MUNCH, HENRY

MUNCH, TROTTMANN, LIMBERGER, ENGLER, MARINDA

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 12/10/2003 at 16:48:23

Biography reproduced from page 502 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:

Henry Munch is a native of Germany, born March 17, 1840. He lived in Germany thirteen years when he came to America and located in Astoria, N. Y., where he lived two years. He then removed to Grant Co., Wis., where he remained until 1861. He enlisted in company E, 9th Wisconsin regiment, and served two years. He was taken prisoner at Newtonia, Mo., and remained a prisoner till November, 1862, when he was paroled and afterward discharged in March, 1863. He re-enlisted in company H, 44th Wisconsin regiment, and served till June, 1865. Returning to Wisconsin he engaged in hotel business for one year in Cassville. At the close of the year he removed to Benton Co., Iowa, and was in the grocery business for three years. Removing to Luzerne, Iowa, he remained until 1869 when he removed to Emmetsburg, Iowa, where he remained until coming to Whittemore. In 1869 he was united in marriage with Mary B. Trottman, of Grant Co., Wis. Five children blessed this union—Susie K., Frederick E., John H., Sadie and George E. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and while at Emmetsburg was chairman of the board of supervisors and was also one of the first aldermen of that place.
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Biography reproduced from page 162 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Henry Munch, whose demise occurred in August, 1891, is still remembered by many of the older residents of Kossuth county as a successful merchant and respected citizen of Whittemore. He erected the first store building in that town and conducted a mercantile establishment during the entire period of his residence there. His birth occurred in Germany on the 17th of March, 1840, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth Munch, who were likewise natives of that country. The father, who was a horse dealer in Germany, emigrated to the United States in 1853, locating in Wisconsin, where he purchased a tract of land which he cultivated for a number of years. Putting aside the active work of the fields, he took up his abode in Cassville and there lived for some time in honorable retirement. Subsequently he removed to Emmetsburg, Iowa, where his demise occurred in 1889, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1892.

Henry Munch spent the first thirteen years of his life in the land of his nativity and in 1853 accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. When twenty-four years of age he rented his father’s farm, devoting his attention to its operation for two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Cassville, Wisconsin, where for a short time he was engaged in the hotel business. Subsequently he purchased a farm five miles north of Cassville, being actively engaged in its operation for two years. Disposing of the property, he came to Iowa and eventually bought a farm in Benton county, which he cultivated for two years. At the end of that time he sold the place and took up his abode in Luzerne, Iowa, where he worked in an elevator for a time. He next removed to Palo Alto county, purchased a homestead and devoted his time and energies to its operation for two years. This venture proved unprofitable, however, for the grasshoppers destroyed his crop the first year, and the second year his property was laid waste by a prairie fire and grasshoppers. Abandoning agricultural pursuits, he went to Emmetsburg and opened a general store, in the conduct of which he was actively engaged for five years. On the expiration of that period he sold out to a brother-in-law and came to Whittemore, Kossuth county, Iowa, here also embarking in the mercantile business. He erected the first store building in Whittemore and continued in business as a general merchant throughout the remainder of his life, being accorded a liberal and gratifying patronage. Though always handicapped by impaired health, he won and maintained an enviable reputation as a substantial and representative citizen of this county.

On February 25, 1864, Mr. Munch was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary B. Trottmann, a daughter of John and Mary B. (Limberger) Trottmann, both of whom were natives of France. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, owned a fine farm near Cassville, Wisconsin, which he operated until his death in October, 1897, when he had attained the age of seventy-nine years. The mother was called to her final rest in February, 1880. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Munch were born nine children, as follows: Susanna, who is the widow of Edward M. Engler and conducts a grocery and restaurant in Whittemore; John, who is a resident of Whittemore, Iowa; Fred E., living in Spokane, Washington; Lasetta, who is the wife of Arthur Marinda; George E., of Whittemore; LeRoy C., a druggist of Dubuque, Iowa; and three sons who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Munch was a stanch republican, while his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His widow belongs to the Yeomen and also to the Methodist Episcopal Mite Society. She owns her home as well as other residence property. The period of her residence in Whittemore covers about a half century and she has gained many warm friends here.