MUNRO, Ralph H. 1879 – 1951

MUNRO, PIERSON, GILLY, NICHOLS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 2/28/2011 at 19:16:11

“The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger”
Tuesday, August 28, 1951
Page 1, Column 4

RALPH MUNRO, VETERAN CITY OFFICIAL, DEAD

Ralph H. MUNRO, attorney in Fairfield for nearly a half century and former city attorney for 26 years, passed away shortly after noon today at the Burlington hospital where he had been a patient since June.

He had been in failing health for several months prior to that time and had been a patient at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Besides his long term as city attorney, MUNRO had served Fairfield and his community in many other offices. He was a former mayor of Fairfield, served three terms as county attorney and served several years as a member of the Jefferson county insane commission.

He was well known in legal circles throughout Iowa and surrounding states for his success in trying cases before the Iowa supreme court.

MUNRO graduated from Washington academy in 1898 and from the University of Michigan law school in 1903. The same year he was admitted to the Michigan state bar and later started his law practice in Iowa.

He was elected to his first public office in 1917 when he was named mayor of Fairfield. After serving a two-year term he was elected county attorney for two terms, from 1919 to 1923, and was again elected to that office in 1930 for another two-year session. In 1923 he was named a member of the Jefferson county insane commission board.

He probably was best known to Fairfield residents for his long and successful career as city attorney. He was named to that post for the first time in 1927 and he held the position until April of this year when ill health brought an end to his long span of community service.

He was admitted to practice in the federal circuit and district courts in Iowa in 1911. In 1935 he was admitted to practice in the U. S. circuit court of appeals at St. Paul, and in 1921 was admitted to practice in the U. S. supreme court.

MUNRO served as a member of the Iowa National Guard in 1904 and 1906. He was a member of the Iowa State Bar association, A. F. and A. M. and the Congregational church.

Ralph H. MUNRO was born December 13, 1879, in Washington county, Ia., the son of the late David R. and Mary A. PIERSON MUNRO. He was united in marriage on June 26, 1912, to Flora M. GILLY who survives. The wedding took place in Fairfield.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mary Roberta and Dorothy Ione.

The body was brought to the Hoskins funeral home where last rites are pending.

A special request has been made that there be no callers at the MUNRO residence, because of illness.

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“The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger”
Wednesday, August 29, 1951
Page 8, Column 4

MUNRO RITES ON THURSDAY

Last rites for Ralph H. MUNRO, well known Fairfield attorney who passed away yesterday, will be Thursday afternoon.

The service will be at 2 p.m. at the Hoskins funeral home with A. K. Harper officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

MUNRO, an attorney in Fairfield for 48 years, passed away at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Burlington hospital where he had been a patient since June.

Besides his wife, MUNRO is survived by two daughters, Mary Roberta and Dorothy Ione NICHOLS of Chicago. He is also survived by a grandchild, Allen Christopher NICHOLS; and a sister, Olive MUNRO, West Chester, Ia.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, William Stephen who died nine months ago at Iowa City; and John Howard and Arch J., who passed away several years ago.

The former mayor of Fairfield was born Dec. 13, 1879, at West Chester, Ia., the son of the late David R. and Mary A. PIERSON MUNRO. He was united in marriage on June 26, 1912, to Flora M. GILLY. The wedding took place in Fairfield.

Besides serving as mayor of Fairfield, MUNRO also served as county attorney for three years, and as city attorney for 26 years and also served as a member of the Jefferson county insane commission board.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Wife Flora died in 1954, and they are buried in Lot 3rd.038½.