Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/832

 724 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY clerk of his township. July 1, 1890, he entered the railroad mail service, continuing until January 1, 1902, after which he engaged in business at Red Wing, conducting the Bee Hive, which was managed along the lines of a department store. In September, 1907, he sold his interest in this establishment and engaged for a time as traveling salesman for a Red AVing concern. For two months he conducted an insurance office and December 16, 1908, was appointed to his present office of assistant city clerk, in which position his clerical accuracy and accommodating spirit have been highly commended. Mr. Irvine is a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to several .Masonic degrees and is the junior warden of the Blue Lodge of that order. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Yeomen Insurance Company, the Memorial Day Association, the Sons of Veterans and several other organizations. While in Pierce county he was a justice of the peace three years, 1885 to 1888. Mr. Irvine was married August 26, 1885, to Myrtle E. Merritt. daughter of Francis and Eunice R. Merritt, of Bel- fast, N. Y. Her father died in Belfast, N. Y., and her mother is now living at Red Wing. To Mr. and Mrs. Irvine have been born one daughter, Eunice M. August 3, 1900. George W. Humphrey, Red Wins:, now retired, has had an in- teresting career as a farmer, fighter and florist. He was born in New York city. August 11. 1843, son of John and Sarah N. (Stev- ens) Humphrey, both natives of England. The mother was born in the town of Bristol. England, and was brought to America by her father, a blacksmith, at the age of thirteen years. Later the family moved to Elmira, N. Y.. from New York city, where they first located. At Elmira Sarah N. married John Humphrey, and they took up their residence in that city. It is a remarkable coin- cidence that Mrs. Humphrey left England on the day that Queen Victoria Avas crowned, and died on the day of the queen's death, the two occurring only a few hours apart. On the same day, January 22, 1901. Mr. Humphrey also died. A double funeral was held at their home. 701 East Second street, Elmira, N. Y., and was largely attended, both old people being greatly beloved. The homestead is now occupied by the youngest daughter. George AY. received his education in the New York state public schools and also took an academic course in his home city. His first work was as a clerk in a dry goods store at Elmira. After two years in this store he enlisted, July 17, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Seventh New York Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, first under Captain S. A. Ben- nett and Colonel A. S. Diven, and later under Colonel Crane. He was commissioned successively by Governors Seymour and Fen- ton, and during the last nine months of his service was in com-