Biographical Sketch of John N. Funk, Nemaha County, KSGenWeb Digital Library

KSGenWeb - The Primary Source for Kansas Genealogy

KSGenWeb Digital Library

Biographical Sketch
of
John N. Funk
Nemaha County, Kansas

Page Design, HTML Coding and Layout - Copyright©1998- by Kenneth Thomas, All Rights Reserved.
The KSGenWeb Project logo Copyright©1996- by Tom & Carolyn Ward, All Rights Reserved.
For the limited use of the KSGenWeb Project. Permission is granted for use only on an Official KSGenWeb Project page.
The Official USGenWeb Project logo designed by Linda Cole.

The following transcription is from a 750 page book titled "Genealogical and Biographical Record of North-Eastern Kansas, dated 1900. These have been diligently transcribed and generously contributed by Penny R. Harrell, please give her a very big Thank You for her hard work!

John N. Funk

Among the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to Nemaha county is John N. Funk, whose birth occurred in Fairfield county, of the Buckeye state, November 6, 1840. His father, Henry Funk, was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and when a young man removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he owned and cultivated a farm.

He married Elizabeth Hampshire, a native of Perry county, Ohio, and of English descent. In 1841 he removed to Putnam county, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring when he had attained the age of seventy-five years. His wife survives him and is in her eighty-third year; two of their seven children are deceased.

In his political views Mr. Funk was a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his allegiance to the principles of the party. He belonged to the New Light church and his honesty and integrity in all the affairs of life commended him to the confidence of a large circle of acquaintances.

The Funk family is of German lineage and was founded in Pennsylvania by five brothers of the name. Christ Funk, one of the number and the grandfather of our subject, removed to Virginia, where he carried on agricultural pursuits.

In taking up the personal history of John N. Funk we present to our readers the record of one who is widely and favorably known in Nemaha county. He was the second child and son in his parents' family and was only about three months old when taken to Putnam county, Ohio. There he was reared, spending his boyhood days in a manner not unlike that of most farmers' lads of the period. Through the summer months he worked in the fields and during the winter season pursued his education in the public schools for three months.

His father was given the benefit of his services until his marriage, which occurred in October, 1860, Miss Magdalene Brenemen becoming his wife. She too, was of German lineage and was born and reared in Fairfield county, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Funk began their domestic life on the farm in Putnam county, where they remained until 1869, when they came direct to Nemaha county, Kansas. The following year they located upon the farm which is still their home. There were no improvements upon the place and in order to provide shelter for his family Mr. Funk erected a little cabin, 14 x 20 feet. From morning until evening he worked in the fields, placing the wild land under the plow, planting croops and in the autumn garnering the harvests.

He built fences, erected substantial buildings and secured all other modern accessories and improvements. He also extended the boundaries of his farm until his landed possessions now aggregate 332 acres. In connection with general farming he has also engaged in feeding and selling stock.

Seven children, four daughters and three sons, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Funk: Abraham L., who is engaged in the real estate business in Chicago; Elizabeth A., the wife of O. L. Schmidt, of Seneca, Kansas; Lydia M., the wife of Ed Sohn, a farmer of Gilman township; and Sarah C., James E., Eva O. and Frederick W., all at home.

The first three children were born in the Buckeye state, but the others are all natives of Nemaha county. In ante bellum days Mr. Funk gave close attention to the political situation of the country and the attitude of the south in regard to slavery and secession, and when the Republican party was formed he became one of its stalwart advocates.

After the inauguration of the Civil War he manifested his loyalty to the Union by enlisting in Company F, 151st Ohio Infantry, with which he served for one hundred days. He had four brothers who also "wore the blue" in defense of the stars and stripes. He has ever exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and on that ticket he has been elected to several local offices, including that of road supervisor and school director.

In his business undertakings he has prospered and has acquired his property as the result of carefully executed labor along well defined lines of business principle.

Last update: Friday, August 02, 2024 18:40:12

The Digital Library of the KSGenWeb is a non-commercial entity dedicated to free access to records of genealogical value. All documents contained herein may be freely copied for personal and library use, as long as the KSGenWeb Statement of Use remains attached. These records may not be published in any format, including electronic (web pages or CD's) and print, without prior written consent of the contributor. In order to insure continued free access, violators of this policy will be vigorously pursued.

We invite all contributions of transcribed records with genealogical value. This could range from wills and letters from your personal family records to indexes of your county's marriage records. There are many, many more examples, of course. Anything you have that you are willing to contribute will be gratefully accepted. .

We also accept any non-copyrighted printed materials that you have access to and would like to see transcribed and placed on-line. If the material is copyrighted and you are the copyright holder, please include written permission for use by The KSGenWeb Digital Library.

KSGENWEB DIGITAL LIBRARY PAGE
KSGENWEB HOME PAGE