WI BIO - Dodge Co - RUNKEL, Jacob, John, Louis, & Philip History of Dodge County, Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1880, pp 739-740 Biography of Jacob RUNKEL - p 739 [father of John, Louis, & Philip] Jacob RUNKEL, a pioneer settler, and also a leading citizen of Lowell Township [Dodge County, Wisconsin], was born 13 April 1807 near Coblentz, Prussia. He was a soldier in the German Army for three years. On 15 June 1832 in Prussia he [Jacob RUNKEL] married Miss M. K. [Maria Katherine?] RUNKEL [nee WEBER]. In 1847 they [Jacob and M. K. RUNKEL] came to the United States, settled in Lowell Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin, which place has been their home since. Their children [the children of Jacob and M. K. RUNKEL] are: (1) John [whose biography follows], a merchant at Lowell; (2) Louis [whose biography follows], also a merchant at Lowell; (3) Kate, now the wife of Fred. VOEDISCH, manufacturer at Lowell; (4) George, a farmer in Lowell Township; (5) Frederic, a dealer in agricultural implements in Lowell; and (6) Philip [whose biography follows], now a grain merchant in Reeseville. Jacob RUNKEL owns a large and finely improved farm, located on the Lowell and Reeseville Road, about halfway between those places. Himself and wife, though now at an advanced age, are in robust health, and are spending their years in peace and competence, enjoying the respect and confidence of the entire community, where they have lived so long old and honored citizens. Biography of John RUNKEL - p 739 [son of Jacob; brother of Louis & Philip] John RUNKEL, of the firm of J. & L. [John and Louis] Runkel, dealers in general merchandise and also manufacturers, Lowell [Lowell Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin], was born in 1837 near Coblentz, Prussia. In 1847 [by calculation, at about ten years of age] John RUNKEL emigrated to Lowell Township with his parents, Jacob and Maria K. [Maria Katherine?] RUNKEL. In 1847 [15 June 1832?] he [John's father, Jacob RUNKEL] married Miss Mary [Maria Katherine?] WEBER. They [Jacob and Mary (WEBER) RUNKEL] have ten children: John [the subject], Katie, George, Fred, Ellie, Lena, Bertha, Jacob , Mary, Minnie. Mr. [John] RUNKEL is a Democrat in politics. He has filled various local offices, and was elected a member of the Wisconsin Assembly one term. He [John RUNKEL] has been in business in Lowell [Dodge County, Wisconsin] and vicinity for over twenty years, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. Biography of Louis RUNKEL - pp 739-740 [son of Jacob; brother of John & Philip] Louis RUNKEL, of the firm of J. & L. [John & Louis] RUNKEL, dealers in general merchandise, lumber merchants and proprietors of cooper shop, Lowell [Lowell Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin], was born in 1839 near Coblentz, Prussia. In 1847 he emigrated with his parents, Jacob and Katherine M. [Maria Katherine?] RUNKEL, who settled in Lowell Township in 1847. His [Louis RUNKEL's] boyhood was passed mostly on a farm, and the rudiments of his education were received at the common schools; he became proficient in all the common branches. On 02 April 1862 he [Louis RUNKEL] married Miss C. [Christina] WEBER. They [Louis and C. (WEBER) RUNKEL] have four children: (1) Ella G. [who married Frank R. PENDLETON on 15 August 1888 at Gillett [Oconto County], Wisconsin, in 1899 moved to Everett, Snohobish County, Washington, and was the mother of six children: Ross (pre-1907 Wisconsin birth index: Ross PENDLETON born 11 April 1889 in Oconto, Oconto County, Wisconsin), Verna, Wayne, Brooks, Norma, and Francis]; (2) Elnora, (3) Frank O. and (4) Charlie. Mr. [Louis] RUNKEL has been identified with the interests of the town of Lowell, as a business man for a period of several years, and he has fully secured the confidence and respect of all with whom he has had to do. He [Louis RUNKEL] and his brother, John RUNKEL, have a large trade in their general store, which was first established by John RUNKEL in about 1857. They [John and Louis RUNKEL] also own and manage a cooper shop, wherein [p 740] they give employment to about forty men. They are also extensively engaged in the lumber trade. Everything they undertake bears the unmistakable impress of their energy and sound judgment. In addition to this they are true gentlemen, and enjoy the abiding confidence of the people for their unimpeachable integrity. [Louis RUNKEL, who had been a resident of Shawano, Shawano County, Wisconsin, died 28 April 1896, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Cook Avenue, Oconto, Oconto County, Wisconsin. His widow, Mrs. Christina (WEBER) RUNKEL, died in 1919 in Everett, Snohobish County, Washington, and is also buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Oconto.] Biography of Philip RUNKEL - p 740 [son of Jacob; brother of John & Louis] Philip RUNKEL, grain merchant, Reeseville [Lowell Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin], was born in 1833 near Coblentz, Prussia, son of Jacob and Katherine [Maria Katherine?] RUNKEL, with whom in 1847 he emigrated to Lowell Township, then a comparatively a new country. Determining to pursue the business of husbandry, they purchased a farm, and in real earnest set about taming the wilderness. Success rewarded their efforts, and they now reside on Section 22, Lowell Township, old and respected citizens. Jacob and Kathrine [no "e" - Maria Katherine?] RUNKEL, as before stated, settled in Dodge County in 1847. Their children are: (1) John, now a merchant in Lowell [Dodge County], and at one time a member of the Wisconsin Assembly; (2) Louis, also a merchant in Lowell; (3) Katie, wife of Fred Voedeisch WEBBER [WEBER?]; (4) George, a leading farmer; (5) Fredric, a dealer in agricultural implements, also at Lowell; and (6) Philip, a grain merchant in Reeseville [born 1833]. In 1856 Philip RUNKEL married Miss Catherine [BREYER], daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth BREYER. They Philip and Catherine (BREYER) RUNKEL] have three children living: (1) Louis L., (2) Emma [who was born at Oconto, Oconto County, Wisconsin, died 12 March 1869, at two years of age, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Oconto, Wisconsin], and (3) Frank P. About 1867 Philip RUNKEL engaged in the grain business at Reeseville, which he has successfully continued in since, doing a large trade. He was the second Postmaster of Reeseville, a position which he filled to the entire satisfaction of the community. In politics he is independent, though being in no sense a politician, he believes that all political action should be prompted and controlled by generous principles and unselfish purpose. Daniel BREYER, father-in-law of Philip RUNKEL [and father of Catherine (BREYER) RUNKEL], was born in Prussia, where he married Elizabeth HITTLE [a maiden name?]. In 1847 they settled at Elba, Dodge County, Wisconsin, where he [Daniel BREYER] died in 1855. She died [as "Mrs. Elizabeth BREYER," if not remarried] in 1874 at Columbus [Columbia County], Wisconsin. Their children [the children of Daniel and Elizabeth BREYER] are: (1) Daniel BREYER, who lives at Elba [Dodge County]; (2) Elizabeth, now wife of Andrew LAPP, of Lowell [Dodge County]; (3) Jacob, who now lives in Minnesota; (4) Catherine, wife of Philip RUNKEL [the subject]; (5) Louisa, the wife of F. HEIDBREAK, Columbus [Columbia County, Wisconsin]; (6) Josephine, the wife of Charles COLONIUS, also of Columbus; and (7) Charles, who resides in Elba [Dodge County]. Submitted by Cathy Kubly