LOYAL L. MUNN, capitalist, and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of the State of Illinois, was born on the 1st of September, 1829, in the village of Madrid, Lawrence Co., N. Y. His parents were Abel and Susannah (Barnum) Munn. The father was born in Massachusetts and passed his youth in Adams County, Vt. He was a Captain under Ethan Allen and was the third man to enter Ticonderoga at the surrender of the English.

The subject of this sketch was the recipient of a common-school education. In 1846 he removed to Freeport, Ill, in order to join an elder brother, and there was occupied in working on a farm in summer, and attending school in winter. In 1849 he attended for a year the sessions of a neighboring select school. In 1849-50 he taught school in the northern part of Stephenson County, and in the course of the latter year established himself in business in Freeport, representing several New York insurance companies for the States of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana. In 1853 he organized the first insurance company in Freeport, called the Stephenson Insurance Company, of which he became Secretary, continuing to act in that capacity until 1865, when he resigned on account of continual ill-health. In 1866 he established a dry-goods business in partnership with his brother, under the style of O.V. & L. L. Munn. This business, subsequently made entirely his own by the purchase of his brother’s interest, he disposed of in1869. In 1871 he bought a half interest in the Freeport Gas Light and Coke Company, which business he still carries on. In 1862 he became interested in real-estate operations and built the block known as Munn’s Building. In 1857 the American Insurance Company was organized in Freeport, and he was closely connected with its organization. He was appointed to its Presidency in 1867 and officiated in that capacity until 1870, when the company removed to Chicago and he became one of its Directors. He is a man of great resources and unusual energy, and is widely and favorably known as an enterprising and indefatigable initiator of movements which have invariably met with great success. He was married in 1857 to Miss Lenora Lott, formerly a resident of Ogle County, Ill. In 1861 he was again married, to Mary Louisa Hardy, of Haverhill, N. H.

Mr. Munn united with the Masonic fraternity at an early age, being made a Master Mason in Excelsior Lodge No. 97, at Freeport, Oct. 27, 1853. He received the Capitular Degrees in Freeport Chapter No. 23, being exalted therein June 27, 1856; and in the month of March, 1857, he was created a Knight Templar in Janesville Commandery No. 2, of Wisconsin. He united with the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in April, 1864, and June 18, 1870, was raised to the grade of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, or 33d Degree. He has served in official stations all the time and in all places, we think, for no one of his fellow craftsmen or Royal brethren can remember when he was not on hand, ready and willing to do his part and the part of anyone who was absent. As Worshipful Master, High Priest, Thrice Illustrious Master, Eminent Commander and First Officer of the respective bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he has been an able and efficient worker. As Grand High Priest and Grand Commander he was a wise and skillful executive officer. As President of the order of High Priesthood in Illinois since 1867 he stands unequaled as a dispenser of the beauties of that rank. As Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Illinois Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons for several years past he has made an enviable record. In all these stations he has been genial and courteous.

Among the many prominent citizens of Northern Illinois who are distinguished for their personal qualities and high moral worth none is worthier of a place in this portrait gallery than Loyal L. Munn, and we take pleasure in presenting a full-page picture of him on a preceding page.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888)