Thomas William Runyan

As printed in 1908

THOMAS WILLIAM RUNYAN, one of Pleasant Township's prominent citizens, has resided on his present farm of 427 acres, situated three and one-half miles south of Catawba, since 1871. Mr. Runyan was born in Pleasant Township, Clark County, Ohio, May 26, 1837, and is a son of George and Catherine (Jones) Runyan. -

The Runyan family is one of the old and substantial ones of this section. It was established here by Joseph and Eliza Runyan, the grandparents of Thomas W..

who came to Ohio from Kentucky and settled near Asbury Chapel. The country was still full of Indians and they were actively hostile, the settlers frequently having to seek safety in the block-house which had been erected for that purpose. George Runyan, father of Thomas W., was born in Kentucky in 1808. He was about eight years old when his parents came to Clark County, and here he was reared. He married a daughter of George Jones, of Pleasant Township, and they had the following children: Ann, Elizabeth, Eli, Josiah, Thomas, William, Lucinda, George Washington and John W. The eldest daughter of this family married Michael Wiet and their surviving children are: James, Mary, Catherine, Frank, Lucinda, Asa and Millie. Elizabeth, the second daughter, was married March 25, 1852, to John Page and their children are: Joseph, Charles, Isaac and John W. Eli Runyan married Jane Wilkinson and their sui-living children are: Jane, Mary Ann, Lizzie, Ella and Georgia. Georgia Runyan married Ashby Allender and they have five children and reside at Springfield. Josiah Runyan, who was born in 1834, died July 31, 1907. He married Elizabeth Hendricks and they had two children, Oscar and George. Oscar married Alice Smith and they have one daughter, Glennie. George married Carrie Patterson and they had two children, Bruce and Lewis, who were reared by their grandfather, their father having died when they were young. Lucinda Runyan was born March 20, 1840, and resides at Catawba. George Washington Runyan was born February 17, 1843, and died January 13, 1862, from the results of an accidental burn. John Runyan was born April 16, 1849. He married Frances Ropp, a daughter of Jacob and Isabel Ropp, of Pleasant Township, and they had two children, twin sons. Forest M. and Foster M., the latter of whom survives. He was accidental poisoned.

Thomas William Runyan attended the district school in his boyhood and has always taken a prominent place in his community. He was reared on the home farm but also learned the blacksmith trade. In a shop which he has near his home, all the large amount of blacksmith work required to be done on his large estate, is attended to. He continues to be actively engaged in general farming and is assisted by his son, Charles E., and his son-in-law. Minor Hardman.

Mr. Runyan was married February 25, 1858, to Phoebe Ann Demory, and they had two children, Charles E. and Hattie. Charles E. Runyan married Luella Mc- Chntock, and they have had four children, Stella, Ethel and Russell still surviving. Stella married Edward McCuUough. Ethel married William Sanders, and they have had three children, Helen L., Maurice C, and Martin Lee, deceased. Russell Runyan lives at home. Hattie, the only daughter of Thomas W. Runyan, was born May 29, 1863. On December 29, 1881, she was married to Minor N. Hardman, and they have three children, Charles 0.. who was born November 19, 1882, holds a responsible position in the Mad River Bank at Springfield; Annie M.; and Ralph 0., who was born December 25, 1894.

Thomas William Rimyan is the oldest member of Catawba Lodge No. 349, Odd Fellows, to which Minor N. Hardman and Charles E. Runvan also belong. The latter is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle No. 4, at Catawba, and also of the Rebecca organization. The whole family is more or less identified with the leading interests of this community.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.