PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM
MUSCTINE COUNTY, IOWA
1889 EDITION



Presidents of the United States

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 432

JOHN H. MUNROE, attorney-at-law, and real-estate, loan and insurance agent, of Muscatine Iowa, was born at Quincey, Ill., Feb.12, 1840, and is the son of Thaddeus and Ann ( Bross ) Munroe. His father was born at Lexington, Mass., and was of Scottish descent. His mother was born in Jersey City, N. J., and was descended from German ancestry. Mr. Munroe Sr. resided with his family in New York City, where he engaged in the manufacture of pianos until his factory was destroyed by the great firs of 1837.He then emigrated to Quincy, Illinois, where he made his home the remainder of his life. His death occurred at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife died in the same city in 1870.

John left his parental home at the age of eight years, and came to Muscatine, Iowa, to live with his sister, Mrs. Hunt, wife of T. G. F. Hunt, one of the earliest settlers of Muscatine, and who here engaged in the mercantile business for many years, but now resides in Illinois, his home being only a few miles from the city of Quincy. Our subject was educated in the city schools, and in 1855, when fifteen years of age, began clerking in the drug store of Dr. C. O. Waters, where he spent the succeeding six years. In September, 1861, he responded to his country's call for troops, and enlisted for the late war as a private in Company H, 11th Iowa Infantry. On the fifth of June, 1863, he was promoted to the Second Lieutenancy of Company B of the same regiment, and was detailed to serve as aid-de-camp on the staff of Gen. J. B. McPherson, commanding the 17th Army Corps. On the 25th of the same month he was promoted by President Lincoln Assistant Adjutant General of United States Volunteers, with rank of Captain, and was assigned to duty at the headquarters of the 17th Army Corps. In the month of November, 1863, our subject was sent to Cairo, Ill., as Post Adjutant, and continued on duty there until March, 1864, when he was assigned to the staff of Gen. McPherson, then commanding the Army of Tennessee, and accompanied him on the Atlanta campaign until the General was killed, July 22, 1864. Capt. Munroe continued at the headquarters of the Army of Tennessee under Gen. John Logan and Gen. O. O. Howard until Jan. 5, 1865, when he resigned and returned home, having served three years and four months, in which time he participated in many hard-fought battles and skirmishes. He took part in the battles of Shiloh, siege and battle of Corinth, Iuka, Holly Springs, the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, and escaped without serious injury.

On his return home from the war Capt. Munroe began the study of law with Hon. Thomas Hanna, a prominent attorney of Muscatine, and while pursuing his legal studies he accepted the appointment of Deputy United States Revenue Collector, and served during the years 1866 and 1867. He was admitted to the bar in 1867, and the same year was elected City Recorder, an office to which he was re-elected, and which he held four years in succession. He began practice in Muscatine in 1867, and pursued it as opportunity offered while in discharge of official duty. In 1871 he was appointed Deputy Clerk of the District Court, in which capacity he served two years. He was then elected to the office of Clerk of the District Court, was re-elected and served five terms, which period, added to his service as Deputy, gave him twelve years of service in that office, terminating on the 1st of January, 1883. Mr. Munroe then went to Kansas City, Mo., and engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, but finding the occupation too confining and his health becoming impaired, he sold out and returned to Muscatine. In August of that year he formed a partnership with T. D. Smith in the law loan, insurance and collection business, which connection he has continued for five years.

At Muscatine, Iowa on the 23d of December, 1862, while home on furlough during his service in the army, Mr. Munroe was united in marriage with Miss Addie M. Gordon, who was born in this city, and is a daughter of William Gordon, one of the earliest settlers of Muscatine County. Mr. and Mrs. Munroe are the parents of four children : William G., the eldest, born Aug. 30, 1864, married Miss Carrie H. Dolsen in 1887, and is in business with his father ; Charles F., born March 14, 1867, died Oct. 30, 1886, aged nineteen years ; Frederick B., born March 12, 1869, is employed in his father's office ; and Agnes K., born Dec. 28, 1883.

Mr. Munroe cast his first vote with the Republicans, and has continued to support the policy of that party continuously since. Socially, he is a member of Muscatine Lodge No. 99, A.O.U.W., and of Shelby Norman Post No. 231, G.A.R. As a citizen he stands deservedly high, and has ever been found true to every trust, both public and private. His military record is such as to entitle him to rank as a gallant and patriotic soldier, who served with distinction through several of the hardest fought campaigns of the late war.


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