William Humphrey

Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. A school teacher, clerk, and businessman before the Civil War, he joined the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry as a captain in April of 1861, and was promoted to major in June of 1862. On May 1, 1863, he was promoted to colonel of the 2nd Michigan. After participating in all of the major battles of the Ninth Corps, he was wounded twice at the Battle of Spotsylvania. In June of 1864, he was appointed commander of the second brigade of the third division of the Ninth Corps. At the Battle of Cold Harbor, he was assigned the task of maintaining the picket line in front of the enemy during the withdrawal of the army by General Grant to the south side of the James River. The following month, he commanded his brigade with distinction to the left of the Crater at the Battle of Petersburg. After his role in the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg, he continued as brigade commander of the second brigade. On August 1, 1864 he was made a brevet brigadier general "for conspicuous and gallant services, both as a regimental and brigade commander, throughout the campaign." On September 30, 1864, General Grant assigned him command of the first division of the Eighteenth Corps until a general officer could be identified for permanent command, but he tendered his resignation instead. After the war, he became a newspaper editor and manufacturer. He was elected auditor general of Michigan four times serving from 1867 until 1875 and was the warden of the state prison at Jackson from 1875 until 1883. From 1883 until 1893, he served as postmaster of Adrian, Michigan. (bio by: Thomas Fisher)

September 11th, 1865, Gen. William Humphrey purchased the plant, when the name was changed to the Adrian Daily and Weekly 'Times, which still lives. -Illustrated History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, MI