San Joaquin County Biographies

Ref: Page 1560-1561

Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 2/14/2010

JOHN R. HUMPHREYS

A man of scholarly attainments, ambitious and capable, John R. Humphreys is carrying on a most successful work as one of the owners and principal of the Stockton College of Commerce. He is eminently qualified for the important work in which he is engaged, the greater part of his life having been given to educational work of one character or another. He was born in Honaker, Va., March 7, 1867, the son of Ward C. and Nancy J. (Jackson) Humphreys, both of whom were also natives of Virginia. John R. grew up on the parental farm in the South, attending the public schools in the neighborhood during his boyhood, and later becoming a student in the Old Dominion College of Honaker. When only sixteen years old, Mr. Humphreys was installed as teacher in the public schools of his native town, filling this position for three years. At the end of this time, in 1886, he went to Greenup, Ky., teaching in the public schools there for six years, and then until 1895 he was associated with a lumber firm. Mr. Humphreys had become interested in the reports of the West, so in 1895 he set out for Washington, but after remaining one week came south to California, locating at Hanford, where for seven months he was employed on a ranch and also in a packing house. On New Year's day, 1896, Mr. Humphreys arrived in Stockton, where he has since continuously resided. Having determined to resume educational work he refreshed his mind by taking a four months' course in the Stockton Business College, reviewing his school work. Six months later, June 1, 1896, he became a teacher in the same school and remained there until August 1, 1901, as a teacher in the normal department. In September of that year, in partnership with T.H. Wolfenbargar, now deceased, he purchased the plant of the old Gas City Business College, which had not been in operation for one year, and he also took over their lease of the old location, in the Salz-Bours building, on Hunter Street. The new proprietors opened their business, shorthand and normal school September 30, 1901, with a corps of three teachers and an attendance of three pupils for the first day, at the end of the first year having an enrollment of forty pupils. The school was incorporated under the name Western School of Commerce and Mr. Humphreys became president. In 1909 the commercial department of the school was sold to Heald's Business College, the Western School of Commerce being devoted entirely to normal work. In 1917 Mr. Humphreys became associated with A.V. Faight in Heald's Business College and in 1920 purchased a half interest in the business and the name was changed to the Stockton College of Commerce. This college is a direct successor of the Stockton Business College and the Western School of Commerce and has an unbroken history back to 1874, the founding of the first business college in Stockton. A very large percentage of the leading business and professional men of Stockton have received their business training in this institution. Since Mr. Faight and Mr. Humphreys have been associated in the Stockton College of Commerce they have given their best to place the school on a high educational plane.

On August 30, 1899, at Michigan Bluff, Placer County, Cal., Mr. Humphreys was married to Miss Lena Mannelin, a native of that county, and four children have been born to them: Mary V., Jean, John, Jr., and Elizabeth. Mr. Humphreys was elected a member of the Stockton board of education in 1920, and in January, 1923, was elected its president; fraternally he is a past grand of Charity Lodge No. 6, I.O.O.F.; past member Morning Star Lodge No. 68, F. & A.M.; is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter; and of the Woodmen of the World and Sciots; and is also a past patron of the O.E.S., of which his wife is also a member. His contribution to educational affairs on the Pacific Coast has brought him to the forefront as an educator, and to his untiring efforts are due the popularity and high standard of excellence attained by the Stockton College of Commerce.

History of

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

CALIFORNIA

With A

Biographical Review

of

The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been

Identified with Its Growth and Development

from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY

George H. Tinkham

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

1923