The Humes Family

William Alexander Hughes, born July 31, 1843, was the son of parents who emigrated to Philadelphia from England. As a young man, William briefly apprenticed as a gilder and framer, a sought-after commodity as in that era, photos were gilded and framed for display.

William married Elizabeth Taylor in 1865 who was from Smyrna. The couple moved to New Albany, Indiana, where William planned to work in his industry. The couple had four children, William Taylor, born in 1867 but died in 1874; Katherine who was known as “Katy”, born in 1867; Elizabeth, who was called ‘Bess”, born in 1870; and James Henry, born in 1872.

When a bridge was built across the Mississippi River, the trade left Indiana and moved to Kentucky, so the couple moved back to Smyrna and, on the advice of friends, moved to Milford to open a hardware and farm supply store with William’s brother in 1878. The store opened in what was then the “New York Store” at the corner of North Walnut Street and Water Street, which is now Park Avenue.

The store sold carriage supplies, fencing, farm supplies, roofing, lumber and more. The first farm implements they sold were made in their engine factory in Smyrna. Eventually, they outgrew the space, tore down the original building and built a larger facility around 1910. An elevator was installed, the first in Milford.

In 1927, William A. Humes passed away at the age of 84. His obituary states he had been living the retired life at the home of his daughter and remained active in church work. He was survived by his three children.

In 1928, Al married Ruth Clauss who he met while living in Allentown. The young couple moved from Allentown to Milford to join his brother and father in business. The business was renamed from J.H. Humes to Humes and Son Hardware. The couple had three children, Ruth Clauss, born July 13, 1929; Harry Egbert, born March 11, 1933; and Claire Estell, born February 26, 1939.

James Harry, who was called Harry, married Claire Small Humes whose father was the founder of what was then known as Lincoln City. They had three children, James Edward, Sr., born in 1901; Alphonso Egbert, born in 1905; and William Alexander, born in 1909.

Unfortunately, this building was destroyed by fire in 1935 after William had retired and his son took over the business.

Jack Warren, a clerk, accidentally picked up a bucket he thought contained water and threw it on a blaze in the store. However, there was a coating of gasoline on the water, causing the flames to flare. Jack was burned about the body and legs when his clothing caught fire. He later died at the Milford Emergency Hospital. Owner J. Harry was also burned attempting to help Jack while a customer, George Davis, who was splattered by the gasoline, also suffered burns on his hands

Harry operated the hardware store with his sons, James and Alphonso. After retirement, William turned to politics. He served on the original Light and Water Commission. He was also on the first board of directors of the Milford Trust Company and a long-elder for the First Presbyterian Church.

In 1966, Al ran for the 30^th District Representative seat but it does not appear he was successful. Al served as Milford mayor and was in office when Milford’s downtown businesses became integrated in 1963. Humes was instrumental in pushing local businesses to integrate. That same year, Al was overruled by council when he wanted to appoint David A. Clements, Jr., as head of the police commission. With a vote of five to three, council appointed G. Brainard Poore.

Al died in 1991 of heart failure. He was survived by his wife, Ruth, a son Harry E., two daughters, Ruth H. Folta and Claire H. Ernsberger as well as his brother William.

The Humes home, however, still stands at 206 North Walnut Street, constructed in 1880 by William Humes. The home has four bedrooms, an ornate en-suite master bath complete with a domed ceiling, marble floor, ball and claw foot tub and granite countertops. Original lead-stained windows allow natural light into the home. It has a fully floored attic and basement, ten-foot ceilings and wide veranda.

Harry and Clara lived at 404 South Walnut Street from 1899 until 1939 when J. Harry died and Clara moved to Pennsylvania. Clara’s mother, Emma, would take the train to Milford daily from Lincoln City to visit her daughter and do her banking.

The J. Harry and Clara home is unique as it was built using plans sold by the Ladies Home Journal. Extremely popular in the 1800 and 1900s, the magazine began featuring house plans as early as 1895. According to Harry and Carolyn Humes, the original plans were in the possession of Harry’s father and were dated 1897. He gave them to the new owners of the home when he sold it but did not keep a copy. Carolyn Humes’ parents purchased the home after Harry and Clara passed away.

Brother Al moved into the same neighborhood when he came back to Milford from Allentown. He purchased 209 South Walnut Street. When William died, the home at 206 North Walnut was owned by his daughter, Bess, eventually going to her daughter, Sara and then Sara’s son, Milton Dill.

Humes Hardware’s building still stands and is currently the home of the Mispillion Art League.