Runk was born in Milltown (later, Idell), Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He attended the district schools and took charge of the mills and general store on his father's property in Milltown. He was a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders from Kingwood Township from 1825 to 1833. He was an unsuccessful candidate for sheriff in 1830, and served as high sheriff of Hunterdon County from 1836 to 1838.
Runk was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-ninth United States Congress (March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847) in an election he won by just 16 votes. His opponent Isaac G. Farlee contested the election on the grounds that Princeton students, ineligible due to residency, had swung the election. A majority of the investigating committee found in Runk's favor, but when his case came before the full House, a motion to remove him and leave the seat vacant failed only after the Speaker cast a tie-breaking vote in his favor, making this the closest contested election in the history of the House. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1846, and ran unsuccessfully against DemocratGeorge F. Fort for Governor of New Jersey in 1850.
He moved to Lambertville, New Jersey in 1854 and engaged in the milling business and mercantile pursuits. He died in Lambertville and is interred in Rosemont Cemetery, Rosemont, Hunterdon County, N.J.
john, runk, july, 1791, september, 1872, american, whig, party, politician, represented, jersey, congressional, district, united, states, house, representatives, from, 1845, 1847, member, house, representatives, from, jersey, districtin, office, march, 1845, m. John Runk July 3 1791 September 22 1872 was an American Whig Party politician who represented New Jersey s 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1845 to 1847 John RunkMember of the U S House of Representatives from New Jersey s 3rd districtIn office March 4 1845 March 3 1847Preceded byIsaac G FarleeSucceeded byJoseph E EdsallPersonal detailsBornJuly 3 1791Hunterdon County New JerseyDiedSeptember 22 1872 1872 09 22 aged 81 Lambertville New JerseyPolitical partyWhigProfessionPolitician Runk was born in Milltown later Idell Hunterdon County New Jersey He attended the district schools and took charge of the mills and general store on his father s property in Milltown He was a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders from Kingwood Township from 1825 to 1833 He was an unsuccessful candidate for sheriff in 1830 and served as high sheriff of Hunterdon County from 1836 to 1838 Runk was elected as a Whig to the Twenty ninth United States Congress March 4 1845 March 3 1847 in an election he won by just 16 votes His opponent Isaac G Farlee contested the election on the grounds that Princeton students ineligible due to residency had swung the election A majority of the investigating committee found in Runk s favor but when his case came before the full House a motion to remove him and leave the seat vacant failed only after the Speaker cast a tie breaking vote in his favor making this the closest contested election in the history of the House He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1846 and ran unsuccessfully against Democrat George F Fort for Governor of New Jersey in 1850 He moved to Lambertville New Jersey in 1854 and engaged in the milling business and mercantile pursuits He died in Lambertville and is interred in Rosemont Cemetery Rosemont Hunterdon County N J External links edit nbsp Biography portal United States Congress John Runk id R000509 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress John Runk at The Political Graveyard John Runk at Find a Grave Party political offices Preceded byWilliam Wright Whig Nominee for Governor of New Jersey1850 Succeeded byJoel Haywood U S House of Representatives Preceded byIsaac G Farlee Member of the U S House of Representatives from New Jersey s 3rd congressional districtMarch 4 1845 March 3 1847 Succeeded byJoseph E Edsall nbsp nbsp This article about a New Jersey politician is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Runk amp oldid 1191202009, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
