Individual Details
Eugene P. "Gene" Mumford
(1 Apr 1863 - )
HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA
EUGENE P. MUMFORD. — He whose name introduces this review is not only one of the progressive and representative business men of Gage county, but is also a descendant of one of the well known and influential pioneer families of this part of the state. The name of Mumford is prominently linked with the early history and industrial development of Gage county, where its original representatives settled in territorial days. Eugene is upholding the honors of the family name, and his business life has given impetus to industrial and civic advancement in Gage county. By reason of his being reared and educated on the broad prairies of Nebraska, with fresh air and sunny skies, and under the freedom of pioneer days, he learned the first principles of good citizenship from early experiences on the farm, and he has kept pace with the march of development and progress.
"Gene," the name by which he is generally known, was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, on the 1st day of April, 1863. He is a son of John B. and Mary A. (Roach) Mumford, the former of whom was born in Maryland, of English parentage, on September 20, 1829, and the latter of whom was born
in Adams county, Ohio, of Holland and English lineage.
John B. Mumford first came to Gage county, Nebraska, in May, 1860, in company with his brother Ismay, who was the first county treasurer of the county, and whose son Dawson Mumford was the first white boy born in the county. John B. Mumford returned to Wisconsin, and in 1865 he again
came to Gage county, with his brother Jacob. He settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land, ten miles north of Beatrice on Bear creek, one of the best farming localities in the county. To this in later years he added by the purchase of two hundred and forty acres, making his estate one of four hundred acres. On his farm he continued to reside during the remainder of his life.
Mr. Mumford was an enterprising citizen and had much to do with the development of the county, and it may be said of him that he continued to contribute his quota to the county's progress until his death, February 14, 1904. His widow, now (1918) eighty years of age, still resides in Gage county, having moved to Beatrice after the death of her husband, and is one of the venerable and revered pioneers of the county, she being among the very few of the original settlers left.
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mumford, six survive: Sarah E. is the wife of William A. Foreman, who was a successful farmer and is the owner of a good farm of four hundred acres, located six miles northeast of Beatrice. They have now retired and live in Beatrice. Charles B. is noted for his love of fine horses and has owned many good ones. Of late years he has been engaged in the automobile business at Beatrice. Eugene P. was the next in order of birth. Ida N. is the wife of Lawrence W. Epard, and they reside upon the old homestead of her father, adjoining the old home place, John B. Mumford having relinquished the homestead in the early days to his sister. Frank W. is still living in the old home where he was born. He is also an extensive live-stock shipper. Luther E., former principal of the Beatrice high school, is now living in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is engaged in school work.
The late John B. Mumford took a decided interest in political and public affairs, and was always a Democrat. He did much to advance the party but never consented to be a candidate for office. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his venerable widow is a member of the Christian church.
Eugene P. Mumford was about two years old at the time the family moved to Gage county. He profited by the advantages of the country school and later attended the Blake Select School of Beatrice, but never completed the regular course of study. He has devoted much time to reading, and had the good fortune of having association and friendship with such pioneer characters as J. B. Weston, George P. Marvin, Judge Alfred Hazlett, R. S. Bibb, and D. W. Cook, for all of whom he had much respect and who contributed much to his fund of useful information. He is a Democrat politically, as were his ancestors "from the time the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." He belonged to the old school known as "gold" Democrats, and was opposed to free silver during the campaign on that issue. He was a student of Adam Smith on finance and believed in a commodity basis for value. He has done much, with the assistance of his brother Frank, to build up the ranks of the party and has been twice recognized for loyalty. He was appointed revenue collector for the southeast division of Nebraska during President Cleveland's administration, and although he filed his resignation at the end of four years, he was retained two years under President McKinley, owing to his familiarity with the service, and to the exigencies of the Spanish-American war. He was selected by Governor John H. Morehead as private secretary to that able executive during his several terms as governor of Nebraska. Mr. Mumford is now engaged in business at Beatrice. His reputation for absolute reliability in all transactions and his wide acquaintanceship and knowledge of affairs have established for him a good business in the real estate and insurance enterprise, including the rental of properties, of which he has farm and city property to look after. He also has a furniture store, which he conducts with the assistance of his nephew, C. D. Mumford.
On the 22d of June, 1898, Mr. Mumford was united in marriage to Lenda Mostert, who was born near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and came to Nebraska in 1878, when seven years of age. Mrs. Mumford is of German lineage, her people coming from Bavaria. She was studious during her school days and in 1888 was graduated with honor in the Beatrice high school. For ten years thereafter she was an instructor in the Beatrice schools. Mrs. Mumford has always been active in school affairs, and is held in high regard by her many friends and associates. She is a member of the Trinity Lutheran church and has taken an active part in the work of that organization. She is at the present time treasurer of the Young Women's Christian Association and is now serving her third term. Mr. and Mrs. Mumford are the parents of one son, Paul E., who was graduated at the Beatrice high school in the class of 1918.
EUGENE P. MUMFORD. — He whose name introduces this review is not only one of the progressive and representative business men of Gage county, but is also a descendant of one of the well known and influential pioneer families of this part of the state. The name of Mumford is prominently linked with the early history and industrial development of Gage county, where its original representatives settled in territorial days. Eugene is upholding the honors of the family name, and his business life has given impetus to industrial and civic advancement in Gage county. By reason of his being reared and educated on the broad prairies of Nebraska, with fresh air and sunny skies, and under the freedom of pioneer days, he learned the first principles of good citizenship from early experiences on the farm, and he has kept pace with the march of development and progress.
"Gene," the name by which he is generally known, was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, on the 1st day of April, 1863. He is a son of John B. and Mary A. (Roach) Mumford, the former of whom was born in Maryland, of English parentage, on September 20, 1829, and the latter of whom was born
in Adams county, Ohio, of Holland and English lineage.
John B. Mumford first came to Gage county, Nebraska, in May, 1860, in company with his brother Ismay, who was the first county treasurer of the county, and whose son Dawson Mumford was the first white boy born in the county. John B. Mumford returned to Wisconsin, and in 1865 he again
came to Gage county, with his brother Jacob. He settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land, ten miles north of Beatrice on Bear creek, one of the best farming localities in the county. To this in later years he added by the purchase of two hundred and forty acres, making his estate one of four hundred acres. On his farm he continued to reside during the remainder of his life.
Mr. Mumford was an enterprising citizen and had much to do with the development of the county, and it may be said of him that he continued to contribute his quota to the county's progress until his death, February 14, 1904. His widow, now (1918) eighty years of age, still resides in Gage county, having moved to Beatrice after the death of her husband, and is one of the venerable and revered pioneers of the county, she being among the very few of the original settlers left.
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mumford, six survive: Sarah E. is the wife of William A. Foreman, who was a successful farmer and is the owner of a good farm of four hundred acres, located six miles northeast of Beatrice. They have now retired and live in Beatrice. Charles B. is noted for his love of fine horses and has owned many good ones. Of late years he has been engaged in the automobile business at Beatrice. Eugene P. was the next in order of birth. Ida N. is the wife of Lawrence W. Epard, and they reside upon the old homestead of her father, adjoining the old home place, John B. Mumford having relinquished the homestead in the early days to his sister. Frank W. is still living in the old home where he was born. He is also an extensive live-stock shipper. Luther E., former principal of the Beatrice high school, is now living in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is engaged in school work.
The late John B. Mumford took a decided interest in political and public affairs, and was always a Democrat. He did much to advance the party but never consented to be a candidate for office. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his venerable widow is a member of the Christian church.
Eugene P. Mumford was about two years old at the time the family moved to Gage county. He profited by the advantages of the country school and later attended the Blake Select School of Beatrice, but never completed the regular course of study. He has devoted much time to reading, and had the good fortune of having association and friendship with such pioneer characters as J. B. Weston, George P. Marvin, Judge Alfred Hazlett, R. S. Bibb, and D. W. Cook, for all of whom he had much respect and who contributed much to his fund of useful information. He is a Democrat politically, as were his ancestors "from the time the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." He belonged to the old school known as "gold" Democrats, and was opposed to free silver during the campaign on that issue. He was a student of Adam Smith on finance and believed in a commodity basis for value. He has done much, with the assistance of his brother Frank, to build up the ranks of the party and has been twice recognized for loyalty. He was appointed revenue collector for the southeast division of Nebraska during President Cleveland's administration, and although he filed his resignation at the end of four years, he was retained two years under President McKinley, owing to his familiarity with the service, and to the exigencies of the Spanish-American war. He was selected by Governor John H. Morehead as private secretary to that able executive during his several terms as governor of Nebraska. Mr. Mumford is now engaged in business at Beatrice. His reputation for absolute reliability in all transactions and his wide acquaintanceship and knowledge of affairs have established for him a good business in the real estate and insurance enterprise, including the rental of properties, of which he has farm and city property to look after. He also has a furniture store, which he conducts with the assistance of his nephew, C. D. Mumford.
On the 22d of June, 1898, Mr. Mumford was united in marriage to Lenda Mostert, who was born near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and came to Nebraska in 1878, when seven years of age. Mrs. Mumford is of German lineage, her people coming from Bavaria. She was studious during her school days and in 1888 was graduated with honor in the Beatrice high school. For ten years thereafter she was an instructor in the Beatrice schools. Mrs. Mumford has always been active in school affairs, and is held in high regard by her many friends and associates. She is a member of the Trinity Lutheran church and has taken an active part in the work of that organization. She is at the present time treasurer of the Young Women's Christian Association and is now serving her third term. Mr. and Mrs. Mumford are the parents of one son, Paul E., who was graduated at the Beatrice high school in the class of 1918.
Events
| Birth | 1 Apr 1863 | Lafayette County, Wisconsin | |||
| Marriage | 22 Jun 1898 | Nebraska - Linda P. Mostert |
Families
| Spouse | Linda P. Mostert (1871 - ) |
| Child | Paul E. Mumford (1899 - ) |
| Father | John B. Mumford (1829 - 1904) |
| Mother | Mary Ann Roush (1837 - 1927) |
| Sibling | Sarah E. Mumford (1855 - ) |
| Sibling | Charles B. Mumford (1858 - ) |
| Sibling | Ida Nevada Mumford (1865 - 1934) |
| Sibling | Frank W. Mumford (1868 - ) |
| Sibling | Luther Emerson Mumford (1875 - 1956) |