Notes:
1870 Census, IL, Ogle Co., Pine Creek Twp., 2nd Sept 1870, household 92, p. 438B
Mumma, John H, 24, farmer, $500 personal property, b. IL
" , Augusta, 23, keeps house, b. IL
" , Elmer, 1, b. IL
" , Elias, 61, retired farmer, $4400 real estate, $1000 personal property, b. MD
" , Elizabeth, 31, b. IL
1880 Census Place: Pine Creek, Ogle, Illinois
Source: FHL Film 1254239 National Archives Film T9-0239 Page 151D
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
John H. MUMMA Self M M W 34 IL
Occ: Farmer Fa: MD Mo: MD
Augusta MUMMA Wife F M W 33 IL
Occ: Keeps House Fa: VT Mo: VT
Elmer MUMMA Son M S W 10 IL
Occ: Works On Farm Fa: IL Mo: IL
Maudie MUMMA Dau F S W 9 IL
Occ: School Fa: IL Mo: IL
Walter MUMMA Son M S W 7 IL
Occ: School Fa: IL Mo: IL
Lula MUMMA Dau F S W 3 IL
Occ: At Home Fa: IL Mo: IL
1900 Census, IL, Ogle Co., Pine Creek Twp., ED 79, Sheet 1B, 2 Jun 1900
Mumma, John H., Head, Apr 1846, 54, married 23 years, b. IL, Fa: MD, Mo: MD, Farmer
" , August E., wife, July 1846, 53, married 23 years, b. VT, Mo: ?, 4 children, 4 living
[His daughter, Lulu May Mumma and her husband, Charles Pyfer are living in the same household]
Plamer, Irving, head, b. 1809, 90, married 66 years, b. VT, Fa: VT, Mo: VT, occ: farmer
" , Semptra, wife, b. 1812, 88, married 66 years, 11 children, 5 living, b. VT
" Frank, son, b. 1855, 45, single, b. IL, occ: farmer
JOHN H. MUMMA-- With the exception of a very brief period spent elsewhere, Mr. MUMMA has always made his home in Ogle County, and throughout active life has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which line of activity he has met with more than ordinary success. After many years of strenuous exertion on his farm in Pine Creek Township, he removed to the village of Grand Detour after having harvested the crop of 1906. December of that year found him in a pleasant home in the town and here he now resides, still living, however, the homestead comprising 160 acres. Besides maintaining a general supervision of his property interests, he acts as treasurer of the Pine Creek Telephone Company and has accomplished much in promotion of his enterprise, as well as in behalf of other movements for the benefit of the county. The history of the MUMMA family shows that they are of Southern lineage, honorably associated with agricultural pursuits in this country for several generations. Elias and Susannah (MILLER) MUMMA, natives of Washington County, Md., after having been reared there to mature years, in 1840 made the then long journey thence to Illinois overland, settling in Ogle County. Immediately after his arrival Elias MUMMA took up claim of 160 acres in Pine Creek Township, which he finally bought from the government at a cost of $ 1.25 per acre. On it he first built a log house, in which he lived until 1858, when he built a brick residence. The land was mostly covered by heavy timber much of which was cleared away by the father. As the years passed, the surrounding lands began to be taken up by other settlers, towns began to grow, schools and churches were established, and the lot of the pioneer became more cheerful and satisfying. But ere long old age came to the parents and the mother passed from earth at the age of sixty years. Later the father left the home and came to Grand Detour, where he died at the age of seventy-six years. In the family of Elias MUMMA there were nine children, all but one of whom attained years of maturity. The youngest of the family, John H., was born April 6, 1846, on the old homestead in Pine Creek Township, and grew to manhood amid the surroundings familiar to his earliest memories. Since coming into possession of the paternal homestead the subject of this sketch has increased its value by clearing more land and other improvements. With the exception of eight months spent in Rockford, he has always remained in Ogle County and since attaining man's estate has followed general farming and stockraising, with the exception of a period devoted to the carpenter's trade. The marriage of John H. MUMMA was solemnized in Pine Creek Township, Ogle County, January 1, 1868, when he was united with Miss Augusta PALMER, daughter of Irving and Sarepta (HADEN) PALMER, both natives of Vermont, the former born in 1809, and the latter in 1811. The parents of Mrs. MUMMA, after their marriage, first settled in Vermont, but during the year 1839 removed to Illinois, settling in Ogle County, where they took up a tract of eighty acres of raw land in Pine Creek Township, which he cleared and otherwise improved, building on it a comfortable frame dwelling. He also owned other land which he disposed of, finally dying on his original homestead of eighty acres, March 6, 1901. At the date of writing this sketch he is survived by his widow, who has attained the age of ninety-six years. They were the parents of six sons and two daughters, Mrs. MUMMA being the sixth in order of birth and a native of Pine Creek Township, born July 26, 1846, and her education was received in local schools. Mr. and Mrs. MUMMA are the parents of four children, namely: ELMER A.; MAUDE E., who is the wife of Warren BURDICK; WALTER A.; and LULU M., Mrs. Charles PYFER. Interested in educational affairs and ever solicitous to promote the interests of his district, Mr. MUMMA filled the office of School Director while living in Pine Creek Township, and his work in that position was received with appreciation. Politically he has been stanch in his support of the Republican party and its candidates. With his wife he holds membership in the United Brethren Church and contributes generously to its support...
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1909 Encyclopedia of Illinois and the History of Ogle County Volume 2, by Munsell publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., page 964-965
[Note: The following interesting article was sent to me by Becky Burdick McLauglin. It was published in the 15 Aug 1929 edition of the Sterling Daily Gazette - Illinois]
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"Piece of Meteor is Curiosity at Burdick Home Plowed up in Early 1860's on Farm of Mrs. Burdick's Father at Grand Detour.
What is generally believed to be a piece of a meteor or falling star is the object of curiosity in the pretty front yard of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Burdick, 814 West Second Street, Rock Falls, Illinois and has attracted the attention of quite a few, especially since the notable falling star of two weeks ago, visible to many here. The meteoric rock has quite a history. It was plowed up in a hilly field on the family farm of J. H. Mumma, four miles north of Grand Detour, some time in the 1860s, so far as can be remembered by Mrs. Burdick, who had heard her father, Mr. Mumma tell of it. Mr. Mumma was born on the farm in 1846 and spent his life there. Originally the farm home was a log house, but later a new house was built. Following this the Mumma family had the rock hauled to the yard and there it was a home curiosity all the years. Last June Mrs. Burdick had the rock brought to the family home in Rock Falls. It was no small job handling the peculiar thing. Four strong men had all they could do to handle it. Now the meteor occupies a commanding position near the concrete lily pool of the Burdick yard. This fragment of falling star, and weighing possibly 500 to 600 pounds, stands about 40 inches high. It is almost pyramid shape. Some called it the 'big cinder' on account of its porous-like appearance. The stone is of a grayish color, similar to that of sun bleached bones of a large skeleton. There are numerous holes throughout the surfaces of the stone, being about three-fourths of an inch in diameter, as perfect as if bored with a drill auger. In feeling, the surface of the stone is somewhat like pumice in its effect. Even greasy fingers rubbed on the stone result in a thorough cleaning, leaving the skin clean and smooth. This stone is unlike any other kind ever seen, also its peculiar shape and structure is taken to indicate the genuineness of its meteoric character. It is one of a very few specimens to be found. Possibly it has never been seen by experts on such a subject, but probably will be, it is thought. Hunts for more stones like it on the old Mumma farm failed to reveal any other rock like it. The land is hilly and rocky but the only other stones which abound are the so called, '……heads'. These are entirely foreign in character to the meteoric stone Mrs Burdick owns. Just when this fragment of 500 pounds fell from the heavens is not known by anyone now living, but Mrs Burdick said she used to hear her father and hisneighbors tell of it. Their idea was the stone fell during a shower early in the nineteenth century, possibly during the one in 1833. Mr. Mumma used to play with the other boys around this strange rock in 1859."