The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-12-22

cE A contributor to the Frenchtown
Press is furnishing that paper with sketches
of prominent deceased citizens of Kingwood
township We clip the following two from
it, One of the persons referred to-, (Hon.
John Runk, was resident of this city for
some years before his DEATH
JOHN RUNK
was the son of Samuel Runk, who lived and
died at Midtown, about one mile southwest
of the Kingwood Hotel. Mr.. Runk was q
merchant at Kingwood, but, miller by pro-
fession, and about the time he arrived at
twenty-one years Of age he married Miss
Tenbrook. He first entered public life as
member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders,
in 1925, and served eight years, he being
member at the time the present Court House
at Pennington was built. In 1880 he was the
Federal candidate for Sheriff, Wilson Bray
the jackson, and John Rockafellar the Adams
candidate. Bray received in the county 1889
votes, Rockafellar 1917, Runk 607. Bray was
elected. In Kingwood township Bray re-
ceived 1853 votes, Rockafellar 40, Runk 154.
Mr.. Runk and Mr.. Bray were near neighbors
In 1888 Mr.. Runk was defeated in securing
the nomination, but in 1885 he secured the
nomination and was elected Sheriff by split
in the Democratic party, he defeating Jesse
G. Reed, the Democratic candidate He
served three years. 1t was during the term
of Office that the County of Mercer was created.
In 1874 he received the Wing nomination TO r
Member of Congress, and. after an exciting
contest, was given the certificate of member
ship. This, however, was contested by
General Isaac G. Farlee, his competitor, who
had already served one term. After tedious
investigation the House OF Representatives
declared Mr.. Runk elected by the casting vote
of their Speaker, John w. Davis, of Indiana.
Before the next election the Congressional
District was changed, and Mr.. Runk was de-
feated for reelection by Joseph L. Edsall,
of Sussex County.
In 1850 Mr.. Runk was nominated for Gov
ernor by the Wing Convention. His COM
petitor was DIR. George F. Fort of Monmouth
County, who was member of the Methodist
Church, and he was hunted by his opponents
for that very reason. The s.political bugles'
of Hunterdon County were sounded, loud
blast that Fall was heard from them. During
the canvass he received the name of " Honest
john" At this time George @. Seymour was
the editor and proprietor OF the Hunterdon
Democrat, and in that paper, it was alleged
by his friends, spirit of unreasonable
unfairness and of persecution filed its columns
during the canvass in regard to Mr. Runk.
Dr. Fort was elected Governor. Mr.. Runk
moved to Lambertville, and joined his for
tunes WIFI thc l1cuioCtdbtS parry, abN WIN
the exception Of being Director Of the
Board of Chosen Freeholders he retired from
political life.
Mr.. Runk was one of the Presidential cleo
tors in 184S, and voted for General Zachary
Taylor for President. In early life he con
nected himself with the Masonic Order, and
remained member until his death. Thi.
was the only secret order he ever was mem
Der of except the "Know Nothings" OF
Native American Order which, for a shor
time, had a large membership in Kingwoot
township.
Mr.. Runk died in Lambertville, Septembc
| 90, 1872, aged 50 years, honored and respect
ed by all who knew him.
WILSON BRAY
was an active business man an honest, up
| right dealer, thereby making himself YER