Iroquois County Illinois, Biography of Christ Munstermann Submitted by: (c) Copyright 1999 Elaine Frigone Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Elaine Frigone CHRIST MUNSTERMANN, who owns and operates a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 3, Ash Grove Township, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Iroquois County. He was born in Hanover, on the 5th of August 1838, and is the son of Peter Munstermann, a farmer, who died when our subject was two and a-half years old, The mother bore the maiden name of Dorothy Blome. On the death of Mr. Munstermann she became the wife of Christ Schulenburg, who was also an agriculturist, and spent her entire life in Germany. The members of the family were Henry, a farmer of Ash Grove Township; John, who died in Cook County; Mary, who is yet living in Germany; Dorothy, who is a resident of Cook County; and Christ of this sketch. There is also a daughter born of the second marriage, Sophia, who still lives in her native land. Mr. Munstermann whose name heads this record acquired his education in public schools, which he attended between the ages of seven and fifteen years. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, and after attaining his majority was united in marriage with Miss Minna Haben, who was born in the same locality as her husband. Wishing to try his fortune in the New World, in 1869 he bade good-bye to the Fatherland and with his family crossed the briny deep from Hamburg to New York. He was eleven days on the water. On reaching this country he went to Chicago and made a location in Homewood, Cook County, where he and his wife both worked on a farm. He witnessed the famous Chicago fire in 1871. In 1873, Mr. Munstermann came to Iroquois County, and with the capital he had acquired through his industry and perservance he purchased forty acres of land in Crescent Township. Subsequently he sold that farm, and on section 3, Ash Grove Township, bought eighty acres of wild prairie, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. His industrious efforts and his well- directed labors have transformed it into one of the finest farms of the community. He has paid out $1,500. for draining and has made many other
excellent improvements, both useful and ornamental. Since he first purchase he has extended the boundaries of his farm until he now has two hundred and forty acres. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Munstermann have been born two children: Matilda, who was born in Cook County, January 28, 1872, is now the wife of Henry Salmon, of Ash Grove Township. The younger child, Henry, born November 4, 1877, still aids his father in the operation of the home farm. The parents are both members of the Lutheran Church and Mr. Munstermann has contributed liberally to its support and aided largely in its upbuilding. He is now Treasurer of the Church of St. Paul. The Republican party finds in him a stalwart supporter, he having been identified with that body since he cast his first presidential vote for R. B. Hayes. His success in life is all due to his own efforts, and he may well serve to encourage others who like himself have to begin life at the bottom of the ladder and work their way upward. He now has a comfortable competence and is ranked among the highly respected and substantial citizens of the community. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Elaine A. Frigone in Allyn, WA EEFrigone@aol.com