Hiram Runnels

Hiram George Runnels (December 15, 1796 – December 17, 1857) was a U.S. politician and businessman from the state of Mississippi.

Hiram George Runnels
9th Governor of Mississippi
In office November 20, 1833 – November 20, 1835
Preceded by	Charles Lynch
Succeeded by	John A. Quitman
State Auditor of Mississippi
In office 1822-1830
Preceded by	John Richards
Succeeded by	Thomas B.J. Hadley
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
In office 1829 1841
Personal details
Born	Hiram George Runnels December 15, 1796 Hancock County Georgia, U.S.
Died	December 17, 1857 (aged 61) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic

He was a Democrat who served as the ninth Governor of Mississippi from November 20, 1833 to December 3, 1835.

Runnels was born on December 15, 1796, in Hancock County, Georgia. At an early age he moved with his parents to Mississippi. During the Indian Wars he served for a short time in the United States Army. On March 3, 1821, President James Monroe nominated Runnels to be Collector of the Customs and Inspector of the Revenue for the District of Pearl River.

From 1822-30, he was state auditor of Mississippi. In 1829, he was elected to represent Hinds County in the Mississippi Legislature. He was defeated in the race for the office of governor of Mississippi in 1831, was elected governor in 1833, and ran unsuccessfully again in 1835. Runnels's service as president of the Union Bank in 1838 led to a dispute wherein he caned then-Mississippi Governor McNutt in the streets of Jackson and dueled with Mississippian editor Volney E. Howard in 1840.

In 1841, he again represented Hinds County in the legislature. Runnels moved to Texas in 1842 and became a planter on the Brazos River. He represented Brazoria County in the Convention of 1845. He died in Houston on December 17, 1857, two days after his 61st birthday, and was buried in Glenwood Cemetery.

Runnels County, Texas was named in his honor.

Runnels was the uncle of Texas Governor Hardin Richard Runnels, and William R. Baker, a Texas State Senator was married to Runnels’ niece, Hester.

External links

• Hiram George Runnels from the Handbook of Texas Online