WILLIAM FREELAND HUMBLE, cashier of the Conestoga Steam Mills, Lancaster, is descended from a family who settled in America in 1720, and who have been extensive landowners for generations. His maternal ancestors, the Traceys, came from Ireland, while the Freelands came from England. They settled in Baltimore county, Md., where they became extensive landowners, so extentive, indeed, that Freeland Station (and also post office), in Baltimore county, is named after them. Mr. Humble's grandfather, Urias Freeland, lived and died in Baltimore county, and his father, Lewis Humble, came to America from Hanover, Germany, in 1830, settling in Baltimore county. He married Mrs. Anna (Freeland) Allison, and they had two children, William F. and Henry, the latter a veteran of the Civil war, who, after serving gallantly all through the war of the Rebellion as a member of the 2d P. V. I. and 20th P. V. C., went to Maryland, where he still lives. Lewis Humble died in 1885, aged seventy-six years, and his wife entered into rest in 1876, aged seventy-four years and six months.


William F. Humble was born in Columbia, Lancaster county (where his father was connected with a warehouse), Oct. 7, 1843, and was educated there and in Reading. After reaching manhood he became connected with the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, at Lancaster, first as clerk, then as agent, and finally as general agent, remaining in the service of that company for twenty years, less six weeks. Resigning his position on Saturday, April 30, 1887, he assumed his new position in the Conestoga Steam Mills, under the late S. S. Spencer, on Monday morning, May 2d, Sunday having intervened between the two positions; and there, in the Conestoga Steam Mills, we find him to-day, occupying the responsible position of cashier, after an uninterrupted service of sixteen years.
Mr. Humble was married May 26, 1880, to Miss Ida Dorwart, daughter of Martin Dorwart, of Lancaster. Two children were born to this union, one of whom died in infancy. The other, M. Alan Humble, graduated at the Horner Military School at Oxford, N. C., in May, 1903, enjoying the distinction of graduating at the institution when less than sixteen years old, his sixteenth birthday not occurring until the August after his graduation.


Mr. Humble is a member of Susquehanna Lodge No. 80, I. O. O. F., of Columbia. He belongs to St. John's Episcopal Church, Lancaster, and is a Republican in politics. He lives at No. 133 East James street, having purchased one of the handsome and comfortable homes on that block years ago; and, although having charge of the financial affairs of a vast manufacturing business, is ever genial, and ready to give a kindly greeting and encouraging word to those with whom he comes in contact.