Eben Mumford was born in Ohio and received a B.S. degree from Buchtel College (later became Akron College) and then received his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Chicago in 1906. Mumford began working with Michigan Agricultural College in 1912 when he was the state leader of the County Agricultural Agents in Michigan for the MSU Cooperative Extension. He held that position until 1921. The following year he began teaching agricultural economics, which he did for two years. In 1924, Mumford helped organize the Department of Sociology which he taught in and was named head of the department. Another major contribution during Mumford’s career was helping to form the Michigan State Farm Bureau along with the American Farm Bureau Federation. Mumford retired on September 1, 1938 and passed away on October 17, 1942.