, who was heavily favored by theTemperance faction.
He resumed his legal practice in Hudson. He served one final term in government, representing St. Croix County in theWisconsin State Assembly for the 1887–1888 session.[9]
He died in Hudson, Wisconsin, June 10, 1902, and was interred in Willow River Cemetery.
His former home, now known as theHerman L. Humphrey House, is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[10]
| Wisconsin State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theWisconsin State Assemblyfrom theSt. Croix district January 3, 1887 – January 7, 1889 | Succeeded by |
| Wisconsin Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theWisconsin Senatefrom the28th district January 6, 1862 – January 4, 1864 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromWisconsin's 7th congressional district March 4, 1877 - March 3, 1883 | Succeeded by |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by Lucien P. Wetherby | Wisconsin Circuit Court Judgefor the 8th Circuit January 1, 1867 – March 4, 1877 | Succeeded by Egbert B. Bundy |