WI BIO - Kenosha Co - RUNKEL, John P.

History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin. Chicago: Western 
Historical, 1879, p 729

John P. RUNKEL, farmer, Sections 1 and 2, Wheatland Township, Kenosha County, 
Wisconsin, P. O. Fox River Station [on the border between Wheatland and Salem 
Townships in Kenosha County], was born 07 October 1827 on the left bank of 
the Rhine, between the cities of Bingen and Mentz, in Germany, the son of 
Anthony and Susan RUNKEL. His father [Anthony RUNKEL] was born in 1788 in 
Germany. In 1805 Anthony RUNKEL went as a substitute in the army for his 
brother under Gen. BONAPARTE, under whom he served gallantly. During their 
service in Russia the soldiers suffered severe exposure to the extreme frost, 
and many of them had their limbs severely frostbitten, of whom Anthony RUNKEL 
was one, and other soldiers were frozen to death.

In 1819 in Germany he [Anthony RUNKEL] married Miss Susan KARCHER, who was 
born in 1790 in Germany. They [Anthony and Susan (KARCHER) RUNKEL] had six 
children, of whom four are living: (1) Barbara, born in October 1824, who 
married Frank SEIBING; (2) Margaret, born in 1825, who married John CULL; 
(3) Agnes, born in 1831, who married William CULL [related to John CULL?]; 
and (4) John P., the subject of this biography. They came to Wisconsin with 
their parents in August 1841, and located and bought the farm, on which they 
[Anthony and Susan (KARCHER) RUNKEL] lived until their death.

In 1837 in Wheatland [then in Racine County, Territory of Wisconsin; in 
Kenosha County when that county was created 26 January 1850; in the State of 
Wisconsin when it was formed 29 May 1848] he [John P. RUNKEL] married Miss 
Mary REIDTBROCK, who was born in 1837 in Germany. They [John P. and Mary 
(REIDTBROCK) RUNKEL] have had six children, four of whom are living: (1) 
Frederick, (2) Amelia, (3) Emma, and (4) Henry.

Mr. [John P.] RUNKEL has industriously followed farming ever since his 
arrival in the county, and by good management and strict attention to 
business he has accumulated a good property. He owns 500 acres of fine land 
in two farms, both very well improved, and in 1878 he built a new house, in 
which he is now [text published 1879] living.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly