DR. A. LEGRAND RUNION, a successful and popular physician of Canonsburg, Penn., is a representative of an old and prominent pioneer family of Pennsylvania. His ancestors were among the number of persecuted French Huguenots, whose wrongs have been so graphically pictured in the immortal lines of Longfellow's "Evangeline." During the Huguenot troubles in Europe, the family went to Bavaria, and in the latter part of the eighteenth century one Richard Runion, leaving his native land, came to America, locating in New Jersey. Prior to his immigration he had married a young countrywoman, Margaret Jensenie, who bore him children as follows: Charles, Richard (a soldier in the war of 1812, and buried at Meadville), Jonathan, Rachel (buried at Bedford, Penn.), and Sarah (buried at Carlisle, Penn.). The father was a plasterer by trade; in church relation he was a Seceder. Charles Runion, son of Richard and Margaret Runion, was born in New Jersey, and passed his boyhood on the home place. He learned the plasterer's trade, and followed that vocation throughout life. He married Martha Moorehead, a native Chambersburg, Penn., and their children were: Richard, William C. (a resident of Carrollton, Ohio), Charles S., Jonathan, Wallace, Margaret (widow of George L. Kennedy, who was a captain in the war of the Rebellion, and died from the effects of wounds received in the battle of the Wilderness), Mary, Martha (wife of Isaac Harsh), and Rebecca (married to Hugh McCart). Of this family Richard, William C., Jonathan and Margaret are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Runion moved to West Middletown, Penn., some years after their marriage, remaining there three years, then went to Carrollton, Ohio, where he died.
Richard Runion was born May 15, 1819, in Chambersburg, Penn., where his boyhood was passed. He then learned the saddler's trade in Carrollton, Ohio, following that business nine years, and afterward entered a general store, retiring from business in 1869. When a young man he was united in marriage with Dorothy Prosser, a resident of Carrollton, Ohio, and five children were born to their marriage, namely: A. LeGrand, Etta (wife of George A. Carns), Viola, Florence and Martha. Mr. Runion has been a Whig and Republican, having served as a member of the council and trustee of Canonsburg. His wife died March 2, 1892.
Dr. A. LeGrand Runion was born September 16, 1850, in Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ohio He remained at home until eighteen years of age, then worked eleven months in a printing office at Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, afterward entering the Free Press office in Carrollton, same State. In November, 1872, he entered the employ of T. M. Potts, Canonsburg, Washington Co., Penn., with whom he remained until the autumn of 1874. On June 2, 1874, he selected as a helpmeet Nancy E., daughter of Howe Dunlap. After their marriage the young couple resided one year in Martin's Ferry, Belmont Co., Ohio, and he then took a course at the Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. After leaving this, Dr. Runion followed the drug business for four months in Sharon, Mercer Co., Penn., then opened a drug store in Canonsburg, this county. He resided here two years, studying medicine, and teaching chemistry and physiology in Jefferson Academy. At the end of that time he took a three months' course of study in the Homeopathic Medical College, followed by two years at the Western Pennsylvania Medical College, receiving his degree in March, 1888. During his course at the Medical College he was the assistant of the resident physician of the Allegheny County General Hospital, and after graduation located in Canonsburg, where he has achieved a well earned a reputation as a skillful and intelligent physician, having a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Runion has made a special study of pathology, bacteriology and microscopy. Politically he is a Republican, and in church connection a zealous member of the Chartiers U. P. Society.
Text taken from page 1136 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]