Earl W. Munshaw p.334a - Earl W. Munshaw is the popular and successful prosecuting attorney of Kent county, an office to which he was elected in 1924 by a decisive plurality that attested the favor in which he is held by the people of the county. His father, David E. Munshaw, was a cousin of Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat. David E. Munshaw came from Toronto, Canada, to Paris township, Kent county, Michigan, in 1870, and a year or two later he was followed by his three brothers, Simcoe, Lambert, and Columbus. He was a well known and prosperous man of that community. There he married Clara Vandenberg and to them on December 7, 1886 was born Earl W. Munshaw, the subject of this review. He received his elementary education in the district schools of his home community, near Bowen township. He attended high school in Grand Rapids, graduating in 1905. Electing to follow the legal profession, he entered the law school of the University of Michigan, receiving his degree from that institution as a member of the class of 1910. He came to Grand Rapids to enter practice, and after a time spent in that city was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney under Wm. B. Brown, a position which he filled capably for three years. His work as assistant prosecutor was so signal as to attract the attention of the members of his profession in Grand Rapids. With the expiration of his three years in the prosecuting attorney’s office, he formed a law partnership with Homer H. Freeland. In this work he continued two years, his efforts being attended with great success. His training in the prosecutor’s office coupled with his native ability has made him one of the ablest trial lawyers in the city and he has won the respect and admiration of his professional confreres. In 1924 he was elected to the office of the prosecuting attorney of Kent county, a position which he still holds. His integrity and ability as an attorney have brought him an excellent practice that is steadily growing. On September 15, 1908, Mr. Munshaw married Merry E. Morgan, a woman of refinement and strength of character, and thy became the parents of three children: Lynn, Dorothy W. and Jean C., the last of whom died in infancy.

Transcriber: John Miller
Created: 4 March 2003