Mr. Munger remained at home with his parents until fourteen years of age, in the meantime removing with them to the Prairie State. At the age mentioned he returned to New York, attended the Clinton Liberal Institute for one year, and the academy at Deansville about two years. He then returned to his home in Illinois, thereafter teaching school in Fulton County until the outbreak of the late Civil War. He then laid aside his plans for the future and enlisted as a Union soldier, becoming a nember of Co. C, 17th 111. Vol. Inf., and served three years in the war, in the meantime being promoted Sergeant. He participated with his regiment in the battles of Fredericktown, Mo., Ft. Donelson, siege of Corinth. Vicksburg, Inka, and many other engagements and skirmishes. He received an honorable discharge at the close, and returned to Fulton County. He here engaged in farming until 1867, when he removed to LaHarpe, Ill., and engaged in the agricultural business with Amos Breed and H. L. Bacon, under the firm name of Breed, Munger & Co. They did a very large business, controlling the trade in three counties. In 1875, the firm, against the advice and judgment of Mr. Munger, built a factory and commenced the manufacture of pumps. This large outlay of money, together with the fact of the company doing an extensive credit business, followed by the financial crisis of 1876-77-78, caused the firm to fail in 1878, Mr. Munger losing everything. In 1881 he crossed the Mississippi, came to Cedar Rapids, and became interested, in the pump business. Profiting by his past experience, and having the full management of the business, from a moderate beginning he has built up a large and successful business. He first associated himself with James La Tourette, of St. Louis, Mo., and they operated under the firm name of Cedar Rapids Pump Company. Their pumps were manufactured in St. Louis, and shipped in car loads to Cedar Rapids. In 1884 the business had assumed such magnitude that it was impracticable to have the machine work so far away, and they therefore erected the building which they now occupy, which is located on the west side of F street, on the C. & N. W. R. R. The building is 100 feet square, and the warehouse 20x10O. In January, 1885, a stock company was formed and incorporated with a paid up capital of $25,000. The officers of the company are the stockholders. The factory is supplied with all the modern machinery for the manufacture of wood pumps from the crude material. Their goods are shipped to Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. They give employment to twenty-five hands.

The marriage of T. C. Munger and Miss Grace Breed was celebrated in October, 1877. Mrs. Munger is a native of Fulton County, Ill., and the daughter of Amos and Mary Breed. Of their union five children have been born - Alice, Ruth, Mary, Bessie and Grant. They occupy a comfortable home at No. 318 Second Avenue West. Mr. Munger is Republican in politics, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the Board of Trade. While in Illinois he was an Alderman from one of the wards of the city of La Harpe. He is a thorough business man, honorable and upright in his transactions, wide-awake and energetic, and as a neighbor and a citizen is held in high esteem by his townsmen.