Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Schuyler County
Chapter: XXXII Page: 920

JAMES I. RUNKLE

JAMES I. RUNKLE, a farmer of high standing and abundant financial resources, an honored veteran of the Civil War, and for thirty years a much respected citizen of Littleton Township, Schuyler County, Ill., was born in Industry Township, McDonough County, Ill., October 06, 1841. His father, DARIUS RUNKLE, was a native of Champaign County, Ohio, and his mother, ANNA M. (WALKER) RUNKLE, was born in Adams County, Pa., near the town of Gettysburg. The paternal grandparents, WILLIAM and MARY (PENCE) RUNKLE, were Virginians by nativity, while the birth of the grandparents on the maternal side, ANDREW and ANNIE (WILSON) WALKER, occurred in Pennsylvania. In 1837, DARIUS RUNKLE, father of JAMES I., located in Doddsville, Schuyler County, Ill., and had charge of the general store of SAMUEL DODDS, for about a year. Then he went back to Ohio, staying a like period there, and returning to Doddsville, where he was united in marriage with ANNA M. WALKER, in 1840. He made a wedding trip to his native State in a covered wagon, and when the honeymoon was over, came to Brooklyn Township, Schuyler County and bought 80 acres of land. This he sold after awhile, purchasing 160 acres in Industry Township, McDonough County. There he followed farming until the time of his death, March 13, 1896, at the age of 83 years. His wife died in 1886, when 65 years old. DARIUS RUNKLE was a very extensive landholder, one of the largest in Central Illinois. His landed possessions comprised 3,000 acres, including farms in Industry and Bethel Townships, McDonough County, and Littleton Township, Schuyler County. He was a man of much force of character, and considerable prominence in agricultural circles, and wielding a strong influence in his locality. Politically, he was identified with the Republican Party. He and his wife had six sons and four daughters, of whom but four sons are now living, the surviving members of the family, besides JAMES I., being J. C., a farmer of Littleton Township; CHARLES W., of Macomb, Ill.; and GEORGE M., who follows farming on the old home place in Industry Township, McDonough County,

JAMES I RUNKLE was reared to the life of a farmer, and received his education in the common schools, and in Lewistown (Ill,) Seminary On August 02, 1861, he enlisted, at St. Louis, Mo., in Company A, Tenth Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served with his regiment in the Army of the Tennessee, during the Civil War. He was within less than a dozen steps of the first commander of his company, CAPT. HORNEY, then Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment, when that officer was killed, at the Battle of Champion Hills. MR. RUNKLE was mustered out of service, August 24, 1864, and returned to the home of his parents. After his marriage, he was engaged in operating one of his father's farms in Industry Township, McDonough County, until 1877. In that year, he moved to his present location in Section 4, Littleton Township, a little southwest of the village of Littleton. All of the improvements on this place, which consisted of 160 acres when he took possession, have been made by him, and he has added to its extent, until the proterty now comprises 320 acres. The farm is in superb condition, and its owner has been signally successful in all his undertakings.

The marriage of MR. RUNKLE took place in October, 1871, at which time CAROLINE M. LEGG became his wife. MRS. RUNKLE, a woman of the worthiest traits of character, was born in Littleton Township, in December, 1845, and is a daughter of THOMAS LEGG, a native of Kentucky. The following children have blessed the union of MR. and MRS. RUNKLE, namely: ETHLYN (MRS. ASA FINCH), residing in Littleton Township; ROY, a resident of the same township; LOIS (MRS. OTTO BAXTER), of McDonough County, Ill.; JOSEPH, who lives with his parents; and MARY, who was married to RANDOLPH BLACK, of McDonough County.

In political action, MR. RUNKLE is identified with the Republican party. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belongs.

 
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