WILLIAM R. MUMFORD, one of Elizabeth Township's most substantial and representative citizens, resides in Section 3, his 500-acre farm being reached by the Dayton and Brandt Turnpike road. Mr. Mumford was born in Elizabeth Township , Miami County Ohio, June 7, 1841 and is a son of John and Mary (Crawmer) Mumford. The Grandfather John Mumford, spent his life in Maryland. He married Hannah Knickirict and they had eight children, namely: James, William, George, Richard, Hannah, Betsey, Amanda and John.

Of the above family the youngest son was the father of William R. Munford. In early manhood, following his marriage, he came to Ohio and engaged first in farming near Zanesville and then rented a farm in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, on which he lived until he purchased the one which his son lives, buying 113 acres from John Helvey. He went into the grain growing and stock raising business and became a man of wealth and prominence. Both he and his wife were members of the Universalist Church of Miami City. His death occurred September 16, 1868. He married Mary Crawmer, who died in September, 1862, and they were both interred in the McKendree Church cemetery. They had eight children, as follows: James, John P., William R., Joseph, Matilda, Julia Ann, Mary Jane and Amanda.

William R. Mumford was educated in the schools of Elizabeth Township and Miami City and grew to manhood a farmer under his father's practical training. He continued on the homestead for several years after his marriage and then settled on his present farm, which he lived on until the death of his wife, when he returned home for several years more, subsequently resuming his residence on his own farm. Of his large property about eighty acres lie in Pike Township, and twelve in Bethel Township, but all the rest is in Elizabeth Township and with the exception of twenty- five acres still in timber, all the land is well drained and ready for cultivation. Farm buildings are on different parts of the property, Mr. Rumford finding the erection of one barn being the only necessity. It is a magnificent property and its value is represented by many thousands of dollars.

On November 7, 1868, Mr. Mumford was married to Miss Olivia Schindler, who died September 29, 1876. She was a most estimable lady, a daughter of John and Sarah Schindler. To this marriage were born four children, namely: Irwin, who married Susan Drake, a daughter of Ezra H. Drake, and has one child, Ruth  Eben, who married Luella M. Horn; Viola, who died when aged sixteen years; and Olivia, who died at the age of two and one-half years. In is political sentiments, Mr. Mumford is a Democrat.