Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Munch, Xavier 1823 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 11:56 pm Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 XAVIER MUNCH. Nowhere in the Mississippi Valley can more beautiful farms be found than in the Prairie State, and in no section of it are any more attractive than in Will County. On section 19, Joliet Township, lies a body of land sloping to the south and comprising one hundred and twenty-two productive acres, which, under the hand of a progressive and intelligent farmer produce abundantly. The estate is a home of which any man might well be proud, all the improvements upon it being excellent and including every convenience and proper means of adornment. The owner of this fine estate, although of foreign birth, has spent the greater part of his life in America. The ancestral home of the Munch family was in that section of Europe the possession of which has been a subject of controversy between two of the most powerful nations of the earth,and which is now included in the German Empire. This country—Alsace—was a part of France when Xavier Munch, Sr., was born near Strasburg. He married Cecelia Potter, and after the birth of four sons and three daughters emigrated to America, crossing the ocean in the spring of 1839. During that summer the family lived in Lemont, Ill., and in the fall removed to Joliet, where they made their home about two years. They then returned to Lemont for a short sojourn, but in April, 1842, rented land in Troy Township, Will County, of the late Andrew King. Upon it Mr. Munch resided about two years, when he settled on the farm now occupied by our subject, remaining here until April 18, 1852. He then went to California to engage in mining, but never returned, and it is supposed that he died there. Mrs. Munch breathed her last in Joliet, November 8, 1856. The gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced, is the second child in the parental family, and was born in Alsace, July 31, 1823. He had but fairly entered his teens when the family came to America, and he followed his father in his various removals until 1847. He then enlisted in the regular army and participated in the Mexican War, returning in 1848 to Joliet, and again taking up his residence under the parental roof. There he remained until his marriage, February 9, 1849, to Miss Mary M. Pfleger. He then settled on section 18, Joliet Township, whence five years later he removed to his present home. Not only has he manifested ability in his agricultural career, but has lived an upright life, dealt honorably with his fellow-men, and in every domestic relation has been kindly and considerate. In politics he is independent, but generally votes with the Democrats. Both he and his wife belong to the Catholic Church. The lady, who in the summer of 1849 became the wife of our subject, shared his joys and sorrows until June 22, 1860, when she was called from time to eternity. Like her husband, she was a native of Alsace. Their union resulted in the birth of seven children, named respectively; Matilda, Ferdinand, Daniel, Marion, Lawrence, Elizabeth and Frances. Mr. Munch contracted a second matrimonial alliance in Joliet, choosing as his companion Mrs. Catherine Shaw Freedel, also an Alsatian. She has borne him eight children—Kate, Frank, Rose, Louis, Anthony, Sophia, Celia and Charles. Her former marriage had resulted in the birth of five children, of whom the survivors are: Joseph, Mary, and Alfred Freedel. She is an efficient helpmate, a good neighbor and a devoted mother. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/munch1468nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.2 Kb