Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Government, People

Location

240 W Buffalo St, Warsaw, NY 14569, USA

Lat/Long

42.739985701982, -78.141014124393

Grant Recipient

Warsaw Historical Society and The Gates House Museum

Born in Canton, Connecticut, in 1817, Wolcott J. Humphrey moved to Sheldon, Wyoming County, at one year old. In his youth, he worked in his family’s tanning business before relocating to Warsaw in 1864. In 1871, he acquired the Wyoming County National Bank and served as its president until his death in 1890.

Humphrey held various local and state offices throughout his life:

• State Assembly: Served two one-year terms representing Wyoming County. As chairman of the committee on railroads, he oversaw the consolidation and reorganization of the New York Central Railroad.
• State Senate: Elected in 1865 and 1867 to represent the 13th District (Wyoming, Livingston, and Allegany counties).
• Republican Party Leadership: Served as Chairman of the Republican County Commission and was a member of the Republican National Committee.

In 1867, shortly before his re-election to the Senate, Humphrey was arrested on bribery charges. An accuser alleged Humphrey accepted $500 to influence the New York Central Railroad consolidation bill. Humphrey denied the charge, accusing his detractor of perjury. He was re-elected ten days later and was never convicted.