Theodore Runyon graduated from Yale University and co-founded the Scroll and Key Society. He was admitted to the New Jersey bar and began practicing law in Newark. He served as a brigadier general in the New Jersey militia, commanding the Fourth Division of the Army of Northeastern Virginia in early 1861. Runyon was brevetted as a major general in the New Jersey militia and later elected to the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Fort Runyon was named in his honor, reflecting his military contributions.

Theodore Runyon combines a nuanced approach to military leadership with a distinctively localized ideological stance. His command during the early Civil War and the subsequent honor of having Fort Runyon named after him highlight a calculated focus on regional defense. Runyon's involvement in veterans' affairs further suggests a commitment to honoring and supporting those who serve, revealing a unique blend of regional pride and military valor in his political identity.