Summary Information
Richard B. Runke Papers
1903-1929
- Runke, Richard B., 1877-1930
Stevens Point Mss V
0.8 c.f. (2 archives boxes)
UW-Stevens Point Library / Stevens Point Area Research Ctr. (Map)
Papers of Runke, a Merrill, Wisconsin, businessman, attorney, and postmaster who encountered financial problems and committed suicide in 1930. Included is personal and family correspondence, brief business records, evaluations of many local businesses and individuals made for credit agencies, a file of postal addresses, circa 1916-1917, of Lincoln County residents, and other papers concerning postal affairs.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-stpt000v ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Richard B. Runke, prominent Merrill attorney and businessman in the early years of this century, was born in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin in 1877. His father, Henry Runke, Sr. (1852-1932), immigrated to the U.S. from Pommern, Germany and settled in Algoma, Wisconsin. He was instrumental in the development of agriculture in northeast Wisconsin and pioneered in the raising of alfalfa. In 1875 Henry Runke married Minnie Bruemmer. Richard was one of 16 children.
Unlike his father, Richard Runke did not choose farming as his principal occupation, although his hobbies included raising dairy cattle and keeping bees. After attending the University of Wisconsin, from which he received his A.B. degree in 1900, Runke served as principal of the Argyle (Wisconsin) High School from 1901 to 1903. Following study at the University of Michigan Law School and private law reading, he was admitted to the bar in 1903. Runke settled in Merrill and began his law practice in partnership with, successively, Thomas H. Ryan (until 1912) and Carl Naffz (1914-1918). Runke served as postmaster from 1913 to 1921, when he resigned due to his inability to devote sufficient time to his postal duties. Runke also owned and managed the Allen Insurance Agency, which specialized in land titles and real estate law, and was president of the Lincoln Farm and Timber Company. Among his many additional interests and organizations were the following: president, Merrill Library Board; member, Izaak Walton League; member, Board of Trustees, Presbyterian Church; and member, Rotary Club.
Described by one contemporary as a man of forceful character, Runke seemed to enjoy affluence and luxuries, although at times he seemed to be in financial difficulties. Eventually, Runke overextended his financial resources, and. despondent over money matters, he committed suicide on March 19, 1930, by exploding a stick of dynamite held in his hand. Runke was married to Anna (Nannie) Peacock in 1906. Their children were Glenn R., Richard P., Ruthjane, and Robert C.
Scope and Content Note
Although the papers of Richard B. Runke illustrate all facets of his career and interests, the legal and insurance agency files are rather meager. Runke's personal correspondence files are quite comprehensive and revealing of family and, occasionally, business activities. It is interesting to note that Runke's papers contain a few references to pro-German sympathies, but that no mention of World War I or the political events preceding it is to be found.
The papers of Richard B. Runke are divided into three groups: Personal Correspondence, Business Records, and Postmaster's Papers.
Runke's Personal Correspondence, 1903-1924, includes incoming and outgoing letters concerning Runke's family and his business affairs such as land transactions, loans, and dairy cattle interests. The correspondence also reveals the charities, clubs, and periodicals which interested him. Among the family correspondents are the following:
- Anna Peacock Runke (Nannie) -- wife
- Glenn R. Runke -- eldest son
- Richard P. Runke (Dick, Dick, Jr.) -- son
- Ruthjane Runke (Ruth) -- daughter
- Henry Runke (Henry Sr.) -- father
- Minnie Runke (Mother Runke) -- mother
- Walter (w. Nettie) -- brother
- Ernest (w. Minnie) Alpine, Washington -- brother
- Rufus (w. Ruth) -- brother
- Henry, Jr. -- brother
- Oliver -- brother
- Martha (Mrs. Fred Witte), Darrington, Washington -- sister
- Alma (Mrs. Schmeling) -- sister
- Marie (Mrs. Emil Maedke) -- sister
- Nan (Mrs. Charles Coons) -- sister
- Edith (Mrs. Royal H. Lamson), Fortsen, Washington -- sister
- Edna (Mrs. Harry Schley) -- sister
- Ora (Mrs. Elmer Duerst) -- sister
- Robert Peacock, Argyle, Wis. -- brother-in-law
- Jennie Peacock, Argyle, Wis.
- John Peacock, Argyle, Wis. -- father-in-law
- Frank E. Tree, South Wayne, Wis. -- brother-in-law
- Orville L. Tree, South Wayne, Wis.
- Ernest Bruemmer, Algoma, Wis. -- uncle or cousin
- Louis D. Bruemmer, Algoma, Wis. -- uncle
- Grace Bruemmer, Algoma, Wis. -- cousin
Business Records consist of legal papers, 1909-1929, a small collection of correspondence, and miscellany. Also included in this series is correspondence, 1913-1924, between Runke (with partners Ryan and Naffz) and various Chicago mercantile credit agencies concerning credit ratings of Merrill businesses and individuals. Evidently Runke and his law partners evaluated the credit standing of many local businesses and individuals; a file of questionnaires, 1912-1914, completed for the credit agencies, is also present. These documents may be a valuable source of information, as they list the date; name, age, occupation, wages, and marital status of an individual, and give a subjective report on the finances, reputation and reliability of a business or person, and often include a recommendation on whether (or how much) credit should be extended.
The file of Postmaster's Papers, 1912-1920, includes incoming and outgoing letters, many pertaining to complaints and problems of individuals, others containing queries to and advice from federal postal officials, usually concerning the establishment of new postal routes. A file of postal addresses, circa 1916-1917, of Lincoln County residents, is also included.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by the Lincoln County Courthouse, Merrill, Wis., 1971. Accession Number: M71-354
Processed by Menzi Behrnd, August 23, 1978.
Contents List
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Box
1
Folder
1-9
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Personal Correspondence, 1903-1924
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Business Records
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Box
2
Folder
1
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Legal papers, 1909-1929
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Box
2
Folder
2
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Correspondence with credit agencies, 1913-1924
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Box
2
Folder
3-4
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Credit reports, 1912-1914
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Box
2
Folder
5
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Allen Insurance Agency, 1918, 1920
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Postmaster's Papers
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Box
2
Folder
6-7
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Correspondence, 1912-1920
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Box
2
Folder
8
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Address file, circa 1916-1917
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