California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


WALTER LEE MUNCY. A prominent business man of Dinuba, Walter Lee Muncy is 
widely known and esteemed for the sterling traits' of character which distinguish his citizen- 
ship. A native of California, he ,was born near Stockton June 1, 1863, the sixth in order of 
birth in a family of six sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. His father, J. S. 
Muncy, was born in East Tennessee of Virginian ancestors. In 1849 he crossed the plains to 
California, where he first engaged in mining, and afterward teamed to the southern mines 
from Stockton. Eventually locating on a farm in San Joaquin county, he followed agricultural 
pursuits for a time, then purchased a farm of sixteen hundred acres in Stanislaus county, just 
south of Modesto, which he devoted to the raising of grain. He now makes his home in Mo- 
desto, retired from the active cares of life. In Tuolumne county, Ca!., he was united in mar- 
riage with Juliette Squires, a native of St. Louis, Mo., who is still sharing with him the fruits of 
his years of industry and energy. 

Reared to young manhood upon the paternal farm. Walter Lee Muncy attended the district 
school, while at the same time he received the practical training which has formed no unimpor- 
tant part in his subsequent career. He remained at home until he was twenty-six years old, when 
he sought independent ventures, locating in 1890 in Dinuba (which then consisted of but eight 
houses and one store), and here established the first hardware store. He continued successfully 
in its management for two years, when he established a blacksmith business on Main street. This 
remained his chief interest until 1901, when he once more gave impetus to the business activity 
by establishing a plumbing and tinning business, now manufacturing everything in his line, such 
as tanks, towers, the Sampson windmill, gasoline engines, etc., as well as everything in a 
plumbing line. In December, 1902, he formed a partnership with Zenas E. Thorp, a practical 
plumber. Mr. Muncy has made a success of every enterprise undertaken and has proven him- 
self an important factor in the upbuilding of the town. 

Near Modesto Mr. Muncy was united in marriage with Lulu May, a native of that city, and 
they are the parents of two sons, Leonard Glenn and Irwin. Mr. Muncy is prominent in frater- 
nal orders, being a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge of this place, of which he is past grand, 
having served two terms ; Woodmen of the World, of which he was second counselor com- 
mander, and both himself and wife are members of the Rebekahs and Women of Woodcraft. 
Politicallv he is a stanch Democrat.