My Genealogy Hound

MARTIN MUMMA, one of the representative business men and popular and respected citizens of Cumberland county, president of the First National Bank of Mechanicsburg, was born June 14, 1834, near Bainbridge, Lancaster county, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Nissley) Mumma, the former of whom was born in 1808, near High Spire, Dauphin county. The ancestors of the Mumma family came from Switzerland to America about 1735. John Mumma, grandfather of Martin, was the father of the following children: Jacob, John, Christian, Samuel, Elizabeth and Francis, all deceased.

Jacob Mumma, son of John and father of Martin, was born in 1808 near High Spire, Dauphin county. He married Elizabeth Nissley, and their children were: Martin; John, deceased; Jacob, a retired farmer of Cumberland county: Eli, an implement dealer at Mechanicsburg; Amos, an implement dealer in Harrisburg; Anna, wife of Levi Mussleman, of Upper Allen township, Cumberland county; Eliza, wife of Christian Heitler, a retired farmer of Mechanicsburg; and Emma, the wife of John Harnish, a dealer in grain and feed at Mechanicsburg. Jacob Mumma was one of the well known citizens and leading farmers of Cumberland county, and for many years was a minister of the Mennonite Church, a religious body to which the family has been attached for generations. In 1848, he purchased the farm now owned by our subject in Silver Spring township, in the limits of Mechanicsburg, one of the most valuable properties in this part of the county. He was one of the most substantial men of this locality, and was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Mechanicsburg.

Martin Mumma was reared on the farm, and obtained his education in the public schools of Silver Spring township, and later at Mechanicsburg. In 1859 he married Catherine Shelly, of Lower Allen township, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Shelly, of Cumberland county. A family of nine children was born to this union, six of whom grew to maturity, namely: Mitton S., a farmer of Silver Spring township; Elizabeth, wife of E. N. Neiswonger, of Mechanicsburg; Edwin, now deceased: Jacob, an implement dealer at Mechanicsburg; William and Clara, at home; and Mary, the wife of H. A. Mumper.

In politics Mr. Mumma has been a life-long Republican and has always taken a sincere interest in the success of his party. In 1866 he became a director in the First National Bank at Mechanicsburg, and since 1895 has been its able and conservative president. From 1875 to 1890 he was a director of the Allen S: East Pennsboro Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was one of the trustees of the celebrated H. G. Moser estate for twenty years, and guardian for the children. Few men are better known in this city, and few have had larger interests confided to their care. Coming as he does from one of the prominent old families of the county, he is a worthy representative of its sterling attributes.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., is one of the veteran financial institutions of this section of Pennsylvania. Since 1859 it has proved its stability and has passed safely through years of great financial stringency, all over the country, fulfilling with fidelity all promises made to depositors. Its history, while interesting, is brief.

The foundations of this great business were laid in 1859, by Merkel, Mumma & Co., who established a private banking house under that title. In 1861 a charter was secured, and the name of the Mechanicsburg Bank was assumed, and it continued thus until 1864, when it became a National Bank, and was rechartered as such, in 1883, and again in 1903.

The First National Bank is a bank of discount and deposit, making collections, dealing in bonds and other good securities, and, in fact, transacting all business pertaining to legitimate banking. In all lines it has an extensive and responsible clientele, many of its customers being among the old and solid business firms of this section, some of them having confided their business interests to this institution almost since its inception. The last official report shows increasing strength. Its capital stock, paid in, is $100,000: its surplus is $88,840, nearly equaling its capital. This, in the eyes of investors, makes a fine showing, indicating the careful and conservative management which prevails. The officers are: Martin Mumma, president: James A. Brandt, cashier; J. D. Landes, teller, while the board of directors includes these prominent business men: Martin Mumma, S. F. Houston, John H. Bowman. D. R. Merkel, Simon Eberly, A. G. Eberly, S. M. Hertzler, J. H. Koller and Ira S. Eberly.

Martin Mumma, president of the bank, is a retired farmer and a man well and favorably known to the citizens of this locality. Other officers have also long been prominent in this city. Mr. Brandt, the cashier, is a banker of large experience and of thorough training. Much of the institution’s success has been due to his efficiency.