Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and Biographical Record of Northern Michigan Record Pub. Co., Chicago; 1895 -153- COL. EMORY W. MUENSCHER has made his home in Manistee for the past nine years, and has been for three years of this time City Engineer. Nearly the whole of his mature life has been devoted to civil engineering. For two years he was assistant engineer on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, having his headquarters and Grand Rapids, and was City Engineer of that place for seven years. He won his title by meritorious and gallant service dur- ing the late War of the Rebellion, and has always taken great interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, having been Commander of James F. McGinley Post No. 201, of this city, for two years. He belongs to the American Society of Civil Engineers, and for two years has been President of the Michigan Engineering Society. Except in the line of his profession, he has never sought official position. In 1885 he was Surveyor of Kent County, but on his removal to this place he was obligted to tender his resignation on that account, and in 1892 was elected to a similar position in Manistee County. The parents of Colonel MUENSCHER were Rev. JOSEPH and RUTH (WASHBURN) MUENSCHER. The father, who was a native of Rhode Island, born in 1798, died in Mr. Vernon, Ohio, at the age of eighty-five years. The mother was a native of Massachusetts, having been born in 1802, and died in the same town as did her husband and only a few weeks after his demise. He was of German descent, while ------------------------------------------------------------------ -154- his wife was of English ancestry. A man of noble character and true worth, he was a life-long minister of the Episcopal Church. To himself and wife were born seven children, only three of whom are still living. CHARLES H. is a merchant of Sandusky, Ohio. The daughter who survived is Mrs. W. A. YOUNG, of Montgomery County, Ill. Dr. R. PERCY MUENSCHER was Assistant Surgeon of the Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry, and died while still in the service, at Helena, Ark., in 1863. Another son, JOSEPH W., died of cholera in 1849, while nursing a friend, who also died of that dread disease. The birth of Colonel MUENSCHER occurred at Fall River, Mass., February 6, 1834. In 1850 he graduated from the classical depart- ment of Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, and later was enrolled as a student in the scientific department of Union College at Schenectady, N.Y., from which he was graduated in 1856. For the next five years his time was employed in teaching, and in further improvement of his mind by private study. On the first call for defenders of the Union, young MUENSCHER enlisted and was appointed as Sergeant of Company B, of th Fourth Ohio Infantry. Before his term of service had expired he was commissioned First Lieutenant of the Thirtieth Regiment, which was enlisted for three years. In August, 1862, the young lieutenant was promoted to the rank of Captain. In January, 1865, he became Lieutenant-Colonel. The first year of his army life was in West Virginia, under Generals ROSECRANS and COX. After MacCLELLAN'S defeat he was transferred to eastern Virginia to assist POPE, but was soon returned to the former branch of the service, and from there went to Vicksburg, there remaining until after it was captured. He had the honor of commanding the troops that opened the battle of Missionary Ridge, and had charge of his regiment on the march to the sea, being then in the Fifteenth Army Corps, once commanded by General LOGAN. Notwithstanding the fact that the Colonel's service was always of the most aggressive kind, and constantly at the front of battle, he was never wounded but once, and that time during the engagement at Antietam. Among many other battles in which he took part were the following: South Mountain, Antietam, second battle of Bull Run, two assaults on Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Ezra Church, Jonesboro and Ft. McAllister. The date of his first enlistment was April 20, 1861, and he was mustered out about five months after the expiration of his term of service in Savannah, Ga., in January, 1865, having remained with his regiment up to this time. After the surrender of Vicksburg Colonel MUENSCHER obtained a leave of absence, and at Gambier, Ohio, was married, August 22, 1863, to Miss SARAH E. JOHNSON, a native of New York City. Two daughters have been born to the Colonel and wife, the eldest of whom, Miss JOSIE L., is a graduate of the State Normal School of Ypsilanti, Mich., and also of the Manistee High School. LULAH R., who graduated from the city high school, is a student in the Conservatory of Music at Ypsilanti. The family are regular attendants at the services of the Congregational Church. In his political views our subject is somewhat independent, though he has affiliated with the Democratic party since 1872, and is in favor of low tariffs. In times of peace and war alike, he has ever held the good of his fellows nearer to his heart than his own private advancement, and merits the confidence and respect which are freely accorded him by all. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Manistee County, Michigan by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/mi/manistee/bio/ ===========================================================================