Mumpford Holland 1808-1916

HOLLAND

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 7/13/2003 at 14:37:05

OLDEST MAN IN STATE IS DEAD

Mumpford Holland of Grinnell
Dies at the Ripe Old Age of 108 Years.

He was born in Slavery, 1808

Served in Mexican War as Servant
And as a Soldier in the Civil
War. Came Here Years Ago
____________________

Mumpford Holland is dead. He died Friday evening, July 28, 1916, at 6:45. Mumpford Holland was a colored man and from the facts that have been learned he was about 108 years of age and probably the oldest man in the state of Iowa.

Mumpford Holland was born a slave near Princeton, Kentucky. The exact date of his birth is not known as he had no official record, but as nearly as can be figured out by old acquaintances he was born about the year 1808.

His first master was the owner of a tannery by the name of William Bush. He, with other slaves was sold many times and saw many hardships. He was a servant of an army officer during the Mexican war. Later during the civil war he enlisted and served as a cook in the Union army. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Davenport. In 1870 or 1871 Hon. Geo. M. Christian brought him to Grinnell where he worked for him in the old Grinnell House for many, many years.

All these years he has made Grinnell his home. He has been an industrious and honest citizen. He bought property in South Grinnell and lived in his own home many years prior to his death. He was converted and joined the Salvation Army early in the eighties and was a faithful member of that organization and has lived a Christian life ever since. He was respected by all who knew him. He was a patient sufferer for more than a year and died in the triumph of the living faith. He had no family, being sold from his wife in slavery.

The funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon in the Uncle Sam club house, conducted by Rev. E. W. Cross and Rev. John Lucas, an old friend and former citizen of Grinnell, but now of Buxton. The club house was filled with people and a great many could not obtain seats. A token of respect that was due this faithful old man whom all Grinnell knew so well. Grinnell Register. ~ The Colfax Clipper, August 8, 1916.