The Humbird Chapel
David Humbird (1848-1928) & M. Kate Humbird (1846-1922)
David arrived in Hudson in the 1870s around the same time as his brother, John A. Humbird. Both worked for their father, Jacob Humbird, a very successful lumberman. David was married to M. Kate Stalnaker. The M. stood for Maria, but she went by Kate. The two Humbird brothers, John and David, actually married sisters, Caroline and M. Kate. While the census records don’t indicate their street address, a photo marked “The Humbird house” can be found on the online Hudson Area Public Library photo archives. This house was located at 714 Third Street. This home is next to the First Baptist Church and has been converted into four condo units today.David was a member of the St. Croix Bridge Company, a group dedicated to building the toll bridge. He was a stockholder in the new company and contributed $5,000 in 1910-1911. David and Kate had three children. Sadly, none of them lived beyond the age of seven. David Leroy, Rosa Kate, and Sam Johnson Humbird are all buried in Willow River Cemetery.One year before her death, Kate donated the funds to build the Humbird Chapel in Willow River Cemetery. A plaque was added later to the chapel that acknowledges her generous gift.David and M. Kate are buried in Myrtle Hall Memorial Park in Tampa, Florida.(Story courtesy of Historic Hudson, WI Facebook page)
In 2014 we started renovating the interior of our Humbird chapel, with the hardwood floors polished and varnished, the walls and ceiling repainted, and the windows refurbished. Many thanks to Wayne Haut and The Neighborhood Vintage group for taking care of that part of our remodel.
In 2021 we focused on the outside of the chapel, replacing the shingles and cleaning and repainting the bricks and pillars, all made possible from private donations.
The Chapel is now available to rent for memorial or burial services.