Matthew M. Munn
Born: February 22, 1883 in Stowe, Vermont
Died: December 25, 1955
Married: Agnes DeLisle, May 2, 1907
Children: Jim Munn, Helen (Mrs. Leo Meldrim), Alice (Mrs. William Wallace), Ruth Munn, John Munn, Robert D. Munn
Matthew Marsh Munn was one of the Munn Brothers. He lived at 6 Prospect Avenue.
He came to Saranac Lake in 1899 at age 16, and was employed for a time at Sherrill's Grocery Store at 46 Main Street. In 1904, he and his brothers William and Albert opened Munn Brothers' Grocery Store at 76 Main Street. In 1919, he sold his interest in the business and opened Munn Jewelery Store; in 1930, he sold the store to William Scheefer. In the early 1930s he was named Town of Harrietstown supervisor, after which he was elected village trustee, village treasurer, and Harrietstown town clerk, a post from which he retired in 1953.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, December 27, 1955
Matthew Munn Dies After Long Illness
Matthew M. Munn, who was never defeated in any election, died Christmas Day at the Gabriels Nursing Home.
Funeral services for the man who was known to all as "Matt" will be held at 9 a.m. tomorrow in St. Bernard's Church, Saranac Lake. Interment will take place in the Spring in St. Bernard's Cemetery.
There will be an Elks service at 7:35 o'clock tonight at the Keough Memorial Chapel where the body is reposing. The Knights of Columbus will hold a Rosary service at 8:15 p.m.
Matt Munn was born on February 22,1883 in Stowe, Vt., but came to Saranac Lake in 1899 when he was 16 years old. For a few years he was employed at Sherrill's Grocery Store, which was located where E. H. Gray's book store now stands.
In 1904 he and his brother, William, opened Munn's Grocery Store in the building which now houses The Enterprise. They were assisted in business by their brother, Albert.
In April 1907 Matt Munn and Agnes DeLisle were united in marriage by Father Waters, the first Catholic pastor in Saranac Lake. Mrs. Munn, who died in an automobile accident in 1941, was born in AuSable Forks, but like her husband, had lived here since childhood. The couple had six children, Jim, who is New York State correspondent of the Associated Press Special Washington Service; Helen, Mrs. Leo Meldrim, of Cortland; Alice, Mrs. William Wallace, of Saranac Lake; Ruth, who died in 1941; John, of Saranac Lake, and Bob, who is stationed at Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas.
Matt sold his interest in the grocery store just after prohibition in 1919 and later entered the jewelry business known as Munn's Jewelry Store. He continued this operation until the mid 30's when he sold to the late William Scheefer.
Shortly after that Matt became Harrietstown supervisor. During the following years he served as village trustee, village treasurer, supervisor and Harrietstown Town Clerk, a post he held at the time of his retirement in 1953. In addition to civic activities he had been an active member of the Knights of Columbus and was a Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks. As far as anyone can recall Matt was never defeated for any public office.
In addition to his children survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Sue Bordman, of Burlington, Vt., and Mrs Nell Bugbee, of Springfield, Vt.
The Harrietstown Town Hall will close from 9 to 10 a.m. tomorrow in respect to Matthew M. Munn.
Excerpted from an article on the Fowler Block by Philip Gallos.
In October, 1909, W. Smith and Jessie Fowler sold the Fowler Block to William J. and Matthew M. Munn.
On the ground floor of the building, these two Munns, with their brother Albert, opened the Munn Brothers' Grocery. It was a large and successful business — so much so that most older residents call 76 Main Street the "Munn Block".
The Munns’ was the first grocery in the village to have walk-in coolers, and they had a fleet of three delivery trucks.
In June of 1925, the Munns sold the Fowler Block to John S. Ridenour, publisher of the Adirondack Enterprise, who bought the building as an investment.