ROYAL E. MUNSON

Sacramento County

Biographies

ROYAL E. MUNSON

R. E. MUNSON--A popular executive who has done much to advance certain agricultural interests in Sacramento County, is R. E. Munson, the general manager of the Rio Linda Poultry Producers' Association, dealers in grains and poultry supplies at Rio Linda, who has been in charge of this rapidly expanding establishment since May, 1922. The history of the organization dates back to July 30, 1920, when it was incorporated by a group of poultry-raisers of Rio Linda. Today, it is looked upon with pride by all northern Californians, and its fame has reached far beyond the confines of the Golden State.

Mr. Munson was born in Marshall County, Iowa, on October 31, 1892, the second of three sons [Earl W. & Homer I.] of M. [Martin] N. Munson, a native of Illinois [& Harriet], where he first saw light in 1864. In 1901 the family moved to Minnesota and located at Montevideo, and there our subject and his father were formerly engaged in extensive stock and grain raising. The lad attended the thorough schools of Montevideo, and also the Windman Academy, and entered the agricultural department of the State University at St. Paul and was there occupied one term. During the World War, Mr. Munson was engaged in extensive farming. He is one of the organizers of the Cooperative Farmer's Stock Exchange of Montevideo, and served as president for a term; and he still has an equity in the Cooperative Exchange of St. Paul. He was also a member of the Montevideo Cooperative Elevator Company, of which his father was the president for five years, and he also figured in all farm circles of Minnesota.

In February 1920, Mr. Munson left the farm, and accompanied his father to California on an extended visit; and while en route they purchased eighty acres of choice land in District No. 1000, in Sutter County, which R. E. Munson farmed in 1921, and has since leased out. He had brought his family out to California in September, 1920, making the trip overland in nineteen days by automobile, following the Lincoln Highway. They also brought along Mr. Munson's six-month-old son Lynn.

The poultry plant at Rio Linda has more than doubled its volume of business since Mr. Munson became general manager, and he recalls with satisfaction the time when three men and one truck were all that was necessary for the entire business, whereas seven men and two trucks are now necessary. The capacity of the warehouse, too, at one time far too large, has been so overtaxed that it is proposed to add materially to the warehousing space, and it is not surprising that the ten thousand dollars of stock has turned twice recently. P. R. Lyding is president of the Rio Linda Poultry Producers' Association; James Gimblett is vice-president; N. B. Harris, treasurer; M. L. Nelson, secretary; and R. E. Munson, manager. The directors are: M. Blocher, Daniel M. Dash, John Matushak; P. R. Lyding, James Gimblett, N. B. Harris, and M. L. Nelson.

On June 20, 1917, Mr. Munson was married to Miss Ada M. McKay, a native of Minnesota and a graduate of the Montevideo high school, who had followed her profession of teaching for two years in Chippewa County, Minn. She is the daughter of T.G. McKay, of Montevideo, a retired merchant, held in high esteem by his former patrons, and is the eldest of four children. She is a very accomplished lady, and takes a great interest in her husband's success. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Munson became president of the Rio Linda Booster's Club, formed in November, 1922, with fifty charter members; and this has grown under his guidance to a thriving organization of eighty members in March, 1923. Mr. Munson is a Republican, and a member of the Blue Lodge of Masons at Montevideo, Minn.

[1910 US Census - Minnesota]

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 653. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.