Joseph H. Humphries / Irving M. Nelson

Joseph H. Humphries

J.H. Humphries was born in Thomasville, GA on January 24, 1857, and came to Florida in 1865, where he initially settled in Bartow to practice law.  In 1887 he married Ms. Emma C. Blount in Bartow.

In 1888, one year after Bradenton became the county seat for Manatee County, J.H. Humphries moved there to start the Manatee River Journal.  He was able to publish the first issue of the Journal, 250 copies, on Aug 30,1888, in spite of a yellow fever epidemic.  He remained in the newspaper business working with several newspapers throughout his career.

In 1922, he organized the Manatee County Fertilizer Company and was its first president. He remained active in its management until ill health forced him to retire.

Beside his business interest, Humphries made significant contributions to politics in the region and the state.  A Democrat/Prohibitionist, he was elected to the State Constitutional Convention of 1885 to represent Pol County.  He was a State Senator for 1904 to 1912, serving two terms.

On a local level, Humphries was Secretary of the committee with successfully lobbied for the incorporation of Bradenton in 1903.  He was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to serve as Postmaster for Bradenton in the mid-teens. Click here for obituary of Humphries as reported by the Manatee River Journal-Herald on Jan. 15, 1925

Irving M. Nelson

Little is known about Mr. Nelson other than he worked as a circus strongman before working for the Sarasota City police department during the 1930’s through the 1950’s.