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Corporal FERNANDO CORTEZ HUMPHRIES, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Fernando Cortez Humphries was born on October 10, 1833/34 in Greenbrier County, Virginia (now West Virginia) the son of William Humphries and Rachel (Spencer) Humphries. William Humphries was born on __________ __, 1787 in Greenbrier County, Virginia (now W, Virginia), while Rachel was born on __________ __, 1788 in Greenbrier County, Virginia (now W. Virginia). William and Rachel are believed to have been married on or about July 16, 1807 in Virginia.
When Fernando was about two years of age, c. 1835/36, the family moved west to Indiana, where they...
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Corporal FERNANDO CORTEZ HUMPHRIES, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Fernando Cortez Humphries was born on October 10, 1833/34 in Greenbrier County, Virginia (now West Virginia) the son of William Humphries and Rachel (Spencer) Humphries. William Humphries was born on __________ __, 1787 in Greenbrier County, Virginia (now W, Virginia), while Rachel was born on __________ __, 1788 in Greenbrier County, Virginia (now W. Virginia). William and Rachel are believed to have been married on or about July 16, 1807 in Virginia.
When Fernando was about two years of age, c. 1835/36, the family moved west to Indiana, where they settled in __________ County. The family could be the family of Wm Humphreys, who are found in White River Township of Hamilton County, Indiana at the time of the 1840 census. The family consists of;
1 male 50 to 60 (This could be our William Humphries)
1 male 20 to 30
1 male 10 to 15
1 male 5 to 10 (This could be Fernando)
1 female 50 to 60 (This could be Rachel)
1 female 15 to 20
1 female 5 to 10
Then sometime before 1850, the family came on west to Illinois, where they settled in Knox County.
At the time of the 1850 census, William, Rachel and Fernando are found in Knox County, Illinois, though the place of birth for all three is listed as Indiana;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
William Humphreys M 59 Indiana
Rachel Humphreys F 58 Indiana
Fernando Humphreys M 18 Indiana
William Humphries may have died in Knox County before the 1860 census as he can not be found. Rachel may be the Rachel B. Humphries who is found in the 1870 census of Knox County, though if she is, her age is terribly wrong as she is listed as being 49 years of age. William and Rachel are both most likely buried in Knox County, Illinois, though it is not known where.
Fernando Cortez Humphries was married to Mary Jane McGrew on September 19, 1855 in Knox County, Illinois. In the Illinois State Record, Fernando's name is recorded as Corles Humphreys. Mary was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1834/35), most likely in Highland County, Ohio. Mary Jane McGrew is believed to be the daughter William McGrew and Anna (McVay) McGrew. William McGrew and Anna McGrew were married in Highland County, Ohio on April 19, 1831. William was born in Clinton, Ohio on December 28, 1807 the son of John McGrew and Rachel (McCoy) McGrew. William died in 1893 in Ord, Nebraska at 85 years of age. Anna McVay was born in Pennsylvania on November 3, 1806, the daughter of Isaac McVay and Mary (Rude) McVay. Anna died July 11, 1885 in Hermon, Illinois in Knox County at 78 years of age. Here is the family at the time of the 1850 Ohio Census;
1850 Highland Co. OH p. 106
William McGrew 43 PA Trader
Anna 43 PA
Isaac W 17 OH Carpenter
Clarissa A. 16 OH
Mary J 15 OH
John 13 OH
Wm. H. 10 OH
Rachel 8 OH
Andrew Jasper 5 OH
Rebecca 3 OH
In the 1850's at least some of the McGrew family came west to Illinois. Fernando and Mary Jane are believed to have had 10 children. They are;
1. Rachel Anne Humphreys, born October 10/15, 1858 in or near Bridgeport in Knox County, Illinois. Rachel was married 1st to Charles P. Cosgrove, who was a Harness Maker by trade. Charles was born c. 1857/58 in Wisconsin.
Rachel and Charles are known to have had one daughter;
A. Purllue E. "Pearl" Cosgrove, born January 3, 1887 in Shenandoah, Page County, Iowa. Purllue was married to Arthur G. Eymer and they are known to have been residing in Reliance, Lyman County, South Dakota in the 1940's.
Rachel and Charles are believed to have divorced in the late 1880's or early 1890's.
Rachel was married 2nd to John Robert Cooper on __________ __, 1894/95 at __________, __________. Rachel and John are known to have at least two children;
B. Thomas Cooper, born c. 1895/96 in Iowa.
C. Flosie Cooper, born c. 1897/98 in Iowa.
At the time of the 1900 census, , Rachel and her combined family are found in the city of Lake Park in Diamond Lake, Excelsior & Silver Lake Townships, Dickinson County, Iowa. Rachel is listed as having had 3 children, all of whom are living and living with her, Rachel has been married for 5 years and her father and mother are listed as having been born in Virginia and Ohio respectively;
Robert Cooper Head M 46 Wisconsin
Rachel A Cooper Wife F Oct 1858 42 Illinois
Thomas Cooper Son M 4 Iowa
Flocie Cooper Daughter F 2 Iowa
Pearl Cosgrove Stepdaughter F 13 Iowa
Frank Peck Boarder M 23 Illinois
George W Sreeves Boarder M 26 New York
John Yunker Boarder M 19 Iowa
Rachel Anne Humphreys died on 19 September 1946 in Davidson County, South Dakota at the age of 87 and her mortal remains were laid in the Reliance Cemetery in Lyman County, South Dakota. See her Find A Grave Memorial #107641328.
2. Mary V. Humphreys, born February 19, 1860 in Knox County; married to __________ Fritz on __________ __, 18__ at __________, __________.
3. Elizabeth Elma Humphreys, born August 28, 1861 in Knox County, Illinois; Elizabeth, who went by Elma, was married to Edward "Ed" Grierson Mathewson on November __, 1885 in __________, Iowa; The Mathewsons were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The others include Clarence, Lawrence, Elsie, Warren and Theodore. Elma died on September 23, 1905 in Shenandoah, Iowa and her earthly remains laid in the Baker Cemetery in Norwich, Page County, Iowa along with her husband, Ed. Her Find A Grave number is #44315506.
4. George Cortez Rosecrans Humphreys, born May 10, 1863 in Abington, Knox County, Illinois; married to Dollie Mae Tillotson on December 25, 1883; George was married to Dolly Mae Tillotson on December 25, 1883 at Spencer, South Dakota; George died on August 2, 1907 in Mitchell, South Dakota and his earthly remains were laid to rest in the Reliance Cemetery in Reliance, Lyman County, South Dakota.
5. Lunetta June "Nettie" Humphreys, born June 24, 1866 in Knox County; married to __________ Caldwell on __________ __, 18__ at __________, __________.
6. William Vinton Humphreys, born May 20, 1868 in Knox County; married 1st to Maude Alma Tillotson. William and Maude were the parents of at least one child;
A. Iva P. Humphreys, born c. 1900/01 in South Dakota.
William Vinton Humphreys was married 2nd to Mamie E. "Maye" Brown c. 1908/09. William and Mamie were the parents of at least two children;
B. Ione Humphreys, born c. 1910/11 in South Dakota.
C. Jean Humphreys, born c. 1917/18 in South Dakota. Jean was married to George Sharp in the 1930's. Jean and George, who was born c. 1914/15 in California, are found in San Diego County, California in the 1940 census.
At the time of the 1910 census, William and his family are found in Butte Township, Lyman County, South Dakota;
Wm V Humphrey Head M 41 Illinois
Mamie E Humphrey Wife F 21 South Dakota
Iva P Humphrey Daughter F 9 South Dakota
At the time of the 1920 census, William and his family are found in the city of Reliance, Butte Township, Lyman County, South Dakota;
Vinton Humphreys Head M 51 Illinois
Mamie Humphreys Wife F 31 South Dakota
Iva Humphreys Daughter F 19 South Dakota
Ione Humphreys Daughter F 9 South Dakota
Jean Humphreys Daughter F 2 South Dakota
At the time of the 1930 census, William and his family are found in San Diego, San Diego County, California. His father and mother are listed as having been born in Virginia and Ohio, respectively;
William V Humphreys Head M 61 Illinois
Maye E Humphreys Wife F 40 South Dakota
Ione Humphreys Daughter F 19 South Dakota
Jean Humphreys Daughter F 13 South Dakota
William died on January __, 1938/39 in San Diego, California and his earthly remains were laid to rest in the Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, California. See his Find A Grave Memorial #187636807.
At the time of the 1940 census, Maye Humphreys is found in Councilmanic District 4, San Diego, San Diego Judicial Township, San Diego County, California, where she is living with her daughter, Jean;
George Sharp Head M 25 California
Jean Sharp Wife F 23 South Dakota
Maye Humphreys Mother-in-law F 51 South Dakota
7. Jennie Humphreys, born __________ __, 1870 in Knox County; died three days later; her earthly remains were laid to rest in the ____________ Cemetery in ___________, Illinois.
8. Charlie Humphreys, born __________ __, 1872 in Mercer County, Missouri; died in infancy; his earthly remains were laid in the ____________ Cemetery in __________, Missouri.
9. Janet Humphreys, born __________ __, 1874 in Mercer County, Missouri; died in infancy; her earthly remains were laid in the __________ Cemetery in __________, Missouri.
10. Bertie Humphreys, born __________ __, 1876 in Mercer County, Missouri; Bertie was married to __________ __________ on __________ __, 18__.
At the time of the 1860 census, Fernando, Mary and their first two children are found residing in Chestnut Townsip in Knox County, Illinois;
F C Humphreys, age 27, VA
Mary Humphreys, age 25, OH
Rachel A Humphreys, age 2, IL
Mary V Humphreys, age 1, IL
On August 5, 1862, Fernando went into Maquon, Illinois where he volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon for service in the Union Army during the Civil War by a local well known Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burkhalter. John A. H. McGrew, Mary Jane (McGrew) Humphries' brother, had volunteered to serve in this company of the 4th of August.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name HUMPHRY, FERNANDO C
Rank PVT Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 28 Height 6' Hair DARK
Eyes HAZEL Complexion FAIR Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity GREEN BRIER CO, VA
Service Record
Joined When AUG 5, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL JAN 5, 1863
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, he was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including Privates Fernando C. Humphries and John A. H. McGrew, were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
The new life style and living conditions were not conducive to good health among the green troops in the field. By New Years Eve of 1862, two of the original Corporals in Co. F had either died or had been discharged for health reasons. On January 5, 1863, an election was held to replace one of the Corporals and Private Fernando C. Humphries was elected by the men of Co. F to serve as one of their Corporals. Fernando would serve in this position for the remainder of his time with the regiment.
About the time that Fernando volunteered for service in the Union army, Mary Jane had become pregnant with their fourth child. On September 7th of 1862, when Fernando and the men of the 86th were boarding the trains for Camp Joe Holt, Mary Jane may not have yet known she was pregnant. On May 10, 1863, a son was born to Fernando and Mary Jane in Abington, Illinois, where Mary Jane was staying while Fernando was away. Kinnear in his history of the 86th wrote the following about the 86th's activities during this time period. "On the 8th of April, the brigade was sent to Brentwood (Tennessee), in supporting distance of Franklin (Tennessee). Brentwood was a fine situation for a camp, and as spring was at hand it was rendered more pleasant still. Comfortable quarters were readily made, and for the first time we began to live like men. It was here the boys began a happy reform in that respect; for instead of lying on the bare ground in the dirt and grass they put up bunks, thus leading to their comfort. At this place the brigade built a fort called Fort Brentwood. It was triangular in form, having embrazures in the corners of the triangle for guns. Much time and labor was expended on this work only to be completed that it might be demolished---a change in the situation of our army affairs compelling the evacuation of the fort. Details were made, and on the 3rd of June the work of demolition was consummated, and on the evening of the same day the brigade returned to Nashville." It may have been some time before Fernando found out he was a father for the 4th time, but when he did, he apparently had some input as to the naming of this son as the son was named, George Cortez Rosecrans Humphries. Union General William Rosecrans was the commanding general of Union army in the Nashville area and was in command during the Battles of Stones River and later at Chickamauga, Georgia, which the men of McCook's Brigade played a key part in.
In the late summer and fall of 1863, the men of McCook's Brigade participated in the Campaign for Chattanooga, culminating in the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia in September of 1863. After Chattanooga was finally secured in late 1863, the men of McCook's Brigade went into camp at McAfee's Church located in north Georgia on the south edge of the Chickamauga battlefield.
About February 10, 1864, while the 86th was encamped at Camp McAfee, Corporal Fernando C. Humphries was assigned to a recruitment detachment and sent to Springfield, Illinois. Fernando was still officially a member of the 86th Illinois, but he would remain on detached service at Springfield, Illinois for the remainder of the war. Fernando's obituary states that Fernando served "two years with the military detective bureau."
Just after Fernando left the regiment, the opening movements of what was to become known as the Atlanta Campaign would begin. During the next 15 months, Private John A. H. McGrew and the surviving members of the 86th were witness to and participants in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia, Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina just to name a few and also marched with Sherman to the Sea.
After the war ended, the surviving members of McCook's Brigade, including Private John A. H. McGrew, marched on to Washington City (now D.C), where they marched down Pennsylvania on the 2nd day of the Grand Review in May of 1865. On June 6, 1865, Private John A. H. McGrew was still there when the surviving members of the 86th were discharged from the service. Shortly afterward, he and the surviving members of the 86th boarded trains bound for Chicago, Illinois, where they received their final pay and were discharged.
Back in Springfield, Illinois, with the war now over, Corporal Fernando C. Humphries was mustered out of the service on June 8, 1865 and he, too, headed home for Central Illinois. By the end of June, he and the surviving members of the 86th were back home with their families in Central Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Fernando and his family are found in Knox County;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Fernando Humphery M 36y Virginia
Mary J Humphery F 35y Ohio
Rachel A Humphery F 11y Illinois
Mary V Humphery F 10y Illinois
Elizabeth Humphery F 8y Illinois
Cortez R Humphery M 7y Illinois
Lunetta J Humphery F 4y Illinois
William V Humphery M 2y Illinois
In the fall of 1870, Fernando and Mary Jane moved the family from Knox County to Princeton, Missouri in Mercer County. Their last three children were born there before Mary Jane (Mcgrew) Humphries died on March 27, 1877. It is not known for certain where her earthly remains were laid, but they may have been laid in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Mercer County, Missouri, as this is where Fernando's 2nd wife is buried.
At the time of the 1880 census, Fernando C. Humphreys is found residing in Princeton, Mercer County, Missouri where he is working at a Creamery. He is widowed at this time;
Fernando C. HUMPHREYS, Self, age 45, VA, Works for Creamery.
Mary V. HUMPHREYS, Dau, age 20, IL, Keeping House.
Elizabeth E. HUMPHREYS, Dau, age 18, IL, Keeping House.
Corter R. HUMPHREYS, Son, age 16, IL, Laborer.
William V. HUMPHREYS, Son, age 11, IL.
Nettie HUMPHRIES, Niece, born c. 1867 in IL.
Also at the time of the 1880 census, Nettie is found residing with her aunt and uncle, William and Rebecca McGrew, while Rebecca is employed outside the home as a servant or housekeeper.
On September 17, 1881, Fernando was married 2nd to Mary Evelyn (Wiggins) Goodin, who had been married previously to Thomas Jefferson Goodin. One child was born to Thomas and Mary and one more child was born to Fernando and Mary. This was;
11. Maud/Maude F. (or T.) Humphreys, born c. October c. 1885 in Mercer County, Missouri. Maude was married to Wesley Rickford/Rickard and they are known to have had at least three children;
A. Doris M. Rickard, born c. 1907/08 in South Dakota.
B. Edris/Adris F. Rickord/Rickford/Richard, born July 25, 1910 in Beadle, South Dakota.
C. Robert W. Rickard, born c. 1917/18 in South Dakota.
At the time of the 1920 census, the Rickford/Rickard family is found in Virgil, Beadle County, South Dakota;
Wesley Rickard Head M 43 Iowa
Maud E Rickard Wife F 33 Missouri
Doris M Rickard Daughter F 12 South Dakota
Adris F Rickard Daughter F 9 South Dakota
Robert W Rickard Son M 2 South Dakota
At the time of the 1930 census, the Rickords are found in Virgil, Beadle County, South Dakota;
Wesley Rickord Head M 52 Iowa
Maude E Rickord Wife F 42 Missouri
Robert W Rickord Son M 13 South Dakota
At the time of the 1935 South Dakota State census, Robert Rickert, age 18, is found in Virgil, Beadle County, South Dakota. Nothing more is known about the Rickford/Rickord/Rickard/Richard/Rickert family at this time.
Mary Evaline (Wiggins) Goodin Humphreys died June 1, 1887 in Lindley Township, Mercer County, Missouri. Her earthly remains were laid in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lindley Township, Mercer County, Missouri. Her tombstone reads "Mary E. Humphreys
age 33y 23d."
In the late 1880's, Fernando moved on to Spencer, South Dakota. In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion in Peoria, Illinois during the week of August 27, 1887, the 25th anniversary of the mustering in of the men of the 86th back in 1862. More than 100 surviving members of the 86th attended this first reunion, which was such a success that it was decided that they would continue to hold these reunions every year for as long as possible. Only six members of Fernando's old Co. F attended this reunion and for some unknown reason none of the future reunions were well attended by the men of Co. F. Fernando was most likely already living in South Dakota at this time and Corporal Fernando C. Humphries is known to have been been residing in McCook County, South Dakota in 1890. It would have been a difficult trip to make for a reunion from South Dakota to Peoria, Illinois in the late 1800's and the early 1900's and Corporal Fernando C. Humphries never was able to make any of the reunions. He apparently did stay in touch with some of his old pards back in Central Illinois through the years. The last reunion was held in 1923, when it was tearfully decided by the last dozen or so members of the 86th who were healthy enough to attend that reunion that they were just too old and too few to continue them after that 1923 reunion.
Corporal Fernando C. Humphries was granted an Invalid Pension on April 2, 1891 and in the 1900 census, Fernando C. Humphry is found in McCook County. His pension was increased on March 4. 1907.
On February 13, 1900, Fernando was married for the 3rd time, this time to Louise "Lue" Rothrock Williams, who was born in November of 1867 in Indiana. Lue had been previously married to Alvin Q. Williams, who had died in 1895.
At the time of the 1900 census, they are found in Spencer, McCook Co., South Dakota;
F. C. Humpery, head, Oct 1834, age 65, VA/VA/VA
Louise __________, wife, Nov 1867, age 32, 1 birth 1 surviving, IN/IN/IN
M. F. (T?), daughter, Oct 1885, age 14, MO/VA/MO
On January 11, 1901, Louise died apparently in an effort to give birth to Fernando's last child.
12. Infant son Humphreys, born and died January 11, 1901.
Fernando's obituary states that "In 1902, he came to Lyman county (S. Dakota) with his sons, George and Vinton, and proved up on a homestead southwest of Reliance. While here he made a wide circle of acquintances, who will remember and honor the old gentleman. He owned at his death the Pioneer hotel property at Oacoma.
In 1903, he married Henrietta (Duxbury) Dunn, who is still living. (Fernando gave his address as Dirkstown, South Dakota at this time. Henrietta had been married previously to William H. Dunn, by whom she had several children.) He moved back to Spencer the winter of 1903 and 1904 where he has lived to his death, which occurred at 1:30 A.M., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1908.
His death was caused by heart disease of long standing. The last sickness was of considerable duration, and the death was nor unexpected. All members of the family were present at the bedside.
The deceased has early in life united with the Methodist church and all through his life he was united with some church or other. The funeral was held Thursday at 2 o'clock p.m. from the Christian church at Spencer, Rev. Gray, the pastor, officiating.
Mr. Humphrey's kind word and bright smile will be missed by all who knew him, and his death is mourned by a host of friends wherever he has lived. To those and to the bereaved members of the family, the RECORD extends its tender and most sincere sympathy."
The earthly remains of Corporal Fernando Cortez Humphries were laid to rest in the Spencer Cemetery in McCook County, South Dakota. Henrietta, who was born in 1864, died in 1936 and her mortal remains were laid to rest in the Sumner Cemetery in Sumner, Pierce County, Washington.
by Baxter B. Fite III, Sherron Nay, a descendant of Fernando's, whose email address is [email protected]; Julie Stockert, a great great granddaughter of Fernando's, whose Find A Grave Contributor # is 47820753 and whose email address is [email protected]; and Richard Humphrey (Find A Grave Contributor #47141124), a great-great-grandson of Samuel Warren Humphreys, older brother of Fernando Cortez Humphreys, whose email address is [email protected]
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Humphries family, who might be able to add the biographical material that we have on Fernando Cortez Humphries and the Humphries family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Fernando which may have survived the years, especially any showing him in uniform from his days in the service, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.) |
