My Genealogy Hound

John E. Rundell, county court clerk of Barton County, Mo, is a native of Macoupin County, Ill., born November 22, 1853, being the son of John E. and Roxanna (Fay) Rundell, natives, respectively, of New York and Illinois. When a young man, John E. Rundell, Sr., came to Illinois, and was here married to Miss Fay. He built the first house in Plainview, Ill., and there established himself in mercantile business. He died in the prime of life, and the mother afterward married John Loper, with whom she came to this county in 1873, and where she is still living. John E. Rundell is the only child living born to the first marriage. He received his education in the common school, and a course at Blackburn University, Carlinville, Ill. In 1874 he came to this county, served a year as deputy county court clerk, then, having clerked for a time in a store, he opened a grocery store on an extensive scale, doing an annual business of $25,000. After following this business for about six years, he found himself about $10,000 in debt, and of course thought it best to abandon the business. He was fortunate in liquidating all the debts, and afterward engaged in the loan, insurance and real estate business. In 1886 he was elected county court clerk, which position he is holding at the present time, and is one of the foremost men of the county. In his politics he affiliates with the Democrats. In 1878 Mr. Rundell married Miss Florence Smith, a native of Iowa, who bore him two children, a son and a daughter. Mr. Rundell has a fine poultry farm near Lamar, and takes great pride in his blooded fowls.