My Genealogy Hound

HENRY MUMMA. A well-cultivated and pleasantly located farm of one hundred acres is the home of the gentleman above named, who may be numbered among the old settlers of Clark County. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa., July 3, 1827, being the youngest in a family of five children. Of these two beside himself are now living; Jacob resides in Effingham County, Ill., and Mrs. Elizabeth Rohrer in Putnam County, this State, The parents were Christian and Elizabeth (Manse) Mumma, who were also natives of Lancaster County, Pa. The ancestry is German in the paternal line, and is supposed to be English in the maternal line.

In his native county, he of whom we write, was reared to the age of twelve years, receiving such educational advantages as the section afforded and his years would permit. His parents then removed to Clark County Ohio, a settlement being made on section 19, Moorefield Township, where our subject is now living. The first home of the family was a log cabin, and in pioneer style they began their life in what was practically a forest. Clearing was begun by the father, assisted by his sons, and in common with other pioneers, hardships were endured and arduous toil was undergone by the family. Christian Mumma enjoyed a large acquaintance and was highly respected by all who knew him for his honesty and integrity in business transactions, for his industrious habits and the interest which he took in the development and improvement of the county. He was a member of the Mennonite Church, the faith of which brightened for him the valley of death into which he entered July 22, 1866. His wife, who also enjoyed a large circle of friends, passed away March 22, 1876.

Henry Mumma has devoted his life to farm labors, his youth having been passed in assisting his father in the development of the homestead upon which he was reared to manhood and upon which he has been carrying on a successful life. Realizing that it is not good for man to live alone, he took a companion January 15, 1852, his choice being Miss Elenora Shopp, who has proved her worth as wife, mother, and neighbor. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of six children, and the parents mourn the loss of two — Franklin S. and Amanda C. The survivors are: Sarah E., wife of John Erter, of Adams County, Iowa; William H., who lives in Fayette County, Ill.; Emma F., wife of Cyrus Nelson, of Springfield; and Charles E.

Mrs. Mumma was born in Cumberland County, Pa., November 16, 1830. Her paternal ancestors were German, while in the maternal line she is of German and English stock. Her parents were the Rev. Christian and Sarah M. (Ruply) Shopp, natives of the Keystone State, who removed to Ohio in the spring of 1831. Their daughter Elenora, then a babe but a few months old, was brought in a cradle in a covered wagon to Montgomery County, in which the family lived until about 1847. They then changed their residence to Springfield Township, Clark County, where Mrs. Shopp died in November, 1871. The widowed father then took up his residence in the home of our subject where he remained until also called home, July 14, 1874. He was a minister of the United Brethren Church, and labored for many years in the vineyard of the Lord, mostly as a local minister. He was the father of fourteen children, of whom the following are now living: Isaac, in Mercer County; Solomon, in Henry County, Iowa; Christian in Burlington, Iowa; Montgomery O., in Elk County, Kan.; Susannah, wife of George McCafferty, in Jasper County, Mo.; Frances, widow of John Mumma, in Johnson County, Mo.; Sarah, wife of the Rev. William Wells, in Dayton, this State, and the wife of our subject.

Mr. Mumma is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party and favors all enterprises which will tend to increase the prosperity and true civilization of the country, particularly of that section of which he is an honored resident.