When Our History Was Saved By John Milton Runk

There are many men who deserve credit for saving our local histories, and I am thankful to all of them. But considering how frequently I reference Bell's History of Northumberland County, It's is J.M. Runk that I am often the most thankful for.

John Milton Runk was born in  November of 1852, a son of Samuel Runk and Margaret Rosehill.  In 1872, while a schoolteacher, Runk began compiling local history for Chicago Publishing Houses.  Late he worked with State Librarian Dr. William Engle, on compiling and publishing the local histories of Pennsylvania.  Still later, when working on volumes of History of the State Of Delaware, he collaborated with John Meginness (to whom we owe so much thanks for our History Of Lycoming County.)  In January of 1891, J.M Rank was working with Herbert Bell, the "historian in charge" for The History Of Northumberland County. In all, Mr. Runk assisted in the compilation and publication of thirty large books on local and State history.  He then went on to own a newspaper, and then to establish a trolley line.

In 1886, J.M. Runk married Maria Brehm.  They had three children, Milton B. Runk, June M. Runk, and Milton Charles Runk.

In 1921, Runk began telling his close friends and family that he was sure he would not live more than the allotted three score and ten years. He was in good health at the time, and yet insisted he was not for this world much longer. A year later, 9 days before his 70th birthday, John Milton Runk passed away.  It seems that this man who spent so much time preserving the past, also had some insight into the future.

 The Miltonian, January 16, 1891

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History Books Published By J. M Runk - 

• Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pa. 1896; Chambersburg, Pa., J. M. Runk & Company
• Huntingdon County Pennsylvania Biographies Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897
• Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley : comprising the counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early settlers. (Chambersburg, Pa. : J.M. Runk & Co., 1897)
• History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, edited by Herbert C. Bell, Chicago, ILL.: Brown, Runk & Co., 1891.
• History of Venago County

JOHN MILTON RUNK was brought up at farm labor. When a little over sixteen years old he began to teach school, a profession he followed for ten years. He was educated in the public schools, the Kokomo Normal and the National Normal school of Lebanon, Ohio, then under the able management of Alfred Holbrook. 

In 1878, while teaching school in McLean county, Illinois, Mr. Runk began compiling local history for Chicago publishing houses,Col. D. W. McClung; Dr. P. S. Connor; and Rev. A. S. Dudley. He was subsequently associated with the late Dr. William H. Egle, for many years the efficient State librarian, in the compilation and publication of valuable works on local history in Pennsylvania, and still later he published a large work in two volumes on the State of Delaware, in which he was assisted in the editorial work by John F. Meginness of Williamsport, and Miss Rebecca Schively and C. W. Cremer of Chambersburg.

 In all, Mr. Runk assisted in the compilation and publication of thirty large books on local and State history.

 In September, 1899, John M. Runk purchased from Hon. M. A. Foltz, Public Opinion, a leading Republican newspaper in Chambersburg, and for more than a year he gave his undivided attention and time to that paper, being assisted by George O. Seilhamer and Herbert C. Foltz. Public Opinion was founded by M. A. Foltz in 1869, and he has often said that Mr. Runk was the only man who could have induced him to sell the establishment for the reason he believed in Mr. Runk's honor and ability, to maintain its already high standard.

Mr. Runk sold a half interest in the paper to John W. Hoke, and for years thereafter these gentle men kept Public Opinion in the front rank of Franklin county journalism. They established the morning Opinion, which is now a fixture, and a favorite local newspaper, with a circulation all over Franklin county and in various States. 

During Mr. Runk's efforts is journalism in Chambersburg, he became interested in a scheme to build a trolley road in Chambersburg and Franklin county. In fact he was alone for more than a year in advocating such a convenience. But finally the seed which he had sown took root, and companies sprang up like mushrooms, wanting the privilege to build a trolley line in Chambersburg. Mr. Runk secured the franchise from the borough authorities for his company, and a road has been built and is in operation.

 During the coldest winter this county has known for over forty years, Mr. Runk was superintendent of the road, and made a remarkable success with poor equipment.

 An appreciative public will see that no effort can rob Mr. Runk of the credit of establishing a trolley road in Chambersburg and to and through Fayetteville. He has made his monument in this cultured locality. As one evidence of the sacrifice he was will ing to make to accomplish what he had set out to do, it may be stated that he was in duced by members of the trolley company, to sell his newspaper at a loss to himself, so as to give his whole time to their enterprise.

John M. Runk and wife have had three children:

I. MILTON B., deceased.

2. JUNE M.

3. JOHN CHARLES

From The Biographical Annals Of Franklin County Pa

"Of German descent.  Soon after marriage John formed a partnership with Richard C. Brown and engaged in the publication of historical books. Six years later he was one of the editors and publishers of an elaborate history of Cincinnati and Hamilton county, Ohio, in which he and his associate were assisted by some of the most eminent writers of that city, among them being John B. Jewett, W. H. Venable, author of Venable's History of the United States; Hon D. Thew Wright; Rev. Dudley Ward Rhodes;Col D. W. McClung; Dr. P. S. Connor; and Rev. A. S. Dudley.  In all, Mr. Runk assisted in compilation and publication of 30 large books on local and state history." -  Franklin County, Pa", 1905