George M. Humphrey
George Magoffin Humphrey (March 8, 1890 – January 20, 1970)[1] was an American lawyer, businessman and banker. He served as the United States Secretary of the Treasury for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
For other people named George M. Humphrey, see George M. Humphrey (disambiguation).
George Humphrey
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Early life[edit]
Humphrey was born on March 8, 1890, and raised in Cheboygan, Michigan, the son of Caroline (née Magoffin) Humphrey (1861–1946) and Watts Sherman Humphrey (1844–1916).[2]
Through his brother Watts S. Humphrey, he was the uncle of software engineer Watts Humphrey.
He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan.[3]
Career[edit]
After practicing law in Saginaw, Michigan for five years with his father's firm, he accepted a position as general counsel with steel manufacturer M. A. Hanna Company in 1917.[3] That association lasted 35 years and included his ascension to company president in 1929. He served as Chairman of The Business Council, then known as the Business Advisory Council for the United States Department of Commerce in 1946.[4] Following Dwight Eisenhower's election to the Presidency in 1952, Humphrey was recommended by close adviser General Lucius D. Clay, who had worked with the corporate magnate regarding post-war plans in Germany.
On January 15, 1913, Humphrey was married to Pamela Stark of Saginaw.[3] They had three children together:[11]
In his later years, Humphrey essentially remained out of the spotlight. His health deteriorated when he suffered an apparent heat stroke in August 1969. He then became a frequent visitor to hospitals until entering Cleveland's University Hospital cardiac unit on December 27, 1969. He died there on January 20, 1970.[1][15] He was buried at the Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.