Pulaski County ArArchives Biographies.....Runyan, Joseph P. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 June 15, 2009, 2:21 pm

Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

JOSEPH P. RUNYAN, M. D.
    Dr. Joseph P. Runyan, the sole owner of St. Luke's Hospital of Little Rock
and a man of high professional standards and attainments, is also keenly
interested in the welfare of his city and stands at all times for those
activities and interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.
His labors have been a most helpful factor in promoting the welfare and progress
of the capital city as well as in upholding those high standards which have ever
characterized the medical profession of Little Rock. Dr. Runyan was born on a
farm in Columbia county, Arkansas, January 29, 1S69, and is one of a family of
three sons and a daughter, whose parents were William and Paulina (Boyd) Runyan.
By a former marriage of his father Dr. Runyan had four half brothers and two
half sisters, all deceased. The father was born on a farm in Talladega county,
Alabama, in 1830, and the mother's birth occurred on a farm in the same county
in 1844. They were married in Columbia county, Arkansas, in 1866, Mr. Runyan
having removed to that county in the year 1858. He devoted his life to
agricultural pursuits and was ranked with the representative and successful
farmers of Columbia county to the time of his death, which occurred in 1873. His
political views were in accord with the principles of the democratic party. His
widow long survived him, departing this life November 18, 1903. Of their family
two of the sons are living in Little Rock, Joseph P. and I. O. Runyan.

    While spending his youthful days under the parental roof Dr. Runyan attended
the country schools of Columbia county and his more advanced education was
obtained in Tulane University, where he pursued his medical course, being
graduated in 1890. He has specialized in surgery throughout his professional
career and has made steady and substantial progress, ranking high among the
ablest surgeons of the state. In 1911 he became the founder and promoter of St.
Luke's Hospital of Little Rock and in 1916 was joined in operating the hospital
by Dr. H. H. Kirby, while a third partner, Dr. Sheppard, was admitted in 1917.
This is a private hospital owned by Dr. Runyan and rented to the firm of Runyan,
Kirby & Sheppard. It is splendidly equipped with all modern appliances for the
care of medical and surgical cases and its patronage taxes the capacity of the
institution.- Dr. Runyan has held many professional positions of honor and
trust. He was president of the state board of health of Arkansas from 1904 until
1906. He had previously, from 1901 to 1904, been secretary of the Arkansas
Medical Society and in the latter year was elected to the presidency. filling
the position for one term. He was also secretary of the state medical board of
the Arkansas Medical Society from 1903 to 1906. He was dean and president of the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Little Rock from its organization in 1906
until it was merged with the medical department of the Arkansas University in
1912. Dr. Runyan belongs to the Pulaski Medical Society, the Arkansas State
Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Southern Medical
Association, the American Obstetrical and Gynecological Association, the Rock
Island Railway Surgeons Association and the American Railway Surgeons
Association. He likewise belongs to the Southern Railway Surgeons Association,
being entitled to membership in these last named organizations by reason of the
active work he has done as a railway surgeon.

    On the 5th of June, 1895, Dr. Runyan was married to Miss Callie Jackson, who
was born in Columbia county, Arkansas, January 7, 1870. Dr. Runyan is a democrat
and fraternally is connected with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the
Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious faith is indicated in his
membership in the Second Baptist church, in which he is serving as a deacon. He
takes the keenest interest in all that has to do with the welfare and progress
of his fellowmen and is now president of the Civitan Club of Little Rock. He was
the first person chosen to this office and reelected thereto. He is also the
vice president of the International Association of Civitan Clubs for the
improvement and beautifying of cities. The motto of all such organizations is
"Builders of good citizenship." He withholds his support from no plan or project
that looks to the betterment of Little Rock and has been the instigator of many
projects which have been of direct value to the city. He possesses initiative
and enterprise and when he becomes convinced that an idea would be of practical
value to the capital he at once seeks to put this idea into force and his plans
and methods are at all times far-reaching and resultant.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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