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William Humes, also one of the prominent farmers and stock raisers of 
Meramec Township, was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1852, and is the son of 

Thomas and Elizabeth Ann (Ring) Humes.  The father was born in England, 

and when about eighteen years of age came to the United States, and 

worked a short time in the salt mines in New York.  He then went to 

Galena, Ill., making the journey on foot, and from there to St. Louis, 

where he passed the remainder of his life in the interest of coal mining.  

He had made mining almost his life long business, and was thoroughly 

conversant with all its workings.  He sunk and operated the first coal 

shaft that was ever sunk in the State of Missouri, and was the inventor 

of what miners call the "Gin," a machine for hoisting coal with a horse.  

He was married in St. Louis, and died December 25, 1875.  His wife was 

born in Indiana, and died July 6, 1876.  William grew to manhood on the 

farm and secured a fair education in the common schools.  He was married 

in 1875 to Miss Amanda S., daughter of Oscar F. and Jane Buchanan, who 

were natives of St. Louis.  Two children were born to this union: Oscar F. 

and Maud S.  After marriage Mr. Humes spent about two years teaming, after 

which he turned his attention again to farming, and remained in St. Louis 

County until 1884, when he came to Jefferson County, and settled on Big 

River, near House's Springs, where he has an excellent farm of 190 acres.  

While in St. Louis County he rented a good farm, and in two years of 

successful and able management was enabled to purchase a good home of his 

own. He has also considerable property in St. Louis left him from his 
father's estate.  Politically a Democrat, his first presidential vote
was cast for Tilden, in 1876.