Munsch, Christian

MUNSCH, LUKSAN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer
Date: 8/11/2010 at 10:46:49

Plymouth County History by Freeman Vol. II, 1917
Pages 711-712

Christian Munsch.
Among the many citizens of the great state of Iowa, who were born in foreign countries and who have come to the United States, where they have entered into the spirit of our free institutions, established homes and engaged in the various vocations, may be mentioned Christian Munsch, a native of Prussia, Germany, where he was born on December 17, 1846, and now a prosperous farmer of Liberty township, Plymouth county, Iowa. His parents were Christian and Mary Munsch, who were of the highly respected farming class in their native land, where they lived and died.

Christian Munsch received his education in the public and parochial schools of his native land and, as a lad, assisted his father with the work on the farm. After having served two years in the army, he decided to come to the United States. On his arrival in this country he came direct to Dubuque, Iowa, but after a time, started with a team of oxen, for Plymouth county. There was a large party of German settlers that made this overland journey with Mr. Munsch to Johnson township. In the part was Christ Miller, for whom Mr. Munsch worked for some time. In 1873 he homesteaded eighty acres of wild land in section 30, Liberty township. Here he built a small frame shanty and devoted a part of his time to the development of his place. During the first two years he devoted much of his time to butchering and working as a farm hand for others. In 1874, he succeeded in breaking some of his land and planted a little sod corn. His first farming was done with oxen, but in time he had horses and was able to engage more extensively in his chosen work.

In 1875, Mr. Munsch was united in marriage to Josephine Lukasan (sic Luksan), a native of Bohemia. For some time after his marriage, Mr. Munsch worked in Sioux City, but in 1876 removed to the farm, where he and his wife lived in the little shanty that he built when he took his homestead, and in this house they continued to live until they built their present substantial home. A beautiful grove was planted and good farm buildings were erected, the splendid barn having been built in 1907. As he prospered, Mr. Munsch purchased another eighty acres in section 29, and he is today actively engaged in the operation of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He practices mixed farming and has a large number of cattle and hogs.

Christian and Josephine Munsch are the parents of eight children, Ed, John, William, Albert, Mary, Minnie, Josie, and Elizabeth. They are devout members of the Catholic church and have reared their children in that faith. Mr. Munsch has always taken an active interest in local affairs, and has served his township as trustee and as a member of the school board, being today recognized as one of the prominent and influential men of the county.