By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com

Details in a recently found obituary of a Bluffton man who died 125 years ago could be one of the most incredible discoveries in the community’s history.

There’s no historic marker at the entrance to town and the person in this story is buried in an unmarked Maple Grove Cemetery grave, listed as old lot number 120. 

Would you believe Bluffton was a stop on the underground railroad moving African American slaves to Canada? That fact came to light  with the discovery of the obituary or Peter K. Mumma, who died here in 1898.

Mumma’s secret was well-kept as his obituary reads, from a June 1898, Bluffton News.

In a search for his Bluffton residence, an 1880 map shows Elizabeth Mumaugh (sic) owner of Bluffton lot 19, on Riley Street directly south of where Little Riley joins Big Riley Creek. An adjoining property, lot 12, owned by Elizabeth Mumaugh and Wilhelmina Eaton is on the north side of Riley Street, and today is intersected by Spring Street. Peter’s obituary lists his wife’s name as Elizabeth.

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The Bluffton News humbly states his participation in this noble cause with these words: His home became a notorious hiding place of slaves who had escaped from their masters and were seeking freedom in Ohio. 

His obituary from the June 16, 1898, Bluffton News follows: 

Peter K. Mumma died Tuesday June 7, 1898, at his home in Bluffton, his death being due in a large part to the enfeeblement of old age. Funeral services were held at the Church of Christ on Thursday afternoon, Rev. Mayer officiating. 

The complete story is found HERE.