Biographies H
Rolley E. Humphrey
Rolley E. Humphrey, Muhlenberg County, was born December 10, 1842, in Webster County, Ky., and is the ninth of six boys and five girls (ten living), born to Rolley and Jennie (Cain) Humphrey; the names of their children are: John, James M., Benjamin W., Rolley E., Samuel C., A.W., Elizabeth, deceased, Rebecca, Amanda, Sallie and Matilda. The parents were born and reared in Ohio County, Ky., were of Irish descent; the father was born in 1802. The grandfather, Dr. Benjamin Humphrey, was a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio County about 1800; the grandfather Cain, was in the battle of New Orleans, and died soon after his return.
Rolley E. Humphrey was reared on a farm, and received a fair common school education. He lived with his parents until the age of twenty-one, when he engaged in the saw-mill business, which he followed until 1878; in 1876, he moved to South Carrollton, and builts a grist-mill, which he has conducted ever since with success; he and two brothers ran a saw-mill in Evansville for three years, and dealt extensively in timber. In 1878, he lost 12,000 bushels of wheat in Evansville elevator.
October 8, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, First Kentucky Confederate Cavalry; took part in the battle of Perryville, Ky., and numerous skirmishes; was wounded in the left foot at Perryville, and discharged in the spring of 1863; was drafted in the Federal service, but was exempted on account of wound; his two brothers were also in the Confederate army.
Mr. Humphrey was married, December 25, 1865, to Bethany Ramsey of Webster County. Mrs. Humphrey died October 25, 1866, a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Humphrey next married, March 7, 1877, Cordie Ashly, of Hopkins County, daughter of Jackson and Elizabeth (Pritchett) Ashly, of Hopkins County, Ky. This union is blessed with three children: Absalom, Lalla Rhook and Heilman. Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey are members of the Baptist Church; he is a member of the F. & A.M.
Source: Battle, J.H., W.H. Perrin, and G.C. Kniffen. Kentucky: A History of the State. Louisville, KY: F.A. Battey, 1885. Page 908-909.
Updated July 9, 2018