Memorials › George Washington Runyan

George Washington Runyan

6 Aug 1853 – 11 May 1920

Birth6 Aug 1853
Death11 May 1920
CemeteryMason City Cemetery
Mason City , Custer County , Nebraska , USA
Added byChuck Munn on 06 Oct 2006
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14778264

Bio

Son of Joseph Stephen Runyan of Harrison County, West Virginia and Martha Maria Ferguson of Tennessee. Husband of Medora Harriet Amsberry of Knoxville, Marion County, Iowa; married on 27 February 1879 in Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska. "In the death of George W. Runyan at the home of his son, Glenn E. Runyan, Tuesday evening, May 11th, Custer County lost one of its most useful and foremost citizens. Mr. Runyan's death came as a shock to his host of friends all over this part of the state. He had been in poor health for a number of years, but there was nothing to indicate a sudden change for the worse and no one realized that the end was so near at hand. He was taken violently ill on the evening of the seventh and gradually weakened until the final summons came. He was conscious almost to the moment of dissolution and faced the inevitable with the calm resignation of a man who has put his house in order and to whom the end had no terrors. With many things yet undone, with his intellectual powers still undimmed, he passed from this earthly abode leaving as a rich heritage, a splendid record of achievement and the memory of a life well spent. George W. Runyan was born in Indiana, August 6, 1853 and at the time of his death had reached the age of 66 years, nine months and five days. When a child, his parents moved to Iowa where he lived for several years. In 1876, Mr. Runyan came to Columbus, Nebraska, carrying mail there for about a year then going to work for William F. Cody and Frank North on the Dismal. After a time, he went to Howard County, Nebraska and filed on government land near the present site of St. Libory. This he shortly relinquished and in 1878 came to Custer County. On February 27, 1879, Mr. Runyan was united in marriage to Medora H. Amsberry and to this union, seven children were born: Mrs. Ada M. Watson of Lodgepole, Nebraska; Merle M. and James Willis Runyan of Broken Bow; William A. Runyan of Oshkosh; and Mrs. Blanche Rumery and Ira G. and Glenn Runyan of Mason City, all of whom were present at the time of his death. Shortly before her marriage, Mrs. Runyan had filed on a quarter section of land in Custer County, this being the land lying east of Main Street in Mason City. She proved up on this land and the family lived on it until 1889 when they moved to a farm northeast of Mason City. After about a year, the family moved to Iowa, but returned soon after to Mason City, living on the farm which had been homesteaded by the father of Mrs. Runyan, William F. Amsberry. In 1894, Mr. Runyan moved to Missouri, but returned to Custer County two years later, where he has resided ever since then, making his home at Broken Bow since 1915. During his residence at Mason City, Mr. Runyan was actively identified with the religious, social and business life of the town and community. Together with Secretary of State D.M. Amsberry, he organized the Baptist Church of Mason City and for years was one of its strongest supporters. He served as the first postmaster of Mason City and discharged his public duties with the same efficiency that characterized his private affairs. Besides his wife and children, Mr. Runyan is survived by the following brothers and sisters: LeRoy Runyan of Oakwood, Illinois, Isaac Runyan of Colfax, Iowa, Dennis Runyan of Haines, Oregon; S.A. and James Runyan of Mason City, Nebraska; and Joseph R. Runyan and Mrs. W.B. Longmore of Callaway, Nebraska. The funeral took place at the Baptist Church of Mason City last Friday afternoon. The services were conducted by the Rev. L.R. Bobblitt, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Broken Bow, assisted by Rev. J.S. Harris of this place. The closed business doors, the vast concourse of people, the presence of prominent citizens from all parts of the county attested the esteem in which he was held. Six stalwart nephews acted as pallbearers and the body was tenderly laid to rest in the Mason City Cemetery. Quiet, modest, honorable, useful in life, it can be fittingly said now that he has passed away, George W. Runyan was one of God's noblemen."

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