SEWELL S. FARWELL
was born in Ohio, April 26, 1834, came to
Iowa in 1852 and made his home in Jones County. When the Civil War
began he entered the military service and was commissioned captain of Company
H, of the Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry and before the close of the
war was promoted to major. He participated in the battles of Chickasaw
Bayou, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge,
Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Sherman's March to the Sea. In
1865 he was elected on the Republican ticket to represent Jones County in the
State Senate, serving four years. In 1869 he was appointed by President
Grant Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Second District of Iowa for the
term of four years. In February, 1875, he was appointed Collector of
Internal Revenue, serving six years, in the same district. In 1880 he
was nominated by the Republicans for Representative in Congress and was
elected, serving one term.
JOSEPH D. FEGAN is one of the pioneers of Iowa, having lived in the
State since 1849. He was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, July
26, 1831, and had but few educational advantages, learning the tailor's trade
when fourteen years of age. In 1849 he came West, and stopped at
Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa. In 1850 he removed to Princeton,
Scott County, and later settled in Clinton County. In 1862 Mr. Fegan
enlisted as a private in Company I, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteers and was
promoted to sergeant-major, participating in twenty-one engagements and
several sieges, He was in the battles of Arkansas Post, Lookout
Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and in the
sieges of Vicksburg, Atlanta and Savannah and the march to the sea. Mr.
Fegan was promoted to first lieutenant and adjutant of the regiment in 1863,
and later became captain of company B, of the regiment. He was
commissioned by President Lincoln Assistant Adjutant-General in the regular
army. He was chairman of the Commission appointed by Governor Jackson
to locate and mark the position of Iowa troops engaged in the battles of
Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge and was also one of the commissioners
appointed by Governor Shaw to locate and mark the lines of Iowa troops at the
siege of Vicksburg. Captain Fegan was formerly a Democrat but since the
Civil War has affiliated with the Republicans.
ANDREW J. FELT, pioneer journalist, was born at Victor, Ontario
County, New York, December 27, 1833. He was educated at Hamilton
Academy, later studying law, and came to Iowa in 1855 before being admitted
to the bar. Mr. Felt located in Clayton County and the following year
became associate editor of the North Iowa Times of McGregor. He was
admitted to the bar in Chickasaw County and established the Cedar Valley News
at Bradford, attending to law business and editing his paper. In 1860
he renewed his editorial connection with the North Iowa Times until the Civil
War began when he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Iowa Volunteers. At
the Battle of Belmont, he was taken prisoner, remaining in captivity for a
year, when he was exchanged and joined his regiment at Corinth. After
returning from the army Mr. Felt established the Public Record at West Union,
and in 1867 the Nashua Post which he conducted until 1874 when he purchased
an interest in the Waterloo Courier. He was originally a Democrat but
became a Republican during the war period. He was a delegate to the
National Republican Convention at Chicago which, in 1868, nominated General
Grant for President and was chosen one of the secretaries. Later he
removed to Kansas where he became prominent in public affairs and was elected
Lieutenant-Governor of the State.
JAMES P. FLICK was born at Bakerstown, Allegheny County,
Pennsylvania, August 28, 1845. When he was seven years of age his
parents removed to Iowa, making their home in Wapello County. In 1857
they became residents of Taylor County which has since been Mr. Flick's home.
He enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Infantry in April, 1862, and served in
the Civil War as a private soldier. Studying law after his return he
was admitted to the bar. He was elected on the Republican ticket to the
House of the Seventeenth General Assembly and was District Attorney for six
years. In 1888 he was elected to Congress in the Eighth District and
reelected in 1890, serving four years.
NORTHWESTERN IOWA
ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION
VOLUME III
1804-1926
G. W. FUNK Industry and perseverance have been dominant qualities
in the career of George W. Funk, who comes of sturdy pioneer stock, and
through the force of his own powers has overcome the obstacles which have
barred his path to success. He is now numbered among the largest land holders
of Cherokee county and for fifty-seven years has resided within its borders,
contributing toward the development of the fertile land and fine ranches of
the great empire of the west. He was born June 13, 1842, in Pennsylvania, and
his parents, John L. and Elizabeth Funk, were also natives of the Keystone
state. They migrated to Iowa in 1850 and established their home in Henry
county, in which they lived for three years. They spent a similar period in
Iowa City and then moved to Hardin county, in which the father engaged in the
practice of medicine for many years. He was well versed in the science of his
profession and as one of the pioneer physicians of that district he rendered
valuable service to his fellowmen. His sympathetic nature, genial manner and
kind heart won him a secure place in the affections of all to whom he
ministered and his demise was deeply regretted. he had preceded his wife to
the home beyond and both were buried in the Hazel Green cemetery. To their
union were born eight children, two of whom survive. Mr. Funk was a boy of
eight when the family came to Iowa, in which he was educated, and in 1861,
when a young man of nineteen, enlisted in the Fourteenth Regiment of
Volunteer Infantry. He was later transferred to the western army, becoming a
member of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, and for three years faithfully served the
Union. Although he participated in much hard fighting he never received a
injury and was honorably mustered out at Sioux City, Iowa. He returned to
Hardin county, where he engaged in farming until 1868, when he took up a
homestead of eighty acres in Cherokee county. He also preempted an
eighty-acre claim and his first building was a frame house, fourteen by
sixteen feet in dimensions. he closely studied soil and climatic conditions
in relation to the production of crops and as agriculture progressed as a
science he advanced with it. His well directed labors were rewarded by
abundant harvests and he was also a successful stock raiser, specializing in
high-grade cattle. He still owns eight hundred and forty acres of valuable
farm lands in the county but since 1910 has lived retired in Cherokee, having
amassed a substantial sum, and has erected two attractive homes, thus adding
to the improvement and ornamentation of the town. In 1878 Mr. Funk married
Miss Alice A. Parks, who became the mother of three children, but Arthur A.,
an agriculturist, is the only one now living. Mr. Funk's second union was
with Miss Catherine Parks, a sister of his first wife, who is deceased. He is
an adherent of the republican party and during his term of service of the
township board was instrumental in securing many needed improvements. He has
two grandchildren and relates to them many interesting accounts of his
experiences in the early days when this was a wild and undeveloped region,
far removed from the advantages of civilization. he rejoices in what has been
accomplished and approaches the evening of life with a contented mind and
tranquil spirit, knowing that he has done his best, shirking no
responsibility and faithfully performing every duty.
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