This article was published
in
History of Snohomish County, Volume II
Pioneer History Publishing Co., Chicago, 1926
Joshua Mummey
One of the old and highly respected citizens of Snohomish county is Joshua Mummey, who has passed the meridian of his life and is now living quietly in his comfortable home near Sultan, spending the sunset years of his life in well-earned leisure. Mr. Mummey is a native of Noble county, Ohio, born in 1850, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Dillon) Mummey, both of whom also were natives of Ohio, of which state the father's family were pioneers. Our subject's parents moved from Ohio to Iowa, where the father was engaged in farming until about 1894, when they came to Snohomish county, making their home at Sultan, and where they spent their remaining years, both being buried in the cemetery at that place.
Joshua Mummey accompanied his parents on their removal to eastern Iowa in 1855, and secured his educational training in the public schools of that locality. He remained there until 1874, when he went to the western part of that state, where he engaged in farming and in teaming at the coal mines. He was on of the pioneers of that section and remained there until about 1886, when he came to Oregon, locating in Union county, where he ran a dairy for a short time. He head learned the trade of house building, and on leaving Oregon he came to Seattle, where for about two years he was engaged in that line of work. He then came to Sultan, Snohomish county, which town he helped to found, and here he did a good deal of building, among the structures erected by him being the Methodist Episcopal church, the first religious edifice in the town. He gave the lot for the church and also donated a good deal of labor in its building. While here, he bought a small homestead from Nick Cannon. In 1897, before the Klondike rush, he went to Alaska, being a pioneer in locality where he located, and made five separate trips to that territory. He located mines and found some good "pay dirt."
In 1902 Mr. Mummey sold his interest there and returned to Ballard, Washington, where he built a fine house. He remained there for some time, erecting houses, and during this period he and his wife made a trip by horse and wagon to San Diego, California, and return, traveling leisurely and hunting and fishing as they desired - a most delightful journey. He then located on a ten acre ranch on the highway between Seattle and Everett, where he remained fourteen years, or until the place was destroyed by fire in the spring of 1924, when Mrs. Mummey was killed and Mr. Mummey seriously injured by the robbers who committed the double crime. He had created a beautiful home there, erecting an attractive house, surrounded by a well kept lawn, while two fish ponds were created and stocked with trout. After recovering from his injuries, Mr. Mummey spent some time recuperating in the open, fishing and hunting, and then, in the spring of 1926, he bought the place where he now lives, putting up a small but comfortable home and garage, and now puts in his spare time making "witch-hazel" furniture.
Mr. Mummey was twice married - first, in eastern Iowa, to Miss Sarah a. Draper, who was born in New York state, and who died in 1905. She was a daughter of Henry and Emily Draper, the latter of whom died when Mrs. Mummey was a small girl. To Mr. and Mrs. Mummey were born four children, namely: George Elmer, a contractor at Seattle, who is married and has four children, all of whom are married; Mrs. Minnie B. Anderson, of Alberta, Canada, who is the mother of two daughters, both married; Mrs. Matie Gustin, who died in Snohomish in 1907, and Mrs. Katie M. Hale of Everett, who has two children. In 1906, in Ballard, Mr. Mummey was married to Mrs. Laura Taylor, nee Gardiner, whose tragic death occurred in 1924. Mr. Mummey served as justice of the peace to years at Ballard and also served two years in the same office at Sultan. He has for many years been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has at time filled the pulpit. He is a man of kindly and tolerant disposition, generous in his support of all worthy causes, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.
* * *
Notes: The Alaska journeys are supported by the name "J. Mummey"
appearing on the passenger list of the 120' sternwheeler 'Clifford Sifton' on
its inbound trip on 13 Aug 1899.