Biographical Sketch of

Elijah Rundell

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 641


Eijah Ovett Rundell, who is engaged in general farming and cranberry culture on sections 9 and 10 in the 
town of Aurora, Waushara County, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., on the 10th of July, 1846, and 
is a son of Nehemiah D. and Lucy A. (Brooks) Rundell, who were also natives of the Empire State.  His 
father was born on the 7th of April, 1821, and on the 14th of April, 1844 wedded Miss Brooks, who was 
born March 2, 1821.  They came to Wisconsin in 1855, settling first in Fond du Lac, where they remained 
for over five years.  In 1860 they came to Waushara County and located on a farm on sections 9 and 10 in 
the town of Aurora, where Mr. Rundell engaged in the culture of cranberries to a remarkable degree.  He 
supported the Republican party by his ballot, but has never been an active politician.  He died of heart 
disease in February, 1881, in the 57th year of his age.  Just and honorable in all his relations in life, 
he was honored and respected by all who knew him and was deeply mourned by a large circle of friends and 
relatives.  His wife still survives him and is living on the old homestead farm.
 
Our subject was the only child of the family and was reared to the occupation of farming.  The greater part 
of his life was spent in this State and he is numbered among the early settlers of Waushara County.  He 
acquired his education in the district schools of the neighborhood and on the death of his father took charge 
of the farm and the care of his widowed mother.  In 1874 he was united in marriage with Miss Julia Balch, 
a native of Wisconsin, born in Fond du Lac County, in December, 1851, and a daughter of John and Mary A. 
(Stoddard) Balch.  They are numbered among the pioneers of 1848, having removed thither from Ohio, but are 
now residents of Wood County, this State.  The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rundell has been blessed with two 
children--Nina, who is now fifteen years of age; and Hayes Allen, aged thirteen years.
 
Mr. Rundell is the owner of a well-improved farm of 160 acres, 100 acres of which he devotes to the raising 
of grain and other farm products, while the remaining sixty acres, which is marsh land, is devoted to cranberry 
culture, in which he is quite successful, that branch of the business yielding him a good income.  He has a 
commodious and beautiful home surrounded by shade and ornamental trees and the entire appointments indicate him 
to be a prosperous farmer.  He is enterprising and progressive and the success with which he has met is due to 
his own efforts.  He is a strong and inflexible adherent of the Prohibition party, believing the legalized 
liquor traffic to be a blot on the Nation's honor which can only be erased by its banishment altogether.  His 
wife is a member of the Congregational Church and a firm believer in its doctrines.  This worthy couple are 
widely and favorable known and their many friends delight to gather at their hospitable home.  Socially, Mr. 
Rundell is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 56, of Berlin, and of the K. of P. Lodge, No. 7, of the same 
city.






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