Harrison [Township]

Jacob Mumma, father of George R. Mumma, was born October, 1792, in Lancaster County, Pa. At the age of four he moved with his father to Maryland. He was a apprentice for six years at the weavers' trade; at the age of twenty-two married Miss Mary M. Blessing, of Frederick County, Md., and as a result of said alliance, nine children have been born to them. He continued his trade for more than thirty years. In 1827 he moved to Dayton, Ohio; was twenty-five days on the way; bought a small farm of fifty-three acres, situated three miles northwest of Dayton, for three hundred and fourteen dollars. He followed farming and attending market till within two years of his death; died at the age of seventy-seven. Mary M., his wife, daughter of Philip Blessing, was born in Frederick County, Md. She was one of the most thorough of women in all the details of house work, and as a tender-hearted and affectionate mother none surpass her. She is still living with one of her daughters, two miles from Dayton. She is seventy-nine years of age.

George R. Mumma, eldest son of a family of nine children, was born in Frederick County, Md., December 5, 1819; came to this State with his father in 1827, and settled at or near Dayton. His father being a weaver by trade, young George was reared in all the details of that business, working at it for some eight years from early morn until late at night, during which time he attended market, which he continued to follow for twelve years afterwards. He would be at the market by twelve o'clock at night, and at home for breakfast early in the morning. He attended school in an old "Pioneer School-House" from three to four months each winter. He applied himself studiously, and after he was of age he taught school for five successive winters at the rate of sixty dollars for sixty-five days' schooling, boarding himself out of said funds. Worked for his father on the old farm for fifty dollars during the summer and fall; thus he commenced life, and to-day, by close application to business, strict integrity, and sound judgment, he is well off.

In a few years he went into partnership with Andrew Heiks in the nursery business. The second year he bought out his partner, hired help, kept bachelor's-hall for two years. At the age of thirty-four years he was married to Miss Mary A. Drake, of Clinton County, Ohio, daughter of Benjamin and Lovina Drake. Mary is one of a family of eleven children, and is a lovely and devoted wife. George, being thus surrounded by such happy influences, was able to extend his now growing and prosperous business, till at length he stands among the most prominent in the land. He has, at the present time, a beautiful home about one and a half miles from Dayton, northwest, a fine view of which, besides portraits of himself and wife, may be seen elsewhere. He keeps a strict account of all moneys received and paid out, and to-day he pays next to the highest government tax of any one in this Township.

Mr. Mumma is the happy father of six children, two of whom died in infancy. He is a worthy and esteemed member of the Evangelical Luthern Church, which he joined at the age of twenty-four. But few can truly say that he never missed a communion service since a member, but Mr. M. can.

He is not only a supporter of the preached Word, but the Sabbath-school finds in him one of its strongest supporters; besides, our common schools are well supported by him.