Midwifery in the Bush

"The following interesting incident of pioneer life is told of the early settlers, in connection with Mrs. MUMFORD. This lady, it is said was enciente and near the period of confinement early in the Summer of 1843. There was no physician nearer than Dubuque, but Mrs. KIBBEE, the wife of Lucius Kibbee, who lived near Rockville, Delaware County, about forty miles away, was an experienced midwife. Mrs. Kibbee was summoned to preside on the interesting occasion soon to occur. She came, But Mrs. Mumford dallied, and after waiting two weeks, Mrs. Kibbee could remain no longer - she must go home - but proposed that her patient should go home with her and there await the logic of events. There was no other alternative unless Mrs. Mumford wished to be alone in her coming trial, and she assented, and the two women started to go to Delaware County in a covered wagon, with Major Mumford for conductor and driver. Arriving in the vicinity of Hinkle's Grove, near the present site of York, in the northern part of Township 90, R. 5, Delaware County, near nightfall, the critical moment arrived, the wagon stopped, and the child was born. The weather was pleasant, and the little party remained with the little stranger in the brush all night, and the next day reached Eads' Settlement. Homer's nativity was claimed by seven cities, and in this case it is a debatable question whether Mrs. Mumford's baby belonged to Fayette or Delaware. Had she remained at home one day longer, her child would have been born in Fayette, and would have been, without doubt, the first white child born in the county.

The Mumfords removed to Wisconsin at an early day, probably in 1844-45."