George M. Humphrey

George Magoffin Humphrey (March 8, 1890Template:Spaced ndashJanuary 20, 1970)<ref name="GMHObit1970"/> was an American lawyer, businessman and banker. He served as the United States Secretary of the Treasury for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Early life

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).<ref name="case">Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name="1962CorpBuilder"/>

Career

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.<ref name="1962CorpBuilder"/> 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.<ref name="business">The Business Council, Official website, Background Template:Webarchive</ref> 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.

Secretary of the Treasury

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.<ref name="millercenter">Template:Cite web</ref> Eisenhower was once quoted as saying, "When George speaks, we all listen."<ref name="1957News"/>

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.<ref name="1962CorpBuilder">Template:Cite news</ref> 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."<ref name="1957News">Template:Cite news</ref> Humphrey left office on July 29, 1957.<ref name="1957Departure">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="1961Chairman">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="1960Abroad">Template:Cite news</ref>

Later life

In 1962, Humphrey became embroiled in a potential controversy when a Senate committee investigated the stockpiling of nickel during his time in the Cabinet.<ref name="Loftus1962">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.Template:Citation needed

Personal life

On January 15, 1913, Humphrey was married to Pamela Stark of Saginaw.<ref name="1962CorpBuilder"/> They had three children together:<ref name="VanTassel1987">Template:Cite book</ref>

• Cynthia Pamela Humphrey, who married Royal Firman Jr.<ref name="Congress1955"/> They divorced in September 1970.<ref name="1970Wedding">Template:Cite news</ref>
• Gilbert Watts Humphrey (d. 1979), who became the Chairman of the Hanna conglomerate.<ref name="GWHObit1979">Template:Cite news</ref>
• Caroline Helen Humphrey, who married John G. Butler.<ref name="Congress1955">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref name="GMHObit1970">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="1970Sale">Template:Cite news</ref> He was buried at the Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

The gravesite of Secretary Humphrey

External links

• Papers of George M. Humphrey, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library