Charles E Muench

MUENCH

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/13/2010 at 17:21:01

After a long life devoted to agricultural labors Charles E Muench now lives in Pilot Mound in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence. He was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1844, and is a son of Jacob D and Solma (Myers) Muench, natives of Dauphin county. Although the father was a shoemaker by trade, the gave his attention mostly to farming and followed that occupation in Pennsylvania until his death in 1845. His widow survived him until 1884.
Charles E Muench was reared and educated in Dauphin county and remained with his mother on the home farm until he reached his majority. He then engaged independently in agricultural pursuits, remaining in Pennsylvania for six years. However, he did not attain the desired success and perceiving the opportunities of the middle west, decided to remove there. When he left he had just enough means to take him to Illinois. There he arrived in 1871 and farmed for eight years. He then came to Boone county, Iowa, where he rented the John L good farm for one year and then bought 80 acres in Grant township, applying himself to the cultivation of this tract. Prosperity was the outcome of his close application here. He subsequently was able to acquire an adjoining 120 acres and later added 40 acres, so that his farm comprised 240 acres. He always followed the most modern and improved methods and brought is land to a high state of cultivation. His buildings were kept in good repair, and the latest equipment and machinery could be found upon his farm. As time passed on his fortune increased and in 1902 he was able to retire and moved to Pilot Mound, where he bought a handsome home on 2 acres of land. He has recently acquired another residence adjoining the one which is him home and which also is surrounded by 2 acres of ground.
On March 13, 1864, Mr Muench was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Schreffler, a daughter of Harry and Catherine (Saltzer) Schreffler, who were born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. The father followed farming in his native state, where he died in 1854, his widow surviving him until 1864. Mrs Muench was born in Dauphin county, April 3, 1845. She bore her husband ten children, as follows: Ida, Harry, Mary, Catherine, Charles, who died in 1901, George, Garfield, Edna, Della and Rose. Mr Muench served for fifteen years as trustee of Grant township and always gave his support to progressive measures while a resident thereof. After coming to Pilot Mound he was elected mayor of the town and served as executive for two years. He is a stockholder in the farmers Elevator Company of Pilot Mound and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has been a member of forty-six years. His religious faith is that of the German Reformed church, and politically he is a republican. He stand high in the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens and well merit’s the confidence which is placed in him.

1914 Boone County History Book