Superintendent of the Freeport Gas Works, and a gentleman of excellent education and good business capacity, has been a resident of this county since he was twelve years of age. He was born in Centre County, Pa., Dec. 21, 1845, and is the son of Frederick S. and Elizabeth (Furst) Runner, also natives of the Keystone State. The father spent his entire life there. He was born in 1816, and died in 1853. The mother was born in Clinton County in 1815. After the death of her first husband she remarried in 1857, and came West in October of the same year. By her union with Mr. Runner there were born three sons and two daughters. Our subject was educated in the common schools, completing his studies in the city of Freeport when a youth.

During the late Rebellion Mr. Runner enlisted in Co. I, 142d Ill. Vol. Inf., for 100 days, serving in Tennessee and Missouri. On the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted in Co. K. 46th Ill. Vet. Vol. Inf. He took part in the battle at Ft. Blakesly and met the rebels at Spanish Fort and other minor engagements. He experienced all the hardships of life in the army, and at the close of the war was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 15, 1866. Upon his return to Freeport he took a course at the Commercial College, but for several years afterward was employed at farm labor. His tastes, however, did not incline to farm life and its pursuits, and in 1868 he entered the employ of the Freeport Gas Company, with which he continued until 1874. He then withdrew on account of failing health, and accepted a position as traveling salesman, first for the Freeport Notion Company, and later for a glove and mitten factory. His business led him into the States of Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, and resulted in the restoration of his health. Upon retiring from the road Jan. 1, 1880, he was proffered the management of the Freeport Gas Works, and has since held the position with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned.

Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Maria E., daughter of Charles Oxley, Esq., June 22, 1875. Mr. Oxley in earlier years followed farming in Florence Township, but is now retired from active labor, and is a resident of Freeport. Mr. and Mrs. Runner became the parents of four children, three girls and one boy, namely: Mabel A., Olive G., Charles F. and Nellie E. Mrs. R, is a member in good standing of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, in which our subject officiates as Steward, and is one of its most liberal supporters. Socially he belongs to Moses R. Thompson Lodge No. 381, A. F. & A. M., and John A. Davis Post No. 98, G. A. R., and is a Director in the Freeport Building and Loan Association. The mother of Mr. Runner died Oct. 11, 1886, in the seventy-first year of her age.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 537