William R. Mumford. One of the oldest native-born residents of Elizabeth township is William R. Mumford, who has passed his entire life on his present farm. His career from early manhood has been one of honorable achievement and good citizenship and the reputation which he established and the friendships that he made during his early life have stood the test of years. Mr. Mumford was born on his present farm in Elizabeth township, June 7, 1841, a son of John and Mary (Crawmer) Mumford. His father, a native of Maryland, was a young man when he migrated to Miami county, and almost immediately settled in Elizabeth township, where he met and married Miss Crawmer. They rounded out long, honorable and useful lives in the pursuits of agriculture and when they died their community lost two of its most highly respected and beloved people. There were eight children in their family, of whom but two survive: William R., and Mary J., who has never married, and who now lives with her brother on the old home place. The educational training of William R. Mumford was acquired in the public schools of his native locality and his boyhood and youth were devoted to his studies and the work of the home farm. When he reached his majority he adopted farming as his life work, and his entire career has been devoted to the property which he now owns and operates. This consists of 160 acres and is a well-cultivated and productive tract on which Mr. Mumford has made many improvements. In young manhood, Mr. Mumford was united in marriage with Olivia, daughter of John Schindler, a highly regarded agriculturist of Elizabeth township. Mrs. Mumford died September 29, 1876, leaving four children: Irwin, engaged in farming near the home place, who married Susan Drake; Eben, in charge of an agricultural college at Lansing, Mich., who married Luella M. Horn; Viola, who died when sixteen years of age , and Olivia, who died when two and one-half years old. Mr. Mumford has been a good citizen and one who has aided his community in numerous ways. The cause of education has found him a faithful and useful friend, and since he was twenty-one years of age he has served as a member of the local board of school directors. His contributions to war movement funds were generous and his support of local enterprises has been loyal.