Ada, Ohio                                                                                                             July 6 1958

The following is an exact copy of the obituarie of Andrew Runser as published in the Ada Record of Oct. 11, 1899.  

“Andrew Runser was born Nov. 30, 1815, in Alsace France, now a part of Germany and died Oct. 1, 1899 after a long and patiently borne affliction with paralysis. His parents, Seraphin Runser and Catherine Runser, hearing of the advantages in America and experiencing the evils of almost continuous war and knowing their sons would be forced into the service of the army, emigrated with their family of six children to this country in the summer of 1832. They left their village home at Elsas, located near the boundry between France and Germany and traveled overland in a direct line, passing through the outskirts of Paris to Havre where they took a sail vessel laden principally with emigrants bound for New York. Their experience on the ocean was a thrilling one. Their vessel became lost and after having been driven about by storms and adverse winds for 16 weeks, their supplies having been exhausted and it was thought all must perish, they reached New York. They passed up the Hudson to Albany, thence by Erie Canal to Buffalo, where they landed in the month of August. The family lived in Buffalo for about six weeks. It was here where the subject of this sketch made up his mind to be a blacksmith and immediately commenced to learn the trade. The family then went to Cleveland,Ohio, remaining about four weeks and thence to Massillon where the eldest son was apprenticed as blacksmith. He gave his master five years of faithful service for which he received a set of tools and a suit of clothes. He possessed a very superior knowledge of his trade and found ready employment at good wages at general blacksmithing and in the machine shops at Massilon. He remained at Massilon nine years and then went to Sharpsburg, Pa. in 1546, where he remained untill Oct. 1850, when he came to his Marion Township home which he had previously selected in the fall of 1848. Here he lived untill after his wifes death when he made his home with his daughter, Mrs Hulds Pugh. He was married Feb. 20, 1840, to Isabel McDowell whose death occured June 21, 1898. To this union were born six children four sons and two daughters, all of whom, excepting one son, are living. In his early life he was baptized in the Roman Catholic faith but on his coming to America he affiliated with no church until 1868 when he united with the M. E. Church under Rev. James Delisle, at Kingsley Chapel. He was a firm believer in practical Christianity and took great pride in the building of the old Kingsley Church, and also took a great interest in the building of the old M. E. Church at Ada. He was one of the pioneer friends of the country schools in his Township and took a firm stand in establishing good schools. He held several offices in the early days of Marion Township, tendering his services with almost no charge, believing that public office is a public trust and that a good citizen should give freely a portion of his time to his country. Beginning life a poor German boy, by industry and frugality he accumulated considerable property. He was a tireless worker, hammering iron while others slept. To him the clinking of the anvil was music and the flame and roar of the forge an inspiration. One thing in this connection we shall never forget from its novelty. Some years ago he described how he used to fit shoes to oxen, a custom in vogue in the early history of the Township. He was a man of most abstemious habits. He lived the golden rule, doing unto others as he would have others do unto him. No man ever questioned his honor or integrity. His life was one of good to his wife, his children and to his friends. The memory of such a man is a benediction to us all, and the world is better by his having lived in it.

His funeral took place Oct. 3 rd. at the residence of his daughter, conducted by Revs. S. W. Scott and T. C. Christopher. His remains were laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery. The Editor for many years enjoyed the pleasure of knowing this good man and if he is so fortunate as to meet in the great reunion beyond the grave, it will be a pleasure to strike hands with Andrew Runser, he of sainted memory,  whose life and thoughts were pure, whose deeds were of justice, 1ove and charity.  Such men are the salt of the earth1 the bone and sinew of the nation.

We have heard his neighbors bear testimony to his moral worth, not only in recent but remote years, when he extended a helping hand to those who  needed it, he had confidence in his fellowmen and a heart that beat in  sympathy with their needs and sufferings.”

The above was written by Agnew Welsh, for many years the Editor of The Ada Record. It seems to me that no finer tribute could be paid to any man than that contained in the above article.  

                                     Jonathan 0. Runser