 Grape breeder Elmer Swenson credited it with inspiring his early interest in the field.Although Munson is best remembered as a horticulturist, he was also active in the Freethought movement.In July 1890, when James D. Shaw, the controversial editor of the "Independent Pulpit" was elected president of the newly formed Texas Liberal Association at a meeting held in Waco, Texas, members chose Munson to serve as treasurer, a post to which he was re-elected the following year in San Antonio, Texas.