YOUR SILENT NEIGHBORS
Henry Humphrey, Farmer and Politician
by David K. Leff
Town Poet Laureate & Deputy Town Historian  

Youngest of 12 children, Henry Humphrey (1845-1919) grew up and went to school in Smyrna, New York, coming to Canton Center in his early twenties.  He started out working the farm of his brother Alfred and was employed for several years at a number of other farms before buying a large spread of his own.  Among other crops, he was known for raising tobacco. 

Elected deacon of the Canton Center Congregational Church in 1888, Humphrey was also church treasurer for many years.  He served as a director of the Canton Creamery Association and was a member of the Cawasa Grange.  Prominent in local Republican politics, he was a member of the school committee for many years and served on the board of relief.  He represented Canton in the legislature in 1905. 

In 1869, Humphrey married Calcie Mills of Canton Center.  The couple had two children, a son who died in childhood and a daughter who married and survived them.  Mrs. Humphrey died over a decade before her husband. 

Humphrey had been in poor health for several years and his death was not unexpected.  The funeral was at home with Reverend Charles H. Stevens, former pastor of the Canton Center Congregational Church presiding. 

Henry Humphrey is buried in the Canton Center Cemetery. 

“Your Silent Neighbors” introduces readers to people out of Canton’s past.  Readers are encouraged to visit these gravesites and pay their respects to the people who have helped make our community what it is today.