# Emil D. Munch *German American politician, businessman and Civil War veteran from Minnesota* Emil D. Munch (December 12, 1831 – August 30 or 31, 1887) was a German American politician, businessman and American Civil War veteran from [[Minnesota]].[^1] He held a seat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] in 1860 and 1861, and he was [[Minnesota State Treasurer]] from 1868 to 1872.[^1] Munch was a Republican, and his business was lumber and milling.[^1] In the Civil War he was captain of the 1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery. He later received a [[Commission]] as a major in the Minnesota Militia.[^1] He was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh.[^1] ## Early life Munch's birthplace was Halberstadt, Prussia. He came to the United States in 1849.[^1] His first Minnesota home was Taylors Falls, where he settled in 1852. In 1857 he relocated to Chengwatana.[^1] ## Career ### Business Munch's trade was lumber, and he owned a sawmill. He remained in the lumber business in later years.[^1] He also ran a flour mill at Afton, Minnesota.[^1] ### Public office As a Republican, Munch sat in the Minnesota House of Representatives during 1860 and 1861.[^1] From 1868 to 1872 he held the office of Minnesota State Treasurer.[^1] ### Civil War service During the American Civil War, Munch was captain of the 1st Minnesota Light Artillery Battery. He was afterward commissioned a major in the Minnesota Militia.[^1] At the Battle of Shiloh, a minié ball struck him in the hip.[^1] ## Death Munch died at Afton at age 55. He was buried in Oakland Cemetery.[^1] His source gives two different dates of death. Its opening sentence gives August 30, 1887, and its later text gives August 31, 1887. The record assembled here does not establish which date is correct.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Emil D. Munch* (revision 1380557000, retrieved 2026-10-25) — biographical summary covering birth, emigration and residences, lumber and milling business, Republican affiliation, Minnesota House service (1860–1861), Civil War service and wounding at Shiloh, State Treasurer service (1868–1872), death in Afton (given as both August 30 and August 31, 1887) and burial in Oakland Cemetery. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_D._Munch