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== Theosophical Society activities ==
== Theosophical Society activities ==


Munson joined the San Buena Ventura Lodge of the American Theosophical Society on October 10, 1904. He wrote articles for Theosophical periodicals, such as "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy"<ref>"Eugene W. Munson, "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy" ''The Messenger'' 3 no. 6 (November, 1915): 164-165.</ref> He demitted to the Krotona Lodge in 1917.<ref>Membership Ledger Cards roll 5. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> During the years 1917-19xx he served as treasurer of the national Society.<ref>Eugene W. Munson. "Treasurer's Report" ''The Messenger'' Statistical Year Book supplement 5 no. 4 (September, 1917): 4.</ref>
Munson joined the San Buena Ventura Lodge of the American Theosophical Society on October 10, 1904. In 1912 and 1913, he disposed of his Idaho property, including a ranch, and moved to [[Krotona in Hollywood]].<ref>''Caldwell Tribune''29 (December 20, 1912): 4. </ref><ref>''Caldwell Tribune''30 (January 10, 1913): 7. </ref> As the local newspaper reported:
<blockquote>
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Munson will soon leave for Krotona, California, near Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Munson are moving so as to be near the new headquarters of the Theosophical society. They are thoroughly devoted to theTheosophical cause and feel it their duty to take a move active part in the work at Krotona.<ref>''Caldwell Tribune''30 (January 3, 1913): 4. </ref>
</blockquote>
 
He wrote articles for Theosophical periodicals, such as "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy"<ref>"Eugene W. Munson, "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy" ''The Messenger'' 3 no. 6 (November, 1915): 164-165.</ref> He demitted to the Krotona Lodge in 1917.<ref>Membership Ledger Cards roll 5. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> During the years 1917-19xx he served as treasurer of the national Society.<ref>Eugene W. Munson. "Treasurer's Report" ''The Messenger'' Statistical Year Book supplement 5 no. 4 (September, 1917): 4.</ref>


When the Besant Lodge of Krotona was established in October 1920 with 56 members, he was a charter member and vice president, with [[Marie Poutz]] as president.<ref>"Besant Lodge, Krotona" ''The Messenger'' 8 no. 7 (December, 1920): 577.</ref>
When the Besant Lodge of Krotona was established in October 1920 with 56 members, he was a charter member and vice president, with [[Marie Poutz]] as president.<ref>"Besant Lodge, Krotona" ''The Messenger'' 8 no. 7 (December, 1920): 577.</ref>

Revision as of 15:06, 29 September 2023

Eugene W. Munson was a member of the American Theosophical Society and lecturer for the Krotona Institute of Theosophy.


Personal life

On November 9, 1877, Eugene Munson was born in Marshall, California to Miron Munson and Fannie Aldrich Munson.[1] He had two older sisters and one younger brother. By 1880, the family had moved to Spokane, Washington.[2] Little is known of the life of Miron, but by 1900, Fannie had remarried to Joseph E. Cohenhour. They lived in Chicago with three of the children, including Eugene, who at age 23 was working as an electrician.[3]

At some point Eugene moved to Roswell, Idaho, a small town near Boise, where he was part owner of a general store, and regarded as "one of the substantial citizens of that community."[4] On August 1, 1908, he married Mattie Doll of Saugatuck, Michigan, and they moved into a well-furnished bungalow.

Mr. Munson died on October 31, 1952 in Los Angeles.[5]

Theosophical Society activities

Munson joined the San Buena Ventura Lodge of the American Theosophical Society on October 10, 1904. In 1912 and 1913, he disposed of his Idaho property, including a ranch, and moved to Krotona in Hollywood.[6][7] As the local newspaper reported:

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Munson will soon leave for Krotona, California, near Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Munson are moving so as to be near the new headquarters of the Theosophical society. They are thoroughly devoted to theTheosophical cause and feel it their duty to take a move active part in the work at Krotona.[8]

He wrote articles for Theosophical periodicals, such as "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy"[9] He demitted to the Krotona Lodge in 1917.[10] During the years 1917-19xx he served as treasurer of the national Society.[11]

When the Besant Lodge of Krotona was established in October 1920 with 56 members, he was a charter member and vice president, with Marie Poutz as president.[12]

Lecture tours

After Krotona had become established in Hollywood, Munson was more active in the national organization. George H. Hall, Manager of the Krotona Estate, wrote:

Later he entered the service of The Theosophical Society in America as a National Lecturer, and traveled throughout the United States lecturing and organizing study classes and lodges. He was one of the best lecturers for the Society and made many friends all over the country. It was from this work that I called him in 1923 to help me at Hollywood before we moved to Ojai. When we sold the Hollywood property, he and Mrs. Munson were the first to move to Ojai, and for nearly thirty years we have worked together to build the new Krotona in the Ojai Valley.[13]

During the years 1916-1922, Munson worked as a National Lecturer of the American Theosophical Society, touring for months on end. His presentations received excellent reviews from local newspapers. After speaking in Pueblo, Colorado, a reviewer wrote:

Mr. Munson has just competed a very successful course in Denver, speaking to capacity houses. He is a pleasant speaker and uses anecdotes, stereopticon and blackboard illustrations freely in demonstrating the more unfamiliar phases of his subject.

He appears practical and level-headed, being an engineer by profession.[14]

During the First World War, he often lectured about topics related to current events, such as an occult view of the war and the rebirth of those who died in wartime in his lecture "What Comes Out of the War;" "The Occult Relations of France, Great Britain, and the United State;" and "The New International Ship of State" [referring to the League of Nations].

Usually Munson spoke more directly about Theosophical subjects, using the stereopticon slides of thought forms and the astral body developed by C. W. Leadbeater. Titles included "How Many Lives Have You Lived?," "Do the Dead Return," "The Path of Achievement," "The Inner Gates of the Soul," and "The Science of the Borderland" [Theosophical explanations of spiritualistic experiences]. A reviewer in Great Falls, Montana, wrote of "The Hidden Side of Things":

In the course of his address, which was heard by a large gathering of interested men and women, Mr. Munson described how telepathy is possible, explained what thoughts are, showing them as tangible objects, with shape and color visible to the occult eye. Mr. Munson also dealt somewhat at length on the evolution of the soul toward perfection.

The lecture was the first of a series of four to be given here... The purpose of the lectures is to arouse interest in the science of theosophy with the idea of perfecting an organization in this city.[15]

Work at Krotona Institute of Theosophy

At the time of his death in 1952, Munson was a member of the Krotona Board of Trustees.

Other activities

George Hall wrote:

In addition to his interest in Krotona and its activities, he took a keen interest in public affairs, and was always generous with his time and contributions to many outside interests. He did much to acquaint the people of the Valley with Krotona an to win for us the respect and friendliness of the community.[16]

Eugene Munson was a 32° Co-Mason.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1926 Passenger list...........
  2. ↑ 1880 United States Federal Census.
  3. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census.
  4. ↑ "A Roswell Wedding" Caldwell Tribune 29 (August 1, 1908): 2.
  5. ↑ 1952 California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997.
  6. ↑ Caldwell Tribune29 (December 20, 1912): 4.
  7. ↑ Caldwell Tribune30 (January 10, 1913): 7.
  8. ↑ Caldwell Tribune30 (January 3, 1913): 4.
  9. ↑ "Eugene W. Munson, "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy" The Messenger 3 no. 6 (November, 1915): 164-165.
  10. ↑ Membership Ledger Cards roll 5. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  11. ↑ Eugene W. Munson. "Treasurer's Report" The Messenger Statistical Year Book supplement 5 no. 4 (September, 1917): 4.
  12. ↑ "Besant Lodge, Krotona" The Messenger 8 no. 7 (December, 1920): 577.
  13. ↑ "Mr. Eugene W. Munson" The American Theosophist 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.
  14. ↑ "Lecture Course in Theosophy" Pueblo Chieftain (March 12, 1922): 6.
  15. ↑ "Theosophists Plan to Organize Here" Great Falls Daily Tribune (September 12, 1921): 9.
  16. ↑ "Mr. Eugene W. Munson" The American Theosophist 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.
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