My Genealogy Hound

COL. THEODORE L. MUMFORD, formerly a prominent resident of Mauch Chunk, was the lessee and manager of the noted Switch Back Railroad of that city, with which he became identified in the year 1879. His connection with that company covered a period of fifteen years, and he operated the road successfully from the first. He carried it on during the summer and fall months, the season terminating on the 1st of November of each year. The number of people who patronize the road during one season often amounts to eighty thousand. The starting place is on the extreme point of Mt. Pisgah, the passengers for that place being drawn up on an inclined plane by a stationary engine and cars made for the purpose. During the trip they visit many places of interest in the mountains and coal regions. Mt. Pisgah is sixteen hundred and sixty feet above tide water. The decline in the grade of the road is ninety-six feet to the mile, and the cars used are the regular tourist coaches, so there is no obstacle to obstruct the view of the delightful scenery through which they pass.

Mr. Mumford is a native of New York, born near Cooperstown, Otsego County, in 1831. The Mumford family was founded in America by ancestors who emigrated from Wales in 1680. As early as 1700 their descendants located in Otsego, N. Y. The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Mumford, was a farmer and merchant. He also took quite a prominent part in polities and served as State Senator. His wife was in her maidenhood Polly Adams, and her father was one of the heroes of the Revolution. The father of our subject, Orville Mumford, was also a native of the Empire State. Having attained to mature years, he was united in marriage, with Jerusha Edson, whose ancestors were numbered among the Puritan forefathers, and landed at Salem, Mass., in 1629. The family was founded in New York in 1800.

In taking up the personal history of Colonel Mumford we present to our readers the life record of one who is both widely and favorably known in Carbon County. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity and acquired his education in the common schools. At the early age of fourteen he commenced to earn his own livelihood and began his career as a railroad man, being employed in assisting an engineering corps in locating the Blossburg & Corning Railroad. He was afterward employed on the Erie Road, now the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad, with which he was connected for a number of years.

On leaving the employ of that company Colonel Mumford went to Lancaster, Pa., and was employed at the Norris Locomotive Works as Assistant Superintendent of the same, and remained there until the works were closed down. He then left his native land and went to Central America. He secured employment in Costa Rica with Henry Meigs, receiving a salary of $5,000 per year, payable in American gold. He there remained for some time, and on his return to the United States he formed a connection with the New York & Oswego Midland Railroad, now the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad. He was the principal Director of the business of this road in all departments for several years, or until their financial depression caused him to abandon the position.

The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Mumford was in her maidenhood Maria Timm. She was born in the Empire State, and is a daughter of John Timm, also of New York. To the Colonel and his wife were born two children. Henry E., an intelligent and gifted young man, died in 1884, in his twenty-first year. The other child died in infancy.

The Colonel was a stanch Republican, taking a prominent part in political affairs, and served as a member of the Republican State Central Committee. He frequently served as a delegate to the county, congressional and state conventions, where his opinions were received with favor, for his worth is known throughout the state.