William Runkle, son of Lewis and Elizabeth Runkle, was born in Culpepper County, Va., on the 13th day of March, 1813. Lewis Runkle was a native of Shenandoah County, Va., and son of Peter Runkle, who bore a distinguished part in the War of the Revolution. Lewis Runkle emigrated to Indiana in 1826, and later, moved to Iowa, where his death occurred about the year 1854. He was by trade a tanner, but after coming to Indiana, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he carried on until his death. His wife died in Bartholomew County in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Runkle were the parents of ten children, four of whom are now living. William Runkle spent the years of his youth and early manhood in Virginia and Indiana, and grew up amid the active scenes of pioneer life. His early educational training was received in the old-fashioned log schoolhouses. He remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, and then began farming for himself, first on rented land, and two years later on 120 acres which he purchased in Needham township, where he now lives. In 1837 he married Mary Hougham, daughter of Aaron and Catherine Hougham, natives respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee. Mrs. Runkle was born in Fayette County, December 18, 1818, and died in Johnson County. Two children were the result of this marriage. Mr. Runkle’s second marriage was solemnized in 1873, with Rachel McClean, daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Farnsworth) McClean, of Green County, Tenn. To this union no children were born. His wife died February 5, 1876, and on the 13th of February, 1877, he married Sarah Ann McClean, a sister of his former wife.