Attorney and Pullman Company executive, 1888-1922. Born in New Hampshire in 1844 and educated at Amherst College, John Sumner Runnells was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1869. After serving two years as a U. S. Consul in England, Runnells practiced law in Iowa where he mainly represented railroad companies in accident and injury claims cases. In 1888, Runnells joined the Pullman’s Palace Car Company as General Counsel and in 1911, he succeeded Robert T. Lincoln as President of the Pullman Company. While President, Runnells oversaw the modernization and expansion of the firm’s car manufacturing facilities and the introduction of pension and relief systems for all employees. Runnells retired from this post in 1922, but retained his connection with the Pullman Company as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Runnells died in 1929.

Primarily business papers concerning Runnell’s legal career with the firm of Runnells & Walker, Attorneys, in Des Moines, Iowa, 1881-1887, but also a few Pullman Company-related files. Includes account books, calendars, incoming correspondence, a court logbook, journals, legal case files, and letterpress copybooks documenting his work as an attorney representing the railroads. Pullman Company records include 1901 court briefs, salary information, and miscellaneous notes.