George M. Humphrey

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).{{cite web |title=HUMPHREY, GEORGE MAGOFFIN |url=https://case.edu/ech/articles/h/humphrey-george-magoffin |website=case.edu |publisher=Encyclopedia of Cleveland History {{!}} Case Western Reserve University |access-date=26 April 2019 |date=5 March 2019}}

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.

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. 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.[http://www.thebusinesscouncil.org/about/background.aspx The Business Council, Official website, Background] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213615/http://www.thebusinesscouncil.org/about/background.aspx |date=March 3, 2016 }} 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.

As Secretary of the Treasury in the first Republican Administration in 20 years, Humphrey was one of the most influential of President Eisenhower's Cabinet members.{{cite web |title=George M. Humphrey (1953–1957) |url=https://millercenter.org/president/eisenhower/essays/humphrey-1953-secretary-of-the-treasury |website=millercenter.org |publisher=Miller Center of Public Affairs |access-date=26 April 2019 |date=4 October 2016}} Eisenhower was once quoted as saying, "When George speaks, we all listen."

Humphrey had given up a $300,000 salary to accept the Cabinet position that paid just $22,500. He fought to have a balanced budget, tight money, limits on welfare and foreign aid, as well as "trickle down" tax cuts.{{cite news |title=Corporation Builder; George Magoffin Humphrey |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1962/08/17/310077412.pdf |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=17 August 1962}} He was even more adamant about government spending, saying in a 1957 press conference that if it wasn't curbed, "you will have a depression that will curl your hair."{{cite news |title=A Proud Conservative; George Magoffin Humphrey A Success in Business Not So Hoover-like |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1957/01/18/87263517.pdf |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=18 January 1957}} Humphrey left office on July 29, 1957.{{cite news |title=Mr. Humphrey's Departure |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1957/07/30/84915099.pdf |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=30 July 1957}} Following Humphrey's departure that same year, he returned to the Hanna Company, serving as honorary board chairman and director, then later became chairman of National Steel Corporation.{{cite news |title=Millsop Succeeding Humphrey As Chairman of National Steel; NATIONAL STEEL PICKS CHAIRMAN |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/02/22/118901091.pdf |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=22 February 1961}}{{cite news |title=HUMPHREY FINDS U.S. APPRECIATED; Ex-Treasury Chief Asserts Eisenhower Is Held in High Regard Abroad |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1960/11/01/99817449.pdf |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=1 November 1960}}

In 1962, Humphrey became embroiled in a potential controversy when a Senate committee investigated the stockpiling of nickel during his time in the Cabinet.{{cite news |last1=Loftus |first1=Joseph A. |title=Inquiry Will Ask George Humphrey About Stockpile Profit Case; Political Overtones Funds Advanced |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1962/08/12/121578947.pdf |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=12 August 1962}} The $98 million deal involved companies he had once headed, but he explained that his motivation was to increase the country's strategic stockpiles and was thus cleared. He made no profit from the deal.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

On January 15, 1913, Humphrey was married to Pamela Stark of Saginaw. They had three children together:{{cite book |last1=Van Tassel |first1=David Dirck |last2=University |first2=Case Western Reserve |title=The Encyclopedia of Cleveland history |date=1987 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-31303-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B_wTAAAAYAAJ |access-date=26 April 2019 }}

• Cynthia Pamela Humphrey, who married Royal Firman Jr. They divorced in September 1970.{{cite news |title=Mrs. Farley and Royal Firrnan Jr. Disclose Wedding Here on July 28 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1970/09/10/78816161.pdf |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=10 September 1970}}
• Gilbert Watts Humphrey (d. 1979), who became the Chairman of the Hanna conglomerate.{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Joan |title=Gilbert W. Humphrey, Chairman Of Hanna Conglomerate, Is Dead |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1979/06/20/111040703.pdf |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=20 June 1979}}
• Caroline Helen Humphrey, who married John G. Butler.{{cite book |last1=Congress |first1=United States |title=Congressional Directory |date=1955 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=377 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8KOGAAAAMAAJ |access-date=26 April 2019 }}

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.{{cite news |title=George M. Humphrey, 79, Dies; Former Secretary of Treasury |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1970/01/21/79095995.pdf |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=21 January 1970}}{{cite news |title=Estate of George Humphrey Joins in Hanna Stock Sale |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/10/21/archives/estate-of-george-humphrey-joins-in-hanna-stock-sale.html |access-date=26 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=21 October 1970}} He was buried at the Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://eisenhower.archives.gov/Research/Finding_Aids/pdf/Humphrey_George_Papers.pdf Papers of George M. Humphrey, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library]
• {{find a Grave|1312}}

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{{U.S. Cabinet official box

| before= John W. Snyder

| after= Robert B. Anderson

| years= 1953–1957

| president= Dwight D. Eisenhower

| department= Secretary of the Treasury}}

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Category:1890 births

Category:1970 deaths

Category:20th-century American politicians

Category:University of Michigan Law School alumni

Category:American Episcopalians

Category:20th-century American lawyers

Category:United States secretaries of the treasury

Category:American racehorse owners and breeders

Category:Burials at Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland

Category:Eisenhower administration cabinet members

Category:People from Cheboygan, Michigan

Category:Michigan Republicans