Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 24 June 2005

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JONATHAN MUNGER, farmer and teacher; P. O. Ridgeville. The family whose history we now write were of English origin, and the first who reached the American shores was Reuben Munger, who was impressed into the King's service when a young man, and brought to New England, where it is believed he deserted the King's forces, and there continued to live, refusing to yield to the earnest solicitations of his parents to return to England, declaring that he would not live under a government so despotic. He had four sons besides daughters. Two of his sons, Edmond and Jonathan, emigrated to the Miami Valley in the then Northwest Territory, as early as 1799, settling with other New Englanders on a body of land about midway between Lebanon and Dayton, in the south portion of Montgomery County. The road passing through the same received the appellation of Yankee street, which name it retains to this day. Here these two brothers lived to a good old age, and each reared a family. They were men of unswerving patriotism; the former being known as Gen. Munger, while the later inherited a full share of his father's detestation of the Mother Country, enlisted three times in the Provincial army, and was three times honorably discharged. Gen. Edmond Munger received his title in the war of 1812, being elevated to that position in the army, and was in command of the troops at Dayton. Patriotism was a predominant trait with the Munger family. They never lacked the nerve and energy to make that manifest whenever occasion required; their father having, come from under the despotic government of England, his descendants have appreciated the value of liberty and just rights of citizens, and were ever ready with their lives and their property to defend those rights. Gen. Munger continued in command, and to defend these frontiers until the rights of American citizens were fully recognized and peace declared. An incident in Gan. Munger's military life worthy of record, showing that although a General in the army, he was not above any service that needed his attention. The General was in his early life a blacksmith. During the war they used many ox teams, and it was often difficult to get them properly shod by the blacksmiths in those days, so the General sent home for his leather. apron, and he then shod their oxen to his own liking. How many Generals in the army in this day would condescend to shoe oxen or horses? Much might be written in honor of the worthy character of the Munger family, but suffice it to say, their descendants were and are still among the leading citizens of Montgomery and Warren Counties; and in the latter county's history will be found an extended sketch of the family, their lives, character and usefulness. Jonathan Munger had four daughters and one son - Hervey - all now deceased. Hervey was born in Addison

Co., Vt., in 1790; he married in 1812, and died in 1859. His wife Catharine, was the daughter of Daniel Gray, of New Jersey; she was born in 1791, and emigrated to the Miami country with her parents in 1809. She died in 1836. She was of small stature, and much esteemed for her social nature, and it used to be said, "that wherever Katie Munger was, there was sure to be good company. " They were parents of fourteen children; five now survive Jonathan, James H., Samuel C., Susan Eliza (now Mrs. Carmany), and Martha A. (now Mrs. Anson). Jonathan Munger, the eldest child of his father, and the subject of this sketch, was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Nov. 11, 1812; was raised and grew to manhood in Warren County; was married Jan. 6, 1838, to Miss Hannah, daughter of Peter and Mary Taylor, he a native of Virginia and she of Pennsylvania, who became settlers of Montgomery Co., in 1830, and soon after of Warren County, where they lived till their death; he died in Waynesville in the fall of 1870, aged 85 years; she died April 11, 1863, aged 84 years. They had two sons and three daughters; four now survive - Hannah, Sidwell, Lewis (who resides in Iowa) and Lydia Ann. Mr. Munger and wife have had five children; two now survive-Matilda (now Mrs. R. M. Duke) and Alonzo. Corwin died in infancy; Lewis and Milo, the other children deceased, died in their country's service, in the late war of the rebellion; Lewis enlisted in California in the 2d Mass. Cavalry, it being thus designated by agreement between the Govenor [sic] of Massachusetts and the authorities of California; he served faithfully in this cavalry, till his death at the battle of Five Forks, Va.; there while reconnoitering, his horse came running into camp with the saddle turned, and as he was never seen or heard of afterward, it was quite certain he was shot by the rebels. Milo enlisted in the 79th O. V. I., in which he served till his death in the hospital at Gallatin, Tenn., Dec. 18, 1862, aged 19 years and 6 days. Thus again was exhibited the true patriotism of the Munger family; descendants of the old ancestor, who left the tyranny of his native country, and who with his sons fought in the Provincial army, for the first establishment of this glorious Union; and again, in its protection in 1812; and last, but not least, these noble sons of our subject possessing the true patriotism of their ancestors, sacrificed their lives to protect and make more free these glorious United States. Lewis enlisted as a private, and arose to the command of his company. Although it was a great sacrifice for Mr. Munger to give up these noble sons, yet their memories will be embalmed on the pages of history, and their laurels shall shine forth with those of their ancestors, through ages to come and reaching beyond the confines of time, their characters and noble deeds shall shine still brighter on the shores of immortality. Our subject while young obtained a good education, and entered upon the arduous but noble professiod [sic] of teaching; this profession he has followed principally through life, some in Iowa, but principally in this county. His last service was performed in 1876, in the Buckeye School, Clear Creek Township. His labors have extended over a period of forty-three years; and during this remarkable length of service; he has been permitted to teach the grandchildren of some of his first pupils, which is probably a circumstance that has rarely happened with any of our educators. This long period of labor of Mr. Munger, as a teacher, speaks for itself, and he needs no eulogy; for no one of ordinary ability and success would have been thus long employed, and a greater part of the time in the same county. Who can estimate the great and important results upon the immortal minds of the great number of pupils who have been under his instructions during forty-three years of teaching? It can only be known and measured by the great Teacher of the universe, who will reveal the results at the last great day. Mr. Munger was President of the Teachers Association of Warren County for several years, was a Justice of the Peace for