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George Thomas Humerick was born September 3, 1843, in Frederick County, Maryland, the son of Andrew and Lydia Anne Hockensmith Humerick. On October 22, 1867, in Emmitsburg, Frederick County, Maryland, he married Anne Lydia Jackson, daughter of John T. B. Jackson and Mary Josephine Hovis. They were the parents of 10 children: Charles Edward, Mary Catherine, Annie Lydia, Andrew Jackson, Agnes Jeanette, Edgar George, Emily Gertrude, Rebecca Elizabeth, Albert Emanuel and Bernard James Humerick.
Article from the Frederick Post of Thursday Morning, July 5, 1937:
"Emmitsburg--The Emmitsburg Lions Club presented Emmitsburg's oldest resident, George T. Humerick, with a white...
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George Thomas Humerick was born September 3, 1843, in Frederick County, Maryland, the son of Andrew and Lydia Anne Hockensmith Humerick. On October 22, 1867, in Emmitsburg, Frederick County, Maryland, he married Anne Lydia Jackson, daughter of John T. B. Jackson and Mary Josephine Hovis. They were the parents of 10 children: Charles Edward, Mary Catherine, Annie Lydia, Andrew Jackson, Agnes Jeanette, Edgar George, Emily Gertrude, Rebecca Elizabeth, Albert Emanuel and Bernard James Humerick.
Article from the Frederick Post of Thursday Morning, July 5, 1937:
"Emmitsburg--The Emmitsburg Lions Club presented Emmitsburg's oldest resident, George T. Humerick, with a white cane. Mr. Humerick is in his 93rd year and is able to be out and about."
Article from the Frederick Post of Thursday Morning, September 16, 1937:
"Emmitsburg, September 15. --George T. Humerick, Emmitsburg's oldest citizen, celebrated his 94th birthday on Friday. Mr. Humerick was born September 3, 1843, at Blue Ridge, two miles south of Sabillasville,in a pioneer cabin. His mother was Lidia Hockensmith, born 1804 on the J. L. Topper farm, formerly the Edward Adams farm, on the Emmitsburg--Harney Road. Mr. Humerick was 20 years old at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg and he had the honor of shaking hands with General George E. Meade on the Square in Gettysburg three days after the battle. Mr. Humerick's occupation was farming and post fence building for 50 years. He estimated that he built on an average 500 panels of post fence a year. He was married to Anna Jackson on October 22, 1867. Of this union there are five sons and five daughters, all of whom are living, the eldest 69 and the youngest 53. His wife is deceased. One incident he recalls during the Civil War was the death of General Reynolds. In those times, army officials would occupy high points at a distance away from the army for signaling purpose. One of these points was on the top of the mountain west of Emmitsburg. This high plateau was known as the Bill Wagaman farm. Flag waving signals from Gettysburg were there transmitted, announcing that General Reynolds was killed and that the Union Forces were hard pressed by the Confederates. Mr. Humerick has spent nearly all his life around Emmitsburg. He takes daily walks about the town and country. He possesses a mind clear and alert; his habits are simple and disposition cheerful."
From the Gettysburg Times of Friday, July 26, 1940:
"Emmitsburg. Emmitsburg's oldest resident, George T. Humerick, 96, suffered a fracture of two left ribs and a punctured lung Tuesday from a fall over a chair at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Edwin Chrismer,with whom he lives. The injuries were treated by Dr. W. R. Cadle. Confined to bed since the mishap, his condition was reported as favorable. In spite of his age, Mr. Humerick has always been up and around, eats heartily and enjoys the use of all senses. Although not a Civil War veteran, Mr. Humerick can relate vivid tales of events of that period, particularly of the Battle of Gettysburg. During the days that the Confederate Army marched through Emmitsburg on the way to Gettysburg, Mr. Humerick stood on the square and watched the soldiers go by. He renewed this experience several years ago when he stool on the same corner and saw the veterans on the way to Gettysburg to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle."
From the Frederick Post of Saturday, August 17, 1940:
"George Humerick, 97 years of age, probably Emmitsburg's oldest citizen, received injuries to his chest and ribs when he fell at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Edwin Chrismer, last week."
Obituary for George Thomas Humerick from the Frederick Post of Thursday, September 26, 1940:
"OLDEST RESIDENT OF EMMITSBURG STRICKEN. George Thomas Humrich, Retired Farmer, Was Injured In Fall About Two Weeks Ago. George Thomas Humerick, retired farmer who was Emmitsburg's oldest resident, died Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Edwin Chrismer. He was 97 years of age. Complications which developed from a fall two weeks ago, in which Mr. Humerick fractured one arm, resulted in his death. He had been in good health until about a month ago, when, in another fall, he injured several ribs. Mr. Humerick was a son of the late Andrew and Lydia Anne Hockersmith Humerick and was the last surviving member of his immediate family. His wife, the former Miss Annie Jackson, died in 1927. He had been residing with his daughter in recent years. Surviving are the following children: Charles Humerick, Altoona, Pa.; Mrs. Mollie Reynolds, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; Mrs. John Kelly and Mrs. Chrismer, Emmitsburg; Jackson Humerick, Altoona, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Elizabeth Pfeiffer, Baltimore, and Albert and Bernard Humerick, both of Altoona. Twenty-seven grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild survive. Funeral this morning at nine o'clock at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in charge of Rev. Francis Rogers. Pallbearers will be grandsons of the deceased. Interment in the church cemetery. S. L. Allison, funeral director."
Obituary for George Thomas Humerick from the Emmitsburg Chronicle of Friday, September 27, 1940:
"Emmitsburg's Oldest Citizen Expires. Emmitsburg's oldest and most beloved citizen, Mr. George T. Humerick, the first civilian to learn ofthe death of General Reynolds on the Battlefield of Gettysburg during the Civil War died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Edwin Chrismer, Tuesday morning at eleven o'clock. Mr. Humerick's death at the age of 97, was due to complications, and was hastened by three falls sustained within a period of 2 months. Two months Mr. Humerick fell and broke several ribs but miraculously he came through despite his great age. A week ago he fell again and sustained a broken arm. With Mr. Humerick at the time of his demise were Rev. Father Sullivan, who administered the last sacrament to him, and three of daughters: Mrs. Mary Reynolds, Mrs. Annie Kelly and Mrs. Chrismer. Most Of His Life Here. Mr. Humerick was born in the vicinity of Emmitsburg known as Eyler's Valley, September 3, 1843, just ninety-seven years ago. He was the son of the late Andrew and Lydia Ann Humerick. Nearly all of his 97 year where spent in Emmitsburg. At the age of nine, his father hired him out to farmers and practically his whole life up until seven years ago,when he went to live with his daughter, was spent farming on the old home farm in Eyler's Valley. He loved work, he said, and it always seemed to agree with him. 'Hard work, no worries, and I never used liquor or tobacco' was the recipe Mr. Humerick gave for his long life. It was his earnest desire to reach 100 years of age, and had it not been for the accidental fall which injured him, he probably would have lived to see his dream fulfilled because other his health was comparatively perfect. First Funeral Toll Of New Bell. Remarkable is the fact that Mr. Humerick was six years old when the old church bell was erected in St. Joseph's Catholic church of which fie was a life-long member. The Phenomenal and most incredible aspect of it is the fact that Mr. Humerick was also alive when that same bell was recast and re-erected in the same steeple just ninety-one years later. Mr. Humerick's funeral was the first one for which the bell tolled since its erection Monday. It had been in its new home just three days when its beautiful but dolorous notes mourned the loss of one the Church's God fearing and pious Citizens and told us that God had called Mr. Humerick to live with him in his happy home in heaven. Recalls Seeing Soldiers. The war broke out when Mr. Humerick was sixteen years old, but he was not drafted and so never entered the conflict. However. he recalled standing for three hours on the northwest corner of the Square here watching soldiers pass through toward Gettysburg. Years later he stood on that same corner watching those same troops pass through here to Gettysburg once again-this time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the battle. Found Signal Corps Men. On the first day of the battle he saw flags waving from the top of the mountains west of town. He went up andon what is known as the old Wagaman farm, came upon seven signal corps men taking signals from the Gettysburg Battlefield. The signal from Gettysburg read: 'General Reynolds was killed and they are pressing us hard.' Mr. Humerick, the first civilian to hear of the death, spread the news through the valley. It was by means of the signal corps that the Union forces at Gettysburg kept in contact with Washington, D. C. From atop the mountain here the signal was relayed to Sugar Loaf mountain, below the city of Frederick, and thence to Washington. Thursday following the Union army victory at Gettysburg, Mr. Humerick shook hands with General Meade. Ten days after the battle he visited the scene of the battle. Of this, Mr. Humerick related that out Confederate avenue, he walked for hundreds of feet over the bodies of dead horses side by side. In the, Devil's Den section, he came upon the bodies of hundred or more men. Some people were picking teeth from the skulls. Whether these people were taking the teeth for souvenirs or because they might have been made of gold, Mr. Humerick did not learn. As a souvenir for himself, he picked up a Harper's Ferry musket, a canteen with cartridge shell, hung it over the musket and walked back home to Emmitsburg, a distance of ten miles. Lived Healthful Full Life. Up until a short time before his death, Mr. Humerick was enjoying good health. He walked over the town streets and ate three good meals a day. Two senses, sight and hearing, showed signs of failing health within the past couple of years, but otherwise he was strong and healthy. To show their admiration and esteem for him, the Emmitsburg Lion's Club presented him with a white cane, which served as a reminder to both drivers and pedestrians that they should be overly cautious while Mr. Humerick was out for a stroll. Married In 1867. Mr. Humerick married Miss Anna Jackson on October 27, 1867, who preceded him in death 13 years ago, in 1927. They had ten children, eight of whom are living today. Edgar and Mrs. Emilia Stone died a short interval apart during the past winter. Those children who survive the deceased are: Charles, Jackson, Albert, Bernard, all of Altoona, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Mary Reynolds, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Elizabeth Pfeiffer, Baltimore; Mrs. John Kelly and Mrs. Edwin Chrismer, of this place. In addition to the above children, 32 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren survive the deceased. Funeral services for the most dearly beloved aged resident of Emmitsburg were held at St. Joseph's Catholic church, this place, Thursday morning at nine o'clock with Rev. Father Francis Rogers, officiating at the requiem mass. Pallbearers, all grandsons of Mr. Humerick, were: Messrs. Thornton Rodgers and Paul Humerick, this place; George Reynolds, Goldsborough, Maryland; Taylor Humerick, Altoona, Pennsylvania; and Gordon Prof, Baltimore. In the sanctuary, serving as altar boys and cross bearers were Messrs. Eugene, William and Joseph Rodgers, great-grandsons of Mr. Humerick. Mr. Humerick has made a life long impression in the hearts of every Emmitsburgian and will always be remembered for his, pleasant speech wherever and whenever he met anyone. He was a dearly beloved figure, almost an attachment or a beloved fixture in Emmitsburg, and he will continue to hold that esteemed position in our hearts by his spiritual, if not by his bodily presence."
Obituary for George Thomas Humerick from the Gettysburg Times of Wednesday Evening, September 25, 1940, as well as the Gettysburg Compiler of Saturday, September 28, 1940:
"George T. Humerick. George Thomas Humerick, 97, Emmitsburg's oldest resident, died Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Edwin Chrismer, from a complication of diseases. About two weeks ago, he fractured an arm in a fall and his condition gradually became worse. The deceased always resided in Emmitsburg. He was a son of the late Andrew and Lydia Ann (Hockensmith) Humerick. His wife, the former Annie Jackson, died in 1927. Surviving are four sons, Charles, Albert, Jackson and Bernard Humerick, all of Altoona; four daughters, Mrs. Molly Reynolds, Elizabethtown; Mrs. John Kelly and Mrs. Edwin Chrismer, both of Emmitsburg, and Mrs. Elizabeth Pfeiffer, Baltimore;27 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services Thursday morning at 9 o'clock from St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, conducted by the Rev. Francis Rogers. Interment in the church cemetery. Grandsons served as pallbearers."
Funeral notice for George Thomas Humerick from the Gettysburg Times of Saturday, September 28, 1940:
"Rites for George T. Humerick. Funeral services were held Thursday morning in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, for George T. Humerick, 97, Emmitsburg, who died Tuesday morning from a complication of diseases. The Rev. Father Francis Rogers officiated. Interment in the church cemetery. The pallbearers were Thornton Rodgers, George Reynolds, Gordon Prof, Taylor Humerick, Paul Humerick and Pius Kelly."
Funeral attendees from the Gettysburg Times of Monday, October 7, 1940:
"Attending the funeral of George T. Humerick from out of town on Thursday were Mrs. Mollie Reynolds, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Humerick, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Humerick, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Humerick, Mr. Charles Humerick, Altoona; Mrs. Elizabeth Pfeiffer, Mr and Mrs. Gordon Propff, Mrs. William Travers, Mrs. Elmer Rudy, Mrs. George Sebour, Baltimore; George Reynolds, Goldsboro, Maryland, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mahoney, Mrs. George Brown, Miss Dorothy Humerick, Miss Evelyn Humerick, Washington, D. C." |