My Genealogy Hound

ABRAM W. MUMPER. There is probably not a finer farm within the limits of Clark County than that which has been built up by our subject, who is one of Moorefield Township’s most highly respected citizens. He may usually be found at his headquarters on section 11, where he gives the most of his attention to general agriculture and stock-raising. He was born in Miami County, this State, April 27, 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Ann (Wagoner) Mumper, who were natives of Pennsylvania.

Jacob Mumper was born, in 1810, in York County, Pa., and lived there until after his marriage. Then, in 1839, he emigrated to Illinois, but only remained there three years. We next find him locating among the pioneers of Miami County, this State, but after a two years’ residence there he removed to Champaign County, and settled permanently in Urbana Towmship. He opened up a farm from the wilderness, and lived there until death overtook him in 1883. The widowed mother is still living, and is in the seventy-ninth year of her age, and she makes her home in Urbana. Jacob Mumper was well-fitted by nature and acquirements for life in a pioneer country, being a man of energy and perseverance, great industry and good management. Although he had contributed generously to all church enterprises for a number of years, he was not a member of any denomination until about one year before his death, when he identified himself with the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he was one of the most zealous adherents of the Republican party. He possessed strong individual characteristics, and in his field of labor took a front rank. Much has been said of the heroism of sailors and soldiers who face the cannon’s mouth in theiv country’s defense. But no less heroic are those pioneers in new lands, whose patient continuance in the rugged paths of labor teaches a lesson of devotion and bravery. As one of these, the descendants of Jacob Mumper are justly proud of the heritage of a worthy life which he bequeathed to them.

The parental family consisted of nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: Jane M., the wife of John E. Todd; Alcetta, Mrs. J. W. Rawlings; Abram W., John J., Annie E., the wife of Dr. E. P. Kingsly; all of these, except our subject, are residents of Champaign County; Emma, the wife of Dr. Wolford, of Lima; and Ella, Mrs. Charles Nichols, of Portsmouth.

The subject of this notice spent his boyhood and youth amid the wild scenes of pioneer life and up to the age of twenty-eight years remained with his parents on the farm. His education was necessarily somewhat limited, being confined mostly to attendance at the district school during the winter season. During the progress of the Civil War he entered the Union Army, May 2, 1861, as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Ohio Infantry, enlisting in the one hundred days’ service. He was at Petersburg during the famous fight, engaged in some skirmishing and assisted in building the pontoon bridge, so that Grant’s army could pass from the Wilderness to Petersburg. He saw much of the hardships and privations of army life, but escaped unharmed, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment received his honorable discharge, in September, 1864. Returning now to this county, Mr. Mumper resumed the peaceful pursuits of civil life, and was married October 1, 1868, to Miss Sarah Hutton. This lady was born in York County, Pa., to Elijah and Elizabeth (Lambert) Hutton, and by her union with our subject became the mother of five children, viz.: Elizabeth, who died when eighteen months old; Lulu G., who is attending Delaware University; Oscar T., Edna; and Myrtle, who died when eleven months old.

In 1868, Mr. Mumper removed to Clark County and took up his residence in Moorefield Township, where he now resides. About 1877 he began handling agricultural implements, and was the first man to introduce the Osborn Binder into Champaign and Clark Counties. He was thus occupied probably for a period of twenty years, but in the meantime superintended the operations of his farm, improved it with good buildings, and gathered around himself and his family the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He is looked upon as a public-spirited citizen, and politically, is a straight Republican. In his religious beliefs he conforms to the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has officiated as a Deacon, and held other positions of trust and responsibility. Mrs. Mumper is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have a pleasant home, an intelligent family, and enjoy the confidence and esteem of hosts of friends.

Socially, Mr. Mumper is a member of the William A. Brand Post, No. 96, G. A. R., at Urbana. He is also one of the Directors of the Urbana Camp-meeting Association, and is in various ways identified with the history of the community. The difficulties which soon intimidate the timid, have been surmounted by him, and his present honorable position in life is due to his own determined efforts. Perseverance and zeal; together with good business management, have been rewarded by prosperity, which is well deserved.

Among the galaxy of portraits* of citizens of Clark County, we are pleased to present that of Mr. Mumper and, in connection with it, that of his estimable wife.

*Portraits were included in the original printed volume.