McDonough ILGenWeb

RUNYAN, Joseph D., who is successfully engaged in farming in Bushnell Township, McDonough County, Ill., was born in the county named August 17, 1862, a son of Stephen and Lucy (Dilts) Runyan, natives of New Jersey. Stephen Runyan came to McDonough County about 1860, and settled in Bushnell Township, where he was engaged in farming. His son, Joseph D., was reared on the farm, and in boyhood attended the public school. When twenty-one years old he began farming for himself, and in 1889 purchased eighty acres of land in Section 30, Bushnell Township. He subsequently became the owner of his father's farm, making 160 acres in all, and in 1904 built an elegant modern residence. On December 23, 1886, Mr. Runyan was married to Elizabeth Black, who was born in McDonough County, Ill. Her parents, S. H. and Mary (Bosler) Black, were both natives of Ohio and were united in marriage on December 4, 1856. Coming to McDonough County, they located on a farm which he had purchased, two miles from Sciota. They are now living in retirement at Good Hope, Ill. Mrs. Runyan is the fourth born in a family of five children. Four children were the offspring of her union with Joseph D. Runyan: Edna, Stella, Winnie and Clarence. In politics, Mr. Runyan gives his support to the Republican party.

---

Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 995, extracted 29 May 2020 by Norma Hass.