This gentleman,
the oldest living son of the late Judge James Mumford, was born on
December 3, 1840, in that section of Preston township which now is
incorporated as Starrucca borough. When in his seventh year he was sent
to the district school and remained an attendant upon its teachings
until eighteen years old, when he went to the academy kept by the then
County Superintendent of Schools S. A. Terrell and Professor Briggs, at
Prompton, Wayne County. After one term's tuition there a season as a
teacher followed, that being succeeded by a course of study at the
Montrose Academy. In 1862, he attended the State Normal School at
Millersville, Pa.. While there, in 1863, the call for troops to defend
the State against the rebels was made, and Mr. Mumford joined the
special company raised by Professor J. P. Wickersham among the Normal
students. The alarm having subsided, the company was disbanded and our
subject attended Lowell's Business College, Binghamton, N. Y., for a
term, on conclusion of which he returned to Starrucca and entered
mercantile business as clerk with Major E. P. Strong. His services
proving valuable, at the end of one year, in 1865, he became partner in
the business, under firm style W. W. Mumford & Co.. Five years later
the interest of Major Strong was purchased by Colonel G. B. Osborn and
the firm became Mumford & Osborn.
This continued some three years, until the death of Judge Mumford,
in 1873, necessitated the retirement of Mr. Mumford for the purpose of
settling up the extensive business interests of his father. This step
was accomplished by the purchase of his interests by Major Strong.
During the fall of 1874 his nomination for representative of the State
Legislature was made unknown to himself; but buckling on the Republican
armor, he entered the lists to overcome a Democratic majority and
succeeded by a handsome surplus. In Starrucca his popularity was so
great that but three votes were cast against him. In the House
he was placed upon three committees and served the people faithfully and
well. During his membership he determined upon a future course and
erected a large store for mercantile purposes near his residence in the
borough; so upon retirement from the halls of legislation he at once
placed a varied stock of goods in the building and recommenced business
life in 1876. About this time, having given considerable thought and
attention to the question of manufacture of chemicals, and in company
with his brother, C. D. Mumford, having purchased eight hundred acres of
timber land, it was decided to establish works for the purpose.
Associating with them a practical and experienced manufacturer, the
factory was erected and the Starrucca Chemical Company was put into
operation, the pioneer of an industry in Wayne County which now engages
five large works, heavy capital and employs a large list of men in its
various departments, making pyroligneous acid and wood alcohol from the
abundant beech, birch and maple forests of the country.
Mr. Mumford was elected school director in the spring of 1874, and
recognizing the immense advantage of a liberal education, he always
given support to matters looking to the pushing forward such ability.
The school-house had long been insufficient for the numbers seeking its
doors, and was, in addition, old and dilapidated, and the energies of
Mr. Mumford were turned towards remedying such defect. After several
years' effort, appropriations were made and increased by subscription
lists circulated by the members of the board, and by a fair undertaken
for such purpose, until a sum sufficient to cover the cost of the
present handsome structure (finished in the fall of 1881) was made
up.
At the onset it was said "no use for a larger house;" now of the
present edifice, "'tis not large enough for all;" still all classes are
proud of the building, and the attendance has rapidly increased.
On October 16, 1868, Mr. Mumford was united in wedlock with Miss
Laura A., daughter of Theodore Swift, of Ulster County, N. Y., and the
union has resulted in the birth of six children -- Lorena, Hattie E.,
Jennie E., Minnie Belle, Harry W. and Iva Louise. The Swift family,
formerly from Connecticut, have long occupied an honorable position in
Ulster County, N. Y., having for several generations, been extensive
farmers and bridge builders; the majority of the bridges in the vicinity
of Gardiner having been put up by the present Mr. Swift or his deceased
father. The wife's family name, Bradley, is also prominent in that
county, identified with farming interests.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Mumford have long been members of the Baptist
Church, and their aid and support to the society and Sunday-school have
always counted heavily.
Mr. Mumford is connected with various secret societies; became a
member of Susquehanna Lodge, F. and A. M., in 1866; of the Great Bend
Chapter in 1871, and of the Great Bend Commandery in 1872. When the
lodge of Knights of Honor was organized (1882), at Starrucca, he became
one of its charter members, and was its chief officer during the term of
one year since then. These affiliations he continued to find pleasure
in, and from his various business enterprises takes time to attend their
requirements. A thorough business man, he is never content unless up
and doing; as a certain sequence, is prosperous and happy.
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