William Henry Munroe

1815 - 1902  (87 years)

• Name	William Henry Munroe  [1]
  Born	2 Mar 1815	Monroe Tavern, Lexington, Massachusetts   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Died	28 Aug 1902	Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA
  Buried	Mt. Auburn Cem., Lexington, Massachusetts
  Person ID	I8691	Munro
  Last Modified	27 May 2001

  
  

  Father	Jonas Munroe,   b. 11 Jun 1778, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA ,   d. 2 Jul 1860, Somerville, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA  (Age 82 years)
  Mother	Abigail Cook Smith,   b. 29 Jun 1792,   d. 4 Apr 1861, Lexington, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, USA  (Age 68 years)
  Married	17 Mar 1814  [1]
  Family ID	F3261	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  William was born at the Monroe Tavern in Lexington, Massachusetts William was educated in the public schools of Lexington and at the Academy. When he was quite a young man, he went out to that part of the "Western Reserve" now know as Ohio in the interest of his uncle, Edward Munroe, who had large enterprises there. He made the journey by canal boat, stage and on horseback. For three or four years he was actively engaged in establishing mills, stores, etc., at Munroe Falls, near what is now Akron; but the great financial panic of 1837 put a stop to these enterprises and compelled his return. Soon after returning from the west he established himself in partnership with his cousin William Muzzey, as agents in Philadelphia for the New England Glass Co., which was for many years the leading manufacturers of glass in the United States. He remained in Philadelphia until after the Civil War, when he returned to Boston as treasurer of the New England Glass Co., taking up again his residence in the old tavern. Because of the dicovery of natural gas, the glass industry was removed to the region where this ideal fuel for glass making was found, and the stockholders of the company voted to dissolve the company. The work of closing up the affairs of the concern and of disposing of its properties fell entirely upon William and occupied him for several years. When this work was finished, he retired from business and devoted himself to the care of his place and to the entertainment of the hosts of pilgrims to Lexington, to whom he delighted to tell the story of the "Battle" and of the "Tavern." Gradually under the weight of years, he grew weaker, but did not suffer from pain or disease. He died peacefully in the afternoon of 28 Aug 1902. He was always proud of his native town and until feebleness prevented, he was faithful in his duties as a citizen and was a constent attendant at the First Parish Church. He was of the fifth generation of Munroes who were members of this church. He served on the committee which planned the centennial celebration of 19Apr 1875. He also was instrumental in having tablets placed on the historic sites in Lexington and served on other committees having to do with the welfare of the town. His funeral was held at two o'clock on 30 Aug 1902 at his home. The Rev. C. A. Staples officiated and read appropriate passages from the scriptures and referred with deep feeling to his many years of intimacy with the deceased. He spoke with eloquence of William's uprightness, kindness and unfailing courtesy, summing up his character as that of a Christian gentleman. References: (1) Clan Munro library - "History and Genealogy of the Lexington, Massachusetts Munroes", 2nd edition, by R. S. Munroe, (1986) - 13-34-5-1 Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

  
  

• Sources

  [S247] History of the Munros of Fowlis, Alexander Mackenzie, M.J.L., (Published in Inverness, Scotland by A & W Mackenzie (1898)), p. 576 (Reliability: 3).