Post by Marc LeVine on Aug 17, 2006 16:51:20 GMT -5
In Memory of Peter Runyon, former mayor
Veterinarian had record of
service in Freehold Borough
By dick metzgar
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Dr. Peter F. Runyon was one of the most popular individuals ever to serve as a borough official, according to old newspaper accounts and those surviving oldtimers who remember him.
His name will be mentioned this year as Democratic Mayor Michael Wilson seeks election to a fifth full term.
Wilson, who has been Freehold Bor-ough’s mayor since early 1985, would be in position to surpass Runyon’s tenure of 20 years at the helm of the community if he is re-elected in November.
Runyon served in elective office for more than 25 years.
He was a member of the first council when the borough incorporated, splitting off from Freehold Township in 1919, and was elected mayor in November 1945, succeeding the borough’s first mayor, William S. Holmes.
Runyon was born in the Stelton section of Edison in 1886, and died in early November 1954 at the age of 68. He is also fondly remembered for another role he served in for 42 years, that of a practicing veterinarian. He had his office in his home on West Main Street and is still remembered by those who remember him as Dr. Runyon, the vet.
"He was a well known local veterinarian when this was still a farming area," said Samuel Sagotsky, 94, of the borough. "He was a tall, rangy man, well over 6-feet tall. I remember that my father raised cattle and Dr. Runyon treated them on a regular basis. I had a little pet dog whose nose was injured when it ran into the street in front of a car, and I once had a little sheep that had its leg broken. He fixed them both."
Sagotsky was elected to the council just as Runyon was retiring and recalled serving as the borough’s municipal judge while Runyon was still mayor.
"I remember him well," Sagotsky said. "He had a lot of class with a good sense of morality and people looked up to him."
When Runyon presided over his last meeting in December 1945, the council presented him with a resolution commending him for his years of service to the borough. He was later honored at a testimonial dinner at the American Hotel which was attended by more than 200 residents.
He was credited with helping the fledgling borough establish its roots during the 1920s, helping the community maintain financial stability during the Great Depression in the 1930s and guiding the town through the difficult years of World War II in the 1940s.
Veterinarian had record of
service in Freehold Borough
By dick metzgar
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Dr. Peter F. Runyon was one of the most popular individuals ever to serve as a borough official, according to old newspaper accounts and those surviving oldtimers who remember him.
His name will be mentioned this year as Democratic Mayor Michael Wilson seeks election to a fifth full term.
Wilson, who has been Freehold Bor-ough’s mayor since early 1985, would be in position to surpass Runyon’s tenure of 20 years at the helm of the community if he is re-elected in November.
Runyon served in elective office for more than 25 years.
He was a member of the first council when the borough incorporated, splitting off from Freehold Township in 1919, and was elected mayor in November 1945, succeeding the borough’s first mayor, William S. Holmes.
Runyon was born in the Stelton section of Edison in 1886, and died in early November 1954 at the age of 68. He is also fondly remembered for another role he served in for 42 years, that of a practicing veterinarian. He had his office in his home on West Main Street and is still remembered by those who remember him as Dr. Runyon, the vet.
"He was a well known local veterinarian when this was still a farming area," said Samuel Sagotsky, 94, of the borough. "He was a tall, rangy man, well over 6-feet tall. I remember that my father raised cattle and Dr. Runyon treated them on a regular basis. I had a little pet dog whose nose was injured when it ran into the street in front of a car, and I once had a little sheep that had its leg broken. He fixed them both."
Sagotsky was elected to the council just as Runyon was retiring and recalled serving as the borough’s municipal judge while Runyon was still mayor.
"I remember him well," Sagotsky said. "He had a lot of class with a good sense of morality and people looked up to him."
When Runyon presided over his last meeting in December 1945, the council presented him with a resolution commending him for his years of service to the borough. He was later honored at a testimonial dinner at the American Hotel which was attended by more than 200 residents.
He was credited with helping the fledgling borough establish its roots during the 1920s, helping the community maintain financial stability during the Great Depression in the 1930s and guiding the town through the difficult years of World War II in the 1940s.