MUNN, Daniel E. 1818-1904

MUNN, HANER, BAKER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 12/13/2016 at 19:23:23

Judge D. E. Munn

Account of the Life of a Grundy County Pioneer

Daniel Elisha Munn, the last survivor of his father's family, was born March 27, 1818, in the city of Troy, N.Y., and died at his home at Morrison, Iowa, Aug. 15, being 86 years, 4 months and 19 days of age. He was the third of four children. His father lived to be 105 years of age and retained perfect health until his death. When the son, Daniel Munn, was eighteen years old he entered a woolen factory as laborer. As time passed he became Superintendent of the factory and continued in that capacity for several years. He remained in the employ of this company for over twenty years.

During this time he was married to Miss Sarah Haner. Three children, Charles, deceased, Sarah, wife of N. P. Jensen and Hattie, wife of J. F. Richmond, were born to this union. In 1860 Mr. Munn moved with his family to Iowa, locating at Grundy Center where he opened the first store in the county, which was also the only store in the county for five years. At that time there were only six or seven houses in Grundy Center. Six children were enrolled in the Grundy Center school--three of them being his.

In the early days he lost his wife and son at about the same time. Later he was married to Miss Minerva Baker, who was one of the first teachers in Grundy Center. She has shared his home for over forty years and was always a faithful and loving wife to him.

Seven years after his coming to Iowa he turned his attention to the farm and nursery business, establishing the first nursery in this part of Iowa.

In Politics he first voted for William Henry Harrison and later for Benjamin Harrison and has ever been a strong supporter of republican principles. He was chosen Judge of Grundy county which position he held for seven years. He was one of five men who bought forty acres where the village of Morrison now stands and was one of the company who incorporated the town Sept. 4, 1877. During his lifetime he has seen the results of the development of many great inventions. He rode on the first railroad train in the United States. He has witnessed in Grundy county the change from prairies of waving wild grass to the present condition of a country rich in thriving farms and flourishing towns. Ardent in his nature, firm in his convictions and temperate in his habits he was a marked man.

His wife, two daughters and four grandchildren, Mrs. G. C. Shimer, Pearl, Daniel and Fannie Richmond mourn his death.

His funeral was held on Wednesday, Aug. 17th, at 2 p.m. in the Presbyterian church in Morrison conducted by Rev. H. B. Dye of Grundy Center.

The house was filled with his many old acquaintances and friends. About the casket and platform was a rich profusion of cut flowers and set pieces. One was a wreath with the words "Grandfather" inwrought, contributed by the grandchildren. A pillow of white pansies, a broken wheel and cross provided by the friends in town, especially deserve mention.

Much interest was added to the service by the excellent singing by the male quartette, composed of Messrs. A. Galt, E. P. Bieber, Alex Mitchell and Dr. A. J. Furnham of Reinbeck. Miss Marie Jensen presided at the organ.

A long procession followed the remains to the Grundy Center cemetery where they were laid to rest by the side of his first wife and son.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 25 August 1904, pg 1