Ernest J. Humphrey was born in 1868 in Big Rapids, Michigan. In 1886 he moved to Ontonagon County to work in the lumber industry. He eventually settled in Ewen, and in 1900 married Edna Butts. The couple purchased 160 acres at this location in 1906. At first, they rented a nearby house as the farm was started. In 1912 they constructed a large barn, primarily to house horses used in Ernest's logging business. In 1917, they constructed and moved into the house on the property. Ernest continued to log and work the farm until his death in 1946.[2]
After Ernest Humphrey died, his sons continued his logging business, with son John also managing the farm. Edna Humphrey lived in the house until her death in 1970, and for the next few years John Humphrey’s son, Jim, lived in the house. In 1974, Ernest and Edna Humphrey's estate was settled, and their daughter, Ruth Humphrey Dolphin, took possession of the house and some surrounding acreage for use as a vacation home. In 1999, the property passed from Ruth Dolphin to her children, James Dolphin and Charlotte Risto. In 2012 Charlotte purchased the entire property, and in 2013 she
gave the property to her daughter, Gail Peteler.[2]
