See Ferdinand's Children's Index
Ferdinand Mumme, the second son of Ludwig and Marie Mumme, was born August 8, 1840 in Herzogthum, Braunschweig, Germany. The family left Germany when Ferdinand was nine years old and settled in Medina County, Texas.
Ferdinand became a convert to God at the age of 16. At the first encampment in Soldie Camp held, not too far from Vandenberg, he joined the Southerly Bishoply Method Church at the age of 17 years. In this congregation which is called New Fountain today, he received his license in 1862 as local pastor.
During the years, the Rev. Ferdinand Mumme and his family had twenty-one different charges during their ministerial journey. They moved from place to place in ox-carts, wagons, horseback, buggies, and trains, living on a salary some years as low as $90.; however they felt that God would in some way provide for them which He would in some way do before the year was out.
After being superannuated by the Methodist Church, Rev. Ferdinand and his wife made their home in Kenedy in 1910. He preached at the Ellison Ranch until he was 80 years old. He delivered his last sermon at the annual conference at San Antonio in Travis Park Methodist Church where he was superannuated. Mrs. Ferdinand Mumme and many family members heard his last sermon and the bishop, shortly after his sermon, had the congregation sing Rev. Ferdinand's favorite song - "Nearer My God to Thee." He made this sermon in 1920 at the age of 80 and two years. Later, on Oct. 25, 1922, he died and was buried at Kenedy, Texas.
Otelia Sasse was born April 28, 1844 to Heinrich and Dorothy Sasse. this family lived in Germany in the city of Fredericksburg about 15 miles from Berlin. For many years Heinrich went back and forth to work in a coach drawn by two horses. He wore a cap and had a cape thrown back about his shoulders.
Heinrich and his family lived in a lovely three-story brick home surrounded by beautiful cherry orchard and flower gardens. A valley could be seen in the distance. About 12 tenants lived in smaller homes near the large house. There was also a raspberry orchard.
One house-keeper was in service for 30 years. The kitchen had a cement floor.
When Otelia was a child of six, her mother put her in school under a fine teacher. There she learned reading, writing and arithmetic. She left school in 1865, at the age of 12, when the family came to America.
Because of more threats of war with France, even though Heinrich was offered a Captaincy of the German Armies, he resigned and moved with his faimly to America.
The family was on board ship six weeks and had a fine trip. They met many nice people and had plenty to eat. They landed at Indianola and then moved to Yorktown where they purchased cattle and several hundred acres of land and started farming.
The first night at Yorktown, after everything was in order, Heinrich sat in the yard and looked up at the sky and said, "Now do not be afraid but we are going to have a war here in the United States." Soon after this, the Civil War broke out. Otelia's four brothers, Henry, Fritz, Louis, and Karl all went to war and returned.
With her marriage to Rev. Ferdinand Mumme, Otelia served in God's work. She died in Kenedy, Jan. 3, 1944, after living the last ten years of her life with her son, Bennie.
The children of Ferdinand Mumme and Otelia Sasse were:
Louis Carl Mumme - born Jun. 19, 1865 - married Agnes Korth
Carl Theodore - born Feb. 16, 1867 - married Christine Schweers
Otto Frederick - born Jan. 20, 1871 - married Emma Karbach
Hugo - drowned when nine years old.
Janella Otilla - born Aug. 19, 1877 - died 1880.
Annie Alvine - born Nov. 19, 1880 - married Charles Frederick Reinhardt.
Benjamin (Bennie) George - born Jan. 23, 1888 - married Hedwig Juenger
Eddie - born Feb. 2, 1891 - died as an infant.
See Ferdinand's Children's Index