Benjamin Runner (April 23, 1806 — May 12, 1878)
| Parents: |
Adam Runner and Elizabeth (Betsy) Miller James Cruse and Sally Unknown |
| Daughter: | Sarah Ann Runner |
Benjamin Runner was born in Boyle County, Kentucky, in the south central part of the state on April 23, 1806.[1] His wife, Sidna Ann Cruse, was born three years earlier, on August 13, 1803 in Virginia. They married on January 9, 1829 in Warren County, Kentucky.[2]
Picture of Benjamin Runner and Sidna Ann Runner from a website located at http://www.runner-genealogy.com/gen/adamrunner.html
They had eight children, all born in Warren County. The names, birthdates and dates of death of each follow.
| Harriet Elisabeth Runner | July 4, 1831 | December 29, 1894 |
| Sarah Ann Runner | December 30, 1834 | March 4, 1919 |
| William M. Runner | June 7, 1837 | August 12, 1924 |
| Mary Jane Runner | December 15, 1839 | March 26, 1911 |
| Susan Runner | January 1, 1844 | June 25, 1930 |
| Louisa Francis Runner | July 3, 1848 | March 10, 1904 |
| Emily Runner | Aft. August 21, 1850 |
The 1850 United States Census for Warren County, Kentucky lists him as a 44-year old farmer who was born in Kentucky. It shows his wife as Sidney (sic) Ann Cruse and as being 46 years old and two years older than her husband. She was born in Virginia.[3]
In 1860, the census showed her—as Sidna Cruse Runner—to be 50 years old, and 4 years younger than her husband.[4] Amazingly, she had managed to age only four year in the preceding decade!
With Benjamin and Sidna were several of their children: William, age 22 and listed as farming; Jane, age 17; Susan, age 15; Louisa, age 13; and Emily, age 10. Also living with them was a twelve-year old boy named George Dean. Both Benjamin and Sidna were listed as persons over the age of thirty who could not read and write.
In 1870, the census showed her to be 60 years old and 5 years younger than her husband.[5] She did, however, manage to age ten years in the preceding decade, keeping pace with the rest of the universe.
Benjamin died on May 12, 1878 and Sidna died on November 12, 1882, both in Warren County, Kentucky. They are buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Warren County.