ORRIN B. MUNN, one of the earliest settlers of Stephenson County and the pioneer insurance man of this part of the State, has also been fond of country life and agricultural pursuits, and at one time was considerably interested in stock-raising. He is now retired from active labor, and is passing his later years in one of the handsomest homes in Freeport.

Mr. Munn was born in Madrid, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 16, 1817. His grandfather, Daniel Munn, was a Captain in the Revolutionary army, under the direct command of Ethan Allen, of historic fame. He took part in the capture of Ft. Ticonderoga and went through the war without serious injury, and afterward settled in Connecticut. The Munn family is of Welsh extraction. The father of our subject, Abel Munn, was born in Connecticut, and when a boy removed to Vermont, where he grew to manhood and was married to Miss Susanna Barnum, daughter of Deacon Stephen Barnum. The parents of our subject after their marriage removed to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and settled on a farm, where the latter was born and grew to manhood. Abel Munn served in the War of 1812, and was in the battle of Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain. The parental household included four sons and four daughters, who, with the exception of one daughter, Calista, grew to mature years. The latter died at the age of seventeen. Abel Munn with his family came to this county in 1848, and located in Freeport, where he spent his last years, his death taking place in 1855, and that of the mother in 1873. The latter was in the eighty-second year of her age.

Our subject pursued his early studies in the village school during the winter, and in summer made himself useful at home. During his childhood days he was much of the time with his grandfather, Deacon Barnum. He preceded his father’s family to this county seven years, coming in 1841. He entered Lancaster Township with a cash capital of $184, part of which he applied on a claim for which he was to pay $90 in work. He then entered the land at the land-office at Dixon. He made his purchase of O. H. Wright, for whom he worked the first winter and then rented another tract of land of Mr. W., where he commenced tilling the soil and upon which he provided a shelter for his prospective family. Mr. Munn was married, Jan. 9, 1845, to Miss Ellen W., daughter of John VanDyke, who had removed from Union County, Pa., with his family in 1843. Mr. Munn first met his wife at a 4th of July celebration, where she was one of five young ladies who took part in the proceedings of the day. The young people at once settled upon the land which our subject had secured possession of, and which is still in the family.

Mr. Munn, during the first few years after his marriage, experienced with his brother pioneers the usual difficulties attendant upon life in a new settlement, with a market many miles away and transportation effected only by horses and ox-teams. Wheat then sold for twenty-five cents per bushel, and other farm produce in proportion. Money was scarce and the crops were prepared for market in the most laborious manner. In due time, however, the country slowly settled up, the value of land increased, and the advent of a railroad lessened to a great extent the labors of the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Munn continued on their first homestead until 1868, when they removed to the present family residence, which embraces thirteen acres and lies just outside of the city limits of Freeport. The dwelling is a commodious brick structure, two stories in height, and the ample grounds surrounding it have an abundance of choice shade and fruit trees.

Mr. Munn commenced his operations as an insurance agent about 1848, and had the lead of this business in and around Freeport and the counties adjoining Stephenson. After his removal he became Adjustor for the American Insurance Company, of Chicago, and was employed in the settlement of most of its claims in Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin, for a period of four years. He is now retired from active business, upon a competency, and surrounded by his many friends, is taking life in an easy and sensible manner. He became the father of three sons and one daughter, namely, Joseph O., Charles H., Edgar W., and Mary E., the wife of Dr. C. W. Leigh, of Chicago.

Mr. Munn was one of the organizers of the First Presbyterian Church of Freeport, the society being formed in 1842, and since 1860 he has been an Elder. He served as Assessor of Lancaster Township three terms and was Road Commissioner nine years. He has been the friend of education and progress, and was one of the most lively encouragers of the free school system, serving as Director for many years. In the spring of 1887 he was elected Trustee, which office he still holds. He first identified himself in politics as an old-line Whig, but since the dissolution of that party he has affiliated with the Republicans. His life has been characterized by habits of strict temperance, the result of which we now see in his healthy and happy old age, he being now in his seventy-first year. Mrs. Munn also enjoys good health, and has been in all respect the suitable companion and helpmeet of her husband. She is a native of Union County, Pa., and was the fifth in a family of ten children, the offspring of John and Margaret (Adams) VanDyke. She is also a member of the Presbyterian Church, with which she became connected when a little girl.

As one of the representative old settlers of Stephenson County, we take pleasure in presenting a lithographic likeness of Mr. Munn in connection with this brief sketch of his busy and useful life.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. 1888