Richard was the son of Alonzo & Rachel Monroe. Richard was recorded on the 1860 Federal Census living in the household of one James Lindsey in Scott Township, Marion County, OH. On June 1, 1861, 17-year-old Richard M. J. Monroe enlisted for a three-year term in the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.) and was assigned to Company C as a private. His occupation was listed as "farmer" and his physical description was listed as "blue eyes, brown hair, light complexioned, & 5' 5 1/2" tall." By March of 1862, the 8th O.V.I. was deployed against the forces of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson at several locations in the Shenandoah Valley. On August 1, 1862, Richard was promoted to corporal and the regiment was assigned to the Maryland Campaign. On September 17, 1862, Richard was "wounded by gunshot" in the left hip on the first day of the Battle of Antietam. On that day, the 8th O.V.I. was part of a force trying to dislodge Confederate forces from the "Sunken Road" (a.k.a. "Bloody Lane"). Upon recovering from his wound, Richard saw service with the 8th O.V.I. at the Battle of Chancellorsville. On July 3, 1863, Richard was "wounded by gunshot" in the face on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. On that day, the 8th O.V.I. was positioned along the Emmitsburg Road on the left flank of what is remembered as "Pickett's Charge" and the regiment was credited with capturing over 300 Confederate soldiers during the chaos that ensued. Richard served out his remaining enlistment time with a "walking wounded" corps. On June 9, 1866, Richard was married to Elnora Louisa Dilts in Morrow County, OH, and the couple parented two children between the years of 1868 & 1870: Adda Blanche Monroe (who died at age 7) & Artus Judson Monroe. Richard, Elnora, & Artus were recorded on the 1880 Federal Census living in the town of Caledonia, OH. By 1900, Richard & Elnora had moved to the nearby town of Marion where Richard subsequently became a postal mail carrier which job he held for 18 years while living on North State Street in Marion. Richard died at the home of his son Artus in the town of Galion, OH.