Funke, William 1855 - 1947

FUNKE, FELLER, DESSEL, FOX, FREICH, HOLTHOUSE, BOCK, SCHISSEL

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/25/2014 at 20:48:58

William Funke

Among Winneshiek county's most progressive, able and successful native sons is numbered William Funke, who since 1871 has been engaged in farming in this part of Iowa, his activities in the development of two farms forming important elements in the general agricultural development. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres of land lying partly, in Military township and partly in Springfield and his well-directed and practical labors have made it one of the finest properties in that locality.

He was born in Winneshiek County, Washington Township, on the 15th of August, 1855, and is a son of Clemence and Gertrude (Feller) Funke, natives of Germany. The father came to America in June, 1853, and after spending one year in St. Louis came to Winneshiek County, locating in Washington Township. He there remained until 1865 and then moved to Military township, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred on the 6th of June, 1884. His wife survives him and makes her home in Winneshiek county. To their union were born ten children: Henry, a farmer in the vicinity of Calmar; William, of this review ; Clemence A., who is connected with the Winneshiek county poor house; Mary, the wife of Frank Dessel, of California; Lizzie, who married Joseph Fox, of Norfolk, Nebraska; Herman, a resident of Cottonwood, Idaho; Annie, the wife of Louis Freich, of Ossian, Iowa; John, who makes his home in Cottonwood, Idaho; Josephine, who married A. Holthouse, a farmer in Washington township; and Gertrude, who has passed away.

William Funke acquired his education in the public schools of Washington and Military townships and in his childhood assisted with the operation of the homestead. At the age of twenty-one he purchased one hundred and fifty-two acres in Springfield Township and for thirteen years thereafter developed and improved this property. When he sold it he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Military Township, and to this has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres, one hundred and twenty of which are located in Springfield Township and the remainder in Military Township. Upon this fine property Mr. Funke engages in general farming and stock-raising and success has steadily attended his well-directed labors through the years, his interests being today profitable and important. In addition to his farming operations he is also a director of the Farmers Produce Company of Ossian and his ability is widely recognized in business circles.

On the 4th of November, 1876, Mr. Funke married Miss Louise Bock, who died May 13, 1910. They became the parents of eleven children: Clemence J., of Dubuque, Iowa; Stephanie, the, wife of Joseph J. Schissel, of Military township; George and Joseph, both of whom reside in Hutchinson county, South Dakota; and Tillie, Annie, William H, Mary, Leo, Adolph and Angeline, all at home.
Mr. Funke is a stanch supporter of the Democratic Party and has held responsible public positions, serving for twelve years as township trustee and for four years as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Catholic Church, is affiliated with the Catholic Order of Foresters and is a man of exemplary moral character, respected in business circles and honored and esteemed wherever he is known.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

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