Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1921-01-21
w. J. MUNRO, PIONEER
TRIBUNE EDITOR, DIES
One Of the Founders of the Stevens
County Bank-Editor of Sun for
Eight Years

William J. Munro, of late years a
postoffice inspector, but for thirty
years a prominent editor and business
man of the, city of Morris, died at
Bethesda hospital, St. Paul, on Sun
day morning, Jan. 16. The funeral
was held on Tuesday under Masonic
auspices and he was buried in Oak
land cemetery, where also rest his
father and mother, and his wife, who
died in August 1913. Mr.. Munro's
death followed an operation per-
formed couple of weeks ago.
Mr. Munro came to Morris in
1875, at the age of rs years, and by
far the greater part of his mature
years were spent here. He was born
in Sidney, Cape Breton Island, Nova
Scotia, June 1, 1850, the son of Hugh
and Hannah (OrooD Munro. He was
educated in Halifax and spent two
summers on board of the revenue
cutter Daring" In 1856 he went
to Newfoundland, and engaged in the
mercantile and shipping trade until
1870, when he removed to Boston,
Mass, and there remained for two
years in the manufacturing and mer-
camille trade. He came to Mime
sofa in 1872, and located in st. Paul,
where he took charge of an elevator
for the st. Paul and Pacific Railroad
Company for two years.
In 1875, he came to Morris and
for some three or four years had
| Ioha @E 11o o+@% h saL e,40
near where the Standard Oil station
is now located. In 1877 he became
associated with A. A. Stone in hard
ware and implement business on the
site now occupied by B. E. ADAMS,
4 but about year later disposed of his
interest to Mr.. Stone.
In 1878, he became interested in
the newspaper business, for which he
had peculiar aptitude and in which
he especially distinguished himself
He purchased the Stevens County
Tribune from J. F. Todd and changed
the name to The Morris Tribune.
After four years of successful news
paper work, he sold The Tribune in
1882 to E. w. Randall, and in associ-
alton with H. H. Wells, G. w. Rohne
and others founded the Stevens Coun-
ty Bank, of which he became the vice.
president. About year later he sue
ceeded Mr.. Rohne to the cashiership,
and continued in that work until
about 1894, when he again entered
newspaper work as the editor of The
Morris Sun.
In the meantime he became assOci-
ated with John House in the farm
implement business, which partner
ship of House & Munro continued
until February, 1898, when A. A.
Stone purchased the interest of Mr..
House. Mr.. Munro continued to be
interested in the firm of Stone &
Munro until January 1913, when Mr.:
Stone bought his interest,
Mr.. Munro in 1894 purchased The
Morris Sun from Hugh Whitley,
changed it's politics to Republican,
and under his able editorship made
it one of the outstanding country
weekIies of the state. His editorials
were widely quoted, and we're influ-
entail in shaping public opinion on
the issues of that day. He was an
active member of the Minnesota Edi-
torial Association, and in 1901 was
honored with the presidency of the
Association, In 1902 he was ap-.
pointed a postoffice inspector and
some time after he assumed that work
he disposed of The Sun to C. A. Lee.
The first years of his work for the
government we're mainly spent in the
South, but of late years he has been
in this part of the country, and has.
had his headquarters either at st.
Paul or Mankato.
Mr.. Munro was progressive and
public-spirited business man, kindly
of heart, courtee71s of manner, and
honorable in all his dealings. Old
! friends and old competitors remember
him only with words Of praise.
Mr.. Munro was a lifelong Mason,
having Joined at the age Of 18 years
under Scottish jurisdiction. He was
one Of the charter members of Golden
Sheaf Lodge, No. 1873, and served that
lodge as Master. He was also a mem
ber of Mt. Lebanon Chapter and
Bethel Commandery. =
q Mr.. Munro was married in June,
4 1875, to Miss Mary Gofcher, who
died the following year. On April 8,
1873, he married Miss Ida A. Stone,
daughter of the late Mr.. and Mrs.
H. W. Stone. Mrs. Munro died in
August, 1918.
He is survived by his sister, Mrs.
A. G. Clausen of st. Paul. and by two
sons and three daughters, Mrs. A.
:, (Beatrice) Weaver of Basano, Can
ada, Hugh Munro of st. Paul, Mrs.
H. S. (Blanche) Gillespie of Virginia,
Minn., w. J. Munro, Jr., captain Of