WI BIO - Kenosha Co - RUNALS, Frank A.

History of Kenosha and Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman. Chicago: Clarke 
Publishing, 1916, vol II, pp 443-444

Frank A. RUNALS, owner of an excellent farm on Section 25, Somers Township, 
one of Kenosha County's self-made men, was born 07 March 1853 in the city of 
Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, a son of Eli and Helen Charrille (MURRAY) 
RUNALS. The father [Eli RUNALS] was a born at Pike [then in Genesee County, 
but later in Wyoming County], New York. He [Eli RUNALS] attended school in 
New York until fourteen years of age, and then began working for his uncle, 
under whose direction he learned the hatter's trade. He was also employed in 
various other ways, acting for a time as driver of one of the canal boats.

In 1836 he [Eli RUNALS] arrived in Kenosha County [then still part of Racine 
County, formed in 1836, in the Territory of Wisconsin, created from part of 
Michigan Territory on 20 April 1836], having driven a team across the country 
from New York. The same year [1836] he returned to the Empire State [New 
York] and in 1837 he brought his family to Wisconsin, establishing his home 
at Kenosha, then called Southport. [Southport was renamed the City of 
Kenosha on 07 February 1850; Kenosha County was created 26 January 1850.] 
Here [Southport, then in Racine County, Territory of Wisconsin] he erected an 
hotel which he called the "Runals House," and for three years was proprietor 
of that establishment, after which he leased the hotel to a tenant, but 
continued to own the building until it was destroyed by fire in 1860. After 
leaving the hotel he took up his abode in Somers Township, where he [Eli 
RUNALS] continued to reside until his death, with the exception of a period 
of seven years which he again spent in Kenosha.

He [Eli RUNALS] was united in marriage to Miss Helen Charrille MURRAY, a 
daughter of Eli MURRAY and a native of New York. They [Eli and Helen 
Charrille (MURRAY) RUNALS] became the parents of four children: (1) Eli G. 
Griffith, who died at the age of eighteen months; (2) Ida Belle, who passed 
away when twenty-one years old; (3) Frank A.; and (4) Lilly Charrille. 
Fraternally Eli RUNALS was connected with the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, 
and his religious faith was that of the Episcopal church. In politics he 
maintained an independent course, and while living in Kenosha he served as 
the first Alderman from the First Ward. He took a helpful interest in all 
that pertained to the public welfare, and stood for those things which are 
most worthwhile in the life of a community. His record was indeed 
creditable, for from the age [p 444] of fourteen years he depended upon his 
own resources, and not only provided for his own support, but also 
contributed to the support of his brothers and sisters.

Frank A. RUNALS at the usual age became a pupil in the public schools of 
Kenosha, which he attended to the age of fifteen years. Later he spent three 
years as a student in the Michigan State Normal, after which he returned home 
and went upon the farm. He continued to reside upon the Willowbrook farm 
until 1915, when he purchased twenty-seven acres of land on Section 25, 
Somers Township, and since that time has lived practically retired, enjoying 
the fruits of his former toil in a period of well earned rest. While upon 
the farm he was ever diligent and industrious, and his intelligently directed 
efforts brought to him a very gratifying measure of success.

In 1881 Mr. [Frank A.] RUNALS was united in marriage to Miss Carrie W. 
STRYKER, her father being James M. STRYKER, an old settler of Kenosha County. 
She [Carrie W. STRYKER] was born in Southport in 1855 [then the City of 
Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin], attended the common schools in the 
acquirement of an education, and remained under the parental roof until she 
gave her hand in marriage to Frank A. RUNALS. She became the mother of 
[Frank A. and Carrie W. (STRYKER) RUNALS became the parents of] four 
children: (1) Frank A. Jr., living in Kenosha, who wedded Miss Louis KOCH 
and has one child, Arline; (2) Ida Belle, at home; (3) Ellen S., who is the 
wife of John LeRoy TODD; and (4) Helen Charrille, who gave her hand in 
marriage to Hans M. BRAHAM of Kenosha. The wife and mother [Carrie W. 
(STRYKER) RUNALS] passed away in January 1892, and was laid to rest in 
Kenosha, her death being deeply regretted by many friends as well as by her 
immediate family.

In his fraternal connections Mr. [Frank A.] RUNALS [Sr.] is a Mason, 
belonging to Kenosha Lodge, No. 47, Free & Accepted Masons. In voting he 
supports the men whom he regards as the best candidates for office without 
consideration of party affiliation. His fellow townsmen, appreciating his 
known worth and ability, called upon Frank A. RUNALS to serve as Supervisor 
on the town board, in which capacity he continued for four years. He has 
served in school offices for six or seven years, and is ever interested in 
the educational and moral, as well as in the material development, of the 
community. Frank A. RUNALS belongs to the Episcopal church, in the faith of 
which he was reared, and his entire life has been spent in harmony therewith. 
He is well known in Kenosha County, where he has always resided, and his 
life has at all times measured up to high standards of manhood and 
citizenship.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly