Person Page 3,786

Biography (findagrave.com):

Godfrey Runyon was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, November 22, 1833. His parents became pioneers in Ohio and came to Illinois in March 1853, locating in Noble Township, Richland County. At the age of 22, Mr Runyon married Miss Emily Morrison who was born in England, February 11, 1838. Her parents were Lewis and Lydia (Tullock) Morrison.

Mr & Mrs Runyon had the following children: Lewis, born March 5, 1858, married on February 13, 1884 to Jodie Junkins who was born in Ross County, OH and whose parents were David & Mary Ann Junkins.

Lewis and Jodie Runyon had 3 children:Morrison, born Dec 6, 1885, Ernest born Aug 28, 1887; and one child Clarence who died at the age of 2 1/2 months.

The remaining children of Godfrey & Emily Morrison Runyon were: Amy, wife of John Somer (Sonner); Minnie who died at the age of 16 years and Bessie.

There were 5 children in the Morrison family: Mrs. Runyon, Mrs Eliza Barney of Kearney, Ne; Mary of Woodford Co, IL; Mrs Lydia Barney of Kearney, Ne; and William H, a telegraph operator and grain buyer in LaFayette, Indiana.

Bibliography: Portrait & Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties, page 418.

Obituary (findagrave.com):

Dr. Joseph C. Shafer, son of John Washington and Charity Malissa Palmer Shafer, was born at Noble, Ill., Sept. 17, 1880; departed this life at his home in Noble, Jan. 19, 1931, age 50 years, 4 months and 2 days.

June 20, 1907, he was united in marriage to Minnie M. Sonner. To this union were born three children, Harold R., Robert R. and Toby.

Toby preceded him in death Feb. 4, 1925. His father, mother, and one brother, Richard, all preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his going, his devoted wife; his two sons; Harold R. and Robert R.; two grandsons, Joe Leland and Don Hubert, all of Noble; one brother, William A. Shafer, of San Antonio, Tex.; two sisters, Mrs. Hannah Osterman and Mrs. Sue Henry, both of Noble, Ill.

His entire life was spent in and around Noble, excepting the time that he spent in his schooling at other places. After finishing his schooling, he taught school in the Noble vicinity for seven or eight years. He then attended the Eclectic Medical School at Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating from this school, and serving his interns at other places, he began his medical practice here at Noble. He also passed the pharmacist examination and entered the drug store, combining his medical profession and pharmacy together, he successfully conducted both the remainder of his earthly stay.

He was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Noble in his early life and remained one of it's faithful and loyal members to the end, always ready to support it every way. He had served in about all the official positions. He became a member of the Masonic Fraternal organization, Noble Lodge #362, May 12, 1906. He being in the age of the country's call in 1918, registered for the service if needed.

Having to leave the number of his brother physicians here, he can be with that great physician of all mankind.

The funeral services were conducted from the Methodist Episcopal Church at Noble, by the Pastor Rev. Sanders, and the Rev. J. W. Tucker, of Maune, Ill., Rev. Joakim, Pastor of the Christian Church, Noble, and Mr. C. E. Palmer, of the A. F. & A. M. The Masonic organization had their very beautiful ceremony at the cemetery. The body was laid to rest in the Noble cemetery.

The Noble News

Noble, IL

January 29, 1931.