Robert M. Pummell
Perseverance and sterling worth are almost sure to win conspicuous recognition in all lines of endeavor and the gentleman to whom the reader's attention is now called is one who is succeeding admirably in his chosen field. Robert Pummell, one of the most systematic and up-to-date farmers of this section, began his business career when twenty years old by renting a tract of land for farming purposes, thus making his beginning right at the bottom of the ladder of success. Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort have brought him to his present gratifying degree of success, while his undoubted integrity and genuine friendliness have won the esteem of all who know him.
Robert Pummell. who is superintendent and manager of the Humphrey Jones estate of five hundred and ten acres of excellent farming lands, was born in Ross county, this state, on May 2, 1875, and is, therefore, one of the younger successful men of this section. He is the son of Andrew and Zenette (Mercer) Pummell and at the time of the subject's birth the family was living near the town of Bainbridge. Andrew, the subject's father, was also born in Ross county, where he passed many years, but is now a prominent farmer of Mercer county. He was a Union soldier during the Civil War. having enlisted at Sabina, this state. The subject's mother is the daughter of William and Mary (Welch) Mercer and was born in Ireland. Her parents came here in their earlier lives, bringing what children they then had, the balance of them being born in this country. In all they were the parents of sixteen children, an unusually large family, and Mrs. Andrew Pummell enjoys the distinction of having had seven brothers in the Civil War, all of whom returned to their homes after the cessation of hostilities.
The subject is one of a family of ten children, large families seeming to predominate with his people. His paternal grandfather was the father of thirteen children. The subject's brothers and sisters are as follows: Anna, Jennie, Effie, Harvey, the subject, is the fifth child in order of birth, Margaret, Myrtle (deceased), William. Carrie and Mabel. Mabel has been dead for many years and is buried at Sabina. When a boy, Mr. Pummell attended the Hulet school in Highland county and from his earliest boyhood was instructed by his father most carefully in all that goes to make the successful farmer and stock raiser. As above stated, he started out in life for himself at the age of twenty years and has met with good success from the first, occasionally encountering some reverses, as will all business men, but he has never allowed them to wholly discourage him. In managing the work of his present place, he has four men assistants and a number of good horses. Mr. Pummell considers the raising of live stock more lucrative than general farming and for that reason the crops are so planned that there will be enough grain produced to feed the largest number of animals possible to maintain on the place. Mr. Pummell first came here in 1908 and since that time has come to be considered one of the leading men of the community.
Mr. Pummell was married on November 17, 1895, to Minnie Oliver, of Clinton county, daughter of William and Anna (Reynolds) Oliver, and to their home have come an interesting family of seven children. Lora, Lula, Homer, Robert and Wesley are attending school, while the youngest two, Delbert and Lucy, are still under school age. Into the minds and hearts of these children both parents are trying to instill the best principles of good citizenship, so that when they come to manhood and womanhood they may be able to fill useful places in the world.
Mr. Pummell gives his loyal support to the Republican party and is actively interested in its local affairs. He is the present trustee of his township, having been elected to the office over six other candidates. a most pleasing tribute to his popularity and popular trust and confidence in him. His religious membership he holds in the Methodist Episcopal church and his life is ordered in accordance with the teachings of that society. His fraternal affiliation is with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, Odd fellows and Modern Woodmen of America, and in the work of the different societies he takes more than a passive interest. All considered, Mr. Pummell is truly a man among men, generous-hearted, broad-minded and of undoubted honor and integrity. His infiuence for the general uplift of community life is marked and in the elements of good citizenship he is all that a man should be. Because of his genuine worth and high personal character he enjoys a well-deserved popularity throughout the country.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)