John Munson Biography Contributed by Jan Cortez

John Munson was born in Ulrika, Sweden, May 11, '29. He was the eldest child of Muns and Anna Hanson, and passed his childhood in his native place, with his brothers Nels and August, and his sister Anna. Following the national custom the sons became known as John, Nels and August Munson. Anna afterward married Swen Anderson, and now lives in the township of Claybanks, not far from her brothers, Nels and August, who also made for themselves homes in America, far from the graves of their parents, who are buried near the old home in Sweden. At an early age John Munson began to earn his way in the world, and as he grew older, the desire to seek his fortune in the New World grew stronger, and the summer of his twenty-fifth year marked an epoch in his life. He had now, by dint of hard labor and self-denial accumulated enough to pay his way to America, and in Aug., '54, he reached Chicago. Not meeting with success in the city he soon crossed over to Michigan, where he began work for Mr. Harvey Tower, of Claybanks, getting out shingle bolts. After a short time he left Mr. Tower and performed the same labor for Messrs. Holver and Tolef Brady. In 1855 he bought 40 acres of land in the township of Claybanks, and began setting out shingles and shingle bolts for himself. Disposing of this to his brother Nels, he bought, in 1856, 160 acres in the township of Benona, where he passed the remainder of his life. He immediately began clearing and improving his new purchase. He first built a small log house in which he lived until the new and commodious frame structure now the home of the family was erected in 1864. Nov. 9, 1861, Mr. Munson was married in Benona to Mrs. Frederika Lun Peterson, formerly of Lunberg, Sweden. Mrs. Munson was a daughter of Swen and Christina Lun, and came to Oceana Co., Aug. 30, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Munson labored to improve their surroundings, and to build up a home founded upon mutual love and faith, which but grew the stronger as the years advanced. In 1879 he bought 80 acres more, adjoining his original purchase on the north. Here Mr. Munson toiled away the months and years literally carving his home out of the primeval forest; and as acre after acre was cleared, he began to see the results and enjoy the fruits of his labors, and to gather about him some of the comforts of life. As the crops increased it became necessary to put up buildings in which to store the harvests, and granary, horse barn and hay barn, together with cattle sheds and outbuildings were erected in succession. In the midst of his labors, at a time when the future seemed so full of the realization of his hopes, Mr. Munson was called home. While at work in oat-harvest, he was prostrated by a sunstroke, and after but one week's illness, he died Sept. 4, 1883, in the 55th year of his age. He left a wife, still living at the old homestead in Benona, and eight children to mourn his loss. He was buried from the Scandinavian Church, Claybanks, Sept. 6, 1883, Elder Chic of MOntague, and Rev. Hvid officiating. His children, in order of birth, are Frank A., John C., Sophia M., Nettie J., Osear L., Osear F., Herman O., Mary H. and Edward G. All are living except Osear L., who died Aug. 15, 1873. Sophia M. was married to Rev. Charles Coors, Nov. 27, 1889. Mr. Munson was a self-educated man, of sound judgement, honest, faithful and God-fearing. Quiet and somewhat diffident in manner, he was a man thoroughly liked and respected wherever known. For forty-six years he had been a member of the Lutheran Church, and taught its precepts by his daily walk. A member of no secret order he made his own way, winning all men for his friends. In politics he was a republican, although not given to much fruitless discussion. A kind, indulgent father, and tender, affectionate husband, Mr. Munson was deeply loved by his family, and in dying he not only left his family comfortably well off in this world's goods, but bequeathed them an inheritance of inestimable value, a good name, spotless and above reproach.