The collection is divided into Irvin’s papers and Maud’s papers, and is then arranged alphabetically and chronologically. It consists mostly of Maud and Irvin’s notebooks on various topics and courses they took at CMU during the 1890s. There is one folder with Biographical Materials, including photographs, of them with teachers, classmates, their graduation classes, fellow boarders, and of Irvin with two sets of school children he taught in Brimley (1899) and Matchett (circa 1899-1901) in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Two essays Irvin wrote are also included. Unidentified Muncy materials and an undated Civil War notebook of Lee Gibbs complete the collection. Gibbs’ relationship, if any, to the Muncys is unknown.
Biography:
(John) Irvin Muncy, known as Irvin, was born on July 12, 1871 in Dowagiac, Michigan. He worked in logging camps and the drive down the Muskegon River in the late 1880s. Irvin attended school at the Flint “Academy,” Ferris Institute, later Ferris State University, and graduated from Michigan Normal School, later Central Michigan University (CMU), in 1899. He taught at several schools in Grand Traverse County and Cedar, Michigan.
In 1904 Irvin moved to Lansing, Michigan, to work at the Oldsmobile Gas Engine Works. From 1908 to 1909 he lived in Boston, Massachusetts, where he serviced automobiles.
During World War I he co-designed the Liberty Engine for U.S. military aircraft.
Irvin eventually moved back to Michigan and worked at the Warren Motor Car Co. in Detroit, Detroit. By 1922, Irvin worked as the Assistant to the Chief Engineer of Studebaker, “Fred” Zeder. Later that year, Irvin became the Chief Engineer, a position he held until he retired in 1930.
During the 1930s, Irvin suffered as a result of bank failures. He worked doing various odd jobs until his death.
In April 1900, Irvin married Maud Ione Ackley. Together they had three children: Ralph, Gail (1907-1908) and Irene (who was adopted). Irvin and Maud divorced in 1923. Irvin remarried twice afterwards.
On January 15, 1949, Irvin died in Traverse City, Michigan.
Irvin’s wife, Maud Ione Ackley, was born on May 31, 1873 in DeWitt Township Clinton County, Michigan. She attended the Normal School at Boyne Falls and graduated from Central Normal School, later CMU, in 1899. Prior to attending CMU, Maud taught at Cross Village and Goodhart in Emmet County, Michigan.
Maud did not remarry after she and Irvin divorced. She made her home with her adopted daughter, Irene. On October 31, 1969 Maud died in Montpelier, Vermont. (This information is from the collection.)
