- DEACON ANDRUS MUNGER is one of the representative men of
Union Township, and
- resides on section 21. He is a native of Genesee County,
N.Y., born Nov. 10, 1824, and his parents, Elam and Eunice (ANDRUS)
MUNGER, were natives of Massachusetts. The father followed the
occupation of farming, and in 1808, shortly after his marriage,
removed to New York, settling on the Holland Purchase, where
he bought 110 acres of land, and in the midst of the forest developed
a farm, making it his home until his death. That farm is still
in possession of a member of the MUNGER family. The children
born on the old homestead were: Abigail, who was born in 1812,
and died when quite young; Cyrus, who was born in 1814, and died
in 1886; Lucy, who was born in 1816, became the wife of Chancey
GODFREY, and both are now deceased. They had one son, Loran,
who enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment, and was killed during
the service while all of the family have now passed away, with
the exception of Mrs. HOYT; Waldo, who was born in 1819, and
is now living on the old homestead, wedded Esther NICHOLS, and
to them were born two children, Frank, and Cynthia, who wedded
a Mr. McRAY, and died, leaving two daughters; Eunice, who was
born in 1820, became the wife of a Mr. LINDSAY, and both are
now deceased; Fowler, born in 1822, is a resident of New York;
Andrus is the next in order of birth; Annis, born in 1827, died
in 1857; Wise, born in 1829, died in early childhood; Lavisa,
who was born in 1831, died in infancy; Darius, born in 1834,
is a mechanic, and resides in Varysburg, N.Y. The father of this
family died in Genesee County, N.Y., on the 2d of December, 1867,
and his wife departed this life Aug. 6, 1862. Both were devoted
members of the Baptist Church, and were highly respected by all
who knew them.
- The subject of this sketch received his education in his
native county, and was reared to manhood
- upon his father's farm. Remaining under the parental roof
until the age of twenty-four years, he then began learning the
trade of a carpenter and joiner, and for some time engaged in
contracting and building for a livelihood. On the 6th of August,
1851, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice HODGES, a native
of Wyoming County, N.Y., and a daughter of Oliver and Abigail
(CHAMBERLAIN) HODGES. Their union was blessed with a family of
six children, but of that number only three are now living; Myrta,
wife of Charles HULL, a resident farmer of Wilson County, Kan.;
Roy, born Dec. 23, 1870, in Rock County; and Thedie, who was
born Aug. 15, 1873, and is now attending school. Those deceased
are Rosa, Lillian, and one child who died in infancy. The members
of the family to which Mrs. MUNGER belonged who are yet living
are: Marietta, now Mrs. SCOVILLE, of Attica, N.Y.; Gerry, who
is living in Batavia, Genesee Co., N.Y.; and Leonard, a resident
of Western Minnesota.
- Shortly after marriage, Mr. MUNGER and his young bride removed
to Attica, N.Y., where he
- engaged in carpentering and building until 1853, when he
became a resident of Green County, Wis. For fifteen years he
made his home in that county, when, in 1868, he came to Rock
County, where he has since resided. Turning his attention to
farming, he purchased 130 acres of partly improved land on section
21, Union Township, where he has since continued to reside. He
immediately began the further development of his lands, and has
made many fine improvements, placing his farm on a par with any
in the county. In connection with agricultural pursuits, for
many years he continued to work at his trade, and has built many
of the best buildings in this vicinity. He is one of the self-made
men of Rock County, having by his own efforts of industry and
economy became one of the well-to-do citizens, notwithstanding
the fact that he began life in limited circumstances. In politics
he is a supporter of the Republican party, and his wife is a
great worker in the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Both
Mr. and Mrs. MUNGER are members of the Baptist Church, in which
he holds the office of Deacon, while he is known as Deacon MUNGER
throughout the county. His labors in behalf of the temperance
cause and the church are unceasing. He gives liberally of his
time and means to the advancement of the church interests, is
always found in the foremost rank in all moral and religious
enterprises, and has been a faithful worker in his Master's vineyard
for many years. His spotless character and unquestioned integrity
have won him the confidence and respect of all, and he is held
in the highest esteem wherever known.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 250-253.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|