Born in
Morgan County,
Alabama, Humphreys began the practice of law in
Madison County, Alabama. He was a member of the
Alabama House of Representatives in 1843, 1849, 1853, and 1868. He was a planter and in private practice in
Huntsville, Alabama from 1850 to 1861. During the
American Civil War, he served in the
Confederate States Army, rising to the rank of Colonel. ==Federal judicial service==