Obituary 1928
JAMES I RUNKLE
James I. Runkle was born in McDonough County, Illinois, on the 6th day of
October, 1841, and died at the St. Francis hospital at Macomb, Illinois, on
Saturday, Nov. 17, 1928, aged 87 years, 1 month and 11 days. He was the oldest
of the 10 children of Darius and Maria (Walker) Runkle and was also the last one
of the family, the other 9 children and his parents having preceded him in
death. On Aug. 2, 1861, at the age of 19 years, Mr. Runkle answered his
country's call and enlisted in Company A of the 10th Missouri Infantry, serving
3 years. He was discharged from the service on Aug. 24, 1864, holding at that
time the rank of Sergeant and immediately re-enlisted as a veteran for the
duration of the war. Oct. 4, 1871, Mr. Runkle was united in marriage with
Caroline Legg, who died Feb. 24, 1919. The following children survive: Ethlyn
Finch of Rushville, Illinois; Mrs. Lois Baxter of Beardstown, Ill.; Mrs. Mary
Black of Industry, Ill.; Roy L. Runkle of Littleton, Ill. and Joseph C. Runkle
of Industry, Ill., also 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
He was a member of the Presbyterian church at Doddsville, Ill. for many years,
was interested in the work of not only his own but all other churches and gave
liberally to their support. Mr. Runkle was a man of sterling character, upright
and honest in all dealings with his fellow men, a great help to the community in
which he lived and one of whom they could well be proud. Funeral services were
held at the Hainline Memorial on Monday, Nov. 19, at 1 o'clock p.m., conducted
by the Rev. J. M. Thompson, of St. Louis, Mo., a former pastor of the
Presbyterian church at Doddsville. the body is at rest in Doddsville cemetery.
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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Schuyler County
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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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Source: Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Schuyler County
Chapter: XXXII Page: 920
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