Many years have come and gone since Orlando Canfield Munroe was called to his final rest, but the result of his labors is still manifest, as he was for many years a most progressive and energetic agriculturist and succeeded in transforming a large tract of land in Mount Pleasant Township into rich and productive fields. He was born in Bennington, Vermont. December 12, 1818, and was in the seventieth year of his age when he passed away in this County on the 9th of June, 1888. He had obtained a common school education in the east and in 1845 came to the west, after which he was continuously connected with the farming interests of Racine County.
It was in 1844, at Shaftsbury, Vermont, that. Mr. Munroe was united in marriage to Miss Thalia Lavina Buck and he brought her as a bride to the west in 1845. They became the parents of ten children: Lugene Adelaide Phelps, who died leaving seven children; Harriet Juelma Foster, who passed away leaving four children: Frances Anna, who is a widow and lives in Racine; Llewellyn, who died December 26. 1851; Thalia Lavina; Mary Piccadilly : Fred William, who is married and has one child; Ellen Emily Ellarson, who is deceased and left one child ; Alice Marie, who married and has one child, and Will Lee, who is married and has three children. Mrs. Munroe died in November, 1906.
Following his arrival in this County Mr. Munroe purchased three hundred and fifty acres of land and afterward added to his holdings until he had altogether four hundred and eighty acres, of which four hundred was in Mount Pleasant Township. Upon that tract he resided until his death, devoting his time and energies to farming, and his labors brought to him deserved success, his farm presenting a most attractive appearance following the spring planting when summer suns had brought forth the harvests. In addition to tilling the soil Mr. Munroe engaged in the raising of blooded horses and sheep and was a very successful man, becoming one of the most prosperous citizens of his community.
In public affairs Mr. Munroe was also deeply and helpfully interested and on many occasions he was called upon to serve the public in some capacity of trust and honor. He always voted with the Republican Party and upon that ticket was twice elected to the general assembly in Madison, being called to the office in 1861 and again in 1863. He was chairman of the County board of supervisors and was a member of the town board for a number of years. In fact he held nearly all of the town and County offices and for a considerable period was a member of the school board. He attended the Freewill Baptist church and the sterling traits of his character found their root in his Christian faith. For forty-three years he continued his residence in this County, during which period he gained a wide acquaintance, enjoying in substantial measure the confidence and goodwill of all who knew him.