Connecticut western news., 1886-01-27
OBITUARY.
MERRILL HUMPHREY.

Merrell Humphrey died at his resi- dence in thls village, on Friday morning, January 15, at 9 o'clock. He was born in Norfolk, Conn.,, September l, 1909. His health had always been good until about four years ago, when he began to complain of bad feeling in his mouth and throat, which constantly grew worse, until it became almost unbeara- ble, and none of the doctors consulted could properly diagnose the case. What his trouble was will probably never be known. He was so constituted that he worried continually about his trouble and it is probable that his mind wore his body out.
 He came to thls place in 1841 and erected the building known as Hum- phrey's drug store, and commenced 8 small drug business, together with gen. sral merchandise. He, however, thought it would not pay him to continue the business, and SO he staid but one year. selling out to his brother, the late G. Humphrey. He returned to West Nor folk and opened . small store which he kept for some time and afterwards taught school for . number of years, also doing considerable land surveying, for which he was somewhat noted. He returned to this place in 1876, and in 1880 built the house in which he died. He did land surveying and other work here as long as he was sble-was always great worker and had an iron consti- tuition. He contributed much valuable information for the Humphreys Family Genealogy which has lately been puB ished in New York. He married at South Coventry. Conn.,, December 6, 1S43, Maria B. Mason, who survives him. He had three brothers, John, James and Griswold, and two sisters, Mrs Abel Camp and Mrs Capt John Dewell, all of whom have passed away, with the exception of the last named, who resides with her daughter in New Haven.
 He was g modest, unassuming person, never wanting anyone to make any fuss for him, and could he speak in regard to this writing we are sure he would say, you have said too much. He was man of sterling integrity and believed in doing what he thought was right though theheavens fell, and who shall say the world is not better for his having lived in it? H.
 A former local editor of the CONNECT IcuT WESTERN NEWS voluntarily offers the following tribute: "With the death of Merrell Humphrey 8 remarkable character Is withdrawn from mortal view; remarkable career is closed and . master mind is conquered. On the alter of principal and honest conviction he laid sacrifices that would make men of less courage and greater worldly am bition hesitate or retreat. In early life he espoused, with heart and soul, the cause of Abolition, before that cause was ripe and when the term " Abolitionist :" was term of reproach, and crime for which the penalty was social ostracism. The great principal of human liberty, and equality, he maintained, should ap- ply with equal force to body, mind and soul; and in his relations, man to man, he proved his sincerity in that convic- tion. He measured men by the ssale of character, and as "shoddy" had no place in his own makeup, % it had in others no claim on his consideration. He was profound thinker and schol- ar and g masterly writer, 8 number of his productions having been given pub icity in the NEWS some five or six years ago over "Dr Longfellow," "Peter Pi1ley," and other signatures, every sentence of which contained deep-set jewel of thought. He was fascinating conversationalist and in his presence one always felt the magnetism of giant intellect.
 With his answering fidelity to his pronounced convictions, his wonderful ! fund of acquired information, his natur. al endowments of mind no less wonder. ful, and his unmistakable and convinc. ing power of expression, it would seem that either lack of physical energy, or of ambition for fame deterred him from taking such an active part in the warfare for human progress and equa rights as would have sent his name dow1 in history as the pier of his co-patriots
 Garrison and Phillips" R. THEODORE PoMEROY.
 Theodore Pomeroy died at Shelb, Centre (Medina), N. Y., November %
 1885, aged 93 years. He was son o the late Joel Pomeroy of North Canaan
 Conn. His sister, Mrs Almerine Gillette aged 89 years, still resides at the last | mantioned placa While residing il