Notes:
Photograph contributed by Ray F. Mumma
Data source is Jane Weidman, 6009 Queenston, Springfield VA 22152
Data source is a letter from Warren M. Mumma who was living in Florida in 2001
Data source is Ray F. Mumma, e-mail raypennymumma@embarqmail.com
In the 1900 census, they are living in Bluffton, enumerated under the surname of MUMA. All children are listed with birth month and year. She lists 5 children, 5 living.
1900 Census OH, Allen Co., Richland Twp., Bluffton Village, ED 24
Mumma, Joseph M., head, May 1844, 56, m. 16 yrs, b. OH/PA/PA carpenter
" , Euphemia, wife, Jan 1853, 47, m. 16 yrs, 5 children 5 living, b. OH/PA/OH
" , Forest, son, Feb 1884, 16, single, b. OH delivery groceries
" , Budd, son, Oct 1887, 12, single, OH at school
" , Jay M., son, Aug 1889, 10, single, OH, at school
" , Harry E., son, Dec 1891, 8, single, OH
" , Gail B., son, Dec 1893, 6, single, OH
1910 Census OH, Allen Co., Richland Pct, Bluffton Village, ED 44, sheet 3A, p. 206
Mumma, Joseph M., Head, 65, m1 27 yrs, 5 children, 5 living. b. OH / OH / OH, Carpenter - contractor
" , Euphemia J., wife, 57, m1 27 yrs, b. OH / PA / PA, dressmaker
" , Forest E., son, 26, single, b. OH, barber
" , Frank B., son, 23, single, b. OH, poultry
" , Jay M., son, 20, single, b. OH, labor, liveryman
" , Harry E., son, 18, single, b. OH, grocery
" , Gail B., son, 16, single, b. OH
[Note- J.M. Mumma is the enumerator of this census for Bluffton]
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Obituary is from a clipping from "The Bluffton News", no date
Joe M. Mumma
Joe M. Mumma was the oldest native-born resident and for many years fire chief here, he died at his home at 171 North Jackson Street on Tuesday evening at 5 o'clock. Dearth was due to complications from which he had suffered for some time. He was aged eight-seven years, ten months and eleven days.
Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at his late home at 1:30 o'clock followed by services at the Church of Christ at 2 o'clock. Officiating at the services will be Rev. E.J. Penhorwood of Lima, his former paster. Interment will be in Maple Grove.
The death of the aged Bluffton man removes another of the fast vanishing pioneers who linked the present community with that of an earlier day. For many years a figure in the town's public life as Marshal, Mr. Mumma was know to successive generations of Bluffton residents. In addition to his public life he was a carpenter and plied his trade for many years until advancing age abliged him to retire.
Born on a farm west of town and not far from Rockport, May 32, 1844, he came to Bluffton when a small child with his parents, Peter K. and Susanna Mumma. The family resided on Riley Street in the days when the town was know as Shannon and the business center was near the North Main Street bridge.
Those were the days when some remnants of the Shawnee tribe of Indians still lingered in this vicinity and in later years he frequently recalled how, when a lad, he was put astride an Indian pony and taken on jaunts by the friendly red men thru the woods where deer were frequently seen.
When twelve years of age young Mumma was employed as an express rider and riding horseback transporting mail on a route between Bluffton and Findlay by way of Jenera.
It was as Fire Chief, however, that Mumma was best known and identified with the town's public life. For thirty years he held his post as head of the Bluffton Fire Department, relinquishing the position in 1916.
During his regime as Chief, firemen's tournaments became popular thru out the Middle West and the Bluffton Department, headed by Mumma made some notable records in exhibition runs which were features of those gatherings.
He was married to Euphemia Hamilton, residing south of Bluffton and his demise prevents the observance of the Golden Wedding of the couple which was to have been held in the near future. In denominational affiliations he was a consistent member of the Church of Christ for the past forty years.
Surviving are his widow, five sons, Forest and Gail of this place and Budd, Jay and Harry Mumma, all of Toledo. Also surviving are two brothers, Z.T. Mumma of Bluffton and Roy E. K. Mumma of Fort Wayne, Indiana and one sister Mrs. Martha Bowen of Warsaw, Indiana.
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From "Town at the fork of the Riley's", published as a souvenir book of the Centennial of Blufftons Incorportation - 1961. Copy possessed by Ray F. Mumma
The oldest inhabitant of Bluffton who was born in town is Joseph Mumma. He remembers many things of the community in the "40's" (1840's) when hs was a youth. His father emigrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, married in Wayne Co., OH and settled in Richland Township just west of Bluffton.
Mr. Mumma tells of the time when friendly Indians would take him on a pony to their camp, a quarter of a mile away. These Indians were probably part of the Sandusky or Shawnee tribe that later emigrated west to the Mississippi, when these lands became more thickly settled.
At this time woods covered nearly all the land and there abounded plenty of deer, wild cat and other animals. In truth, there was not so much farm land available. Not only did the forest have to be cleared but the marshes had to be drained.
- - - "The Bluffton News, January 20, 1927"- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From "Town at the fork of the Riley's" published as a sourenir book of the Centennial of Bluffton's Incorportion - 1961. Copy possed by Ray F. Mumma
Joseph Mumma, deceased, was one of the first white children born in Bluffton. Mr. Mumma used to tell of the time in the "40's" when friendly Indians would take him on a pony ride to their camp, a quarter of a mile away.
In 1874, thirteen years after Bluffton was incorporated, the first fire department was organized. It was a voluntary organization and was comprised of about a dozen or 15 members of the younger men of the town.
The officers of the department were elected by the members and Dave Franks, the town wagon maker, was given the chief's position, while Joe Mumma, who afterward succeeded him was made assistant chief.
Actually Bluffton has only had four fire chiefs in its history. Mr. Mumma held the post of fire chief continuously for 43 years.
The equipment for fire fighting had to be housed, so a shed was built on the side of the old calaboose, which stood on Washington and Jackson streets on the former Hony Young lot.
The calaboose, it is said, was torn down by Joe Mumma about 78 years ago when the new town hall made the old jail unnecessary and useless. No doubt the building was an eyesore and that historic institution went without a murmur from the citizenry.
The first really big fire in Bluffton history was in 1875 when the Messinger and Bryan livery barn on Cherry street was burned to the ground.
Most of the residents of the town joined the town's crack fire department under Chief Joe Mumma in fighting the blaze with a bucket brigad
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Stopwatch and fob which were used by Fire Chief Joseph M. Mumma in department competitions is in possession of Ray F. Mumma.
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Grandpa Forest E. Mumma and my father Joe F. Mumma both told me that my Greatgrandfather Joseph M. Mumma had played with and visited several indian encampments around Bluffton while he was growing up and that an authentic indian bow was presented to Joseph M. Mumma by an indian brave. Said bow is in the possession of Ray F. Mumma
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Joseph M. Mumma was town marshall for the Village of Bluffton, firearm, 32 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver which was owned by Joseph M. Mumma is now in possession of Ray F. Mumma.Photograph contributed by Ray F. Mumma
Data source is Jane Weidman, 6009 Queenston, Springfield VA 22152
Data source is a letter from Warren M. Mumma - address unknown
Data source is Ray F. Mumma, e-mail raypennymumma@embarqmail.com
In the 1900 census, they are living in Bluffton, enumerated under the surname of MUMA. All children are listed with birth month and year. She lists 5 children, 5 living.
1910 Census, OH, Allen Co., Bluffton Village, p. 206 - Joseph is the census enumerator.
Mumma, Joseph M., Head, 65, m1 27 yrs, 5 children, 5 living. b. OH / OH / OH, Carpenter - contractor
" , Euphemia J., wife, 57, m1 27 yrs, b. OH / PA / PA, dressmaker
" , Forest E., son, 26, single, b. OH, barber
" , Frank B., son, 23, single, b. OH, poultry
" , Jay M., son, 20, single, b. OH, labor, liveryman
" , Harry E., son, 18, single, b. OH, grocery
" , Gail B., son, 16, single, b. OH
