Celia Blanche Stilwell (1845-1924) and her husband, Frank Munn

Yesterday, I posted a letter from Blanche Munn to her sister, Minnie Stilwell.  This is the second letter from Blanche that I've posted.  The first is found HERE.

I thought it would be good to post a bio of Blanche, since I've posted her letters.

Celia Blanche (Stilwell) Munn

Celia Blanche Stilwell was born 3 November 1845 in Manlius, Onandaga Co., New York.  She was the second child of Lonson Stilwell and his wife, Mary K. White.  The family called her "Blanche."  I've always thought it interesting that "Blanche" is the French word for "white," so she was given her mother's maiden name (White) as a middle name, but in the French form.

In May 1846, Blanche and her family (her parents, Lonson & Mary, and her older brother, Lucien White Stilwell) moved from Onandaga Co., New York to Wisconsin.  By 1850 they had settled in Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., Wisconsin.

The family is found on the 1860 census in Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., Wisconsin, with Celia Blanche listed as 14 years old.

The Stilwell Sisters

On 28 November 1867, Blanche married Frank Munn.  Blanche was 22 and Frank was 27. She and Frank were married the same day that her sister, Annette, was married to Charles Osborn.  My source for this is the Stilwell Family Bible.  I have not yet found a marriage record to confirm the date or to give me the place of marriage, though I suspect it was Fond du Lac Co., Wisconsin.

Franklin R. Munn was a son of Benjamin Munn; I have not yet found his mother's name.  He was born 11 October in either 1839 or 1840 in Fairfield, Huron Co., Ohio.  By 1861, he was in Wisconsin.   Frank served during the Civil War as a member of Co. B, 32nd Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. 



Blanche and Frank had no known children.  For many years, they lived on the Stilwell family farm in Metomen.

In June 1878, Blanche was working as a seamstress in the home of General and Mrs. Brayman in Green Lake, Wisconsin.  Frank was not with her.

The 1880 federal census shows Blanche living with her parents in Metomen, though she is listed as married.  Frank is not listed.

The 1900 federal census for Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin shows Frank R. Munn aged 60 and Blanche Munn aged 54.

The 1905 Wisconsin state census shows them in Fond du Lac County.  They are aged 64 and 59.

The 1920 federal census shows them on Seward Street in Ripon Ward 4, Fond du Lac Co., Wisconsin.  Frank is 79 and Blanche is 74.


I really have very little detail about them.  I don't have a photo of Frank.  I have tried periodically to find more information on Frank without much success.  I just looked again while writing this and found nothing more.

Blanche died 18 March 1924 in Ripon, Fond du Lac Co., Wisconsin.  She is buried in Reeds Corners Cemetery in Fond du Lac County.

Frank died  in March 1929 in Metomen, Wisconsin.  He is buried in Reeds Corners Cemetery.