Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 322

ABRAHAM FUNK, one of the early settlers of Muscatine County, Iowa, was born in Manor Township, Lancaster Co., Pa., Oct. 5, 1803, and is a son of Abraham and Catherine ( Fessler ) Funk. When an infant his father died, and he was taken by some friends of the family, with whom he remained until seventeen years of age. He was then apprenticed to the trade of cooper for a term of three years, but the gentleman to whom he was apprenticed being accidentally killed he did not serve but two years, though he afterward worked at the trade for some time. After the death of his father, his mother married John Fatton, by whom she had four children, of which number Sarah and Jacob are still living.

The subject of this sketch was twice married, his first union being with Miss Maria Martin, in Pennsylvania, May 3, 1827. They were the parents of four children : Daniel M., born Feb. 23, 1828, died in 1886; Catherine, born May 11, 1830, married William Bond, who is now deceased, and she resides in Muscatine, Iowa; Maria, born Jan,1, 1833, wedded Christian Whistler, of Scott County, Iowa; Susanna, born Sept.4, 1835, is the wife of Jacob Erb, of this city.

On the 24th of September, 1835, Mrs. Funk, who was a member of the Lutheran Church, departed this life. Mr. Funk was again married on the 10th day of May, 1836, becoming the husband of Miss Magdelena Springer, and four children have been born to them: Barbara, born Feb. 13, 1837, married Joseph Wilhelm, and died in 1822; Sarah, born March 10, 1839, is the wife of Rev. Peter Hessler, a minister of the United Brethren Church, located at Salem, Ore.; Rebecca, Born March 30, 1841, is the wife of Alonzo S. Whiting, who resides near St. John's, Mich.; Abraham, born Jan. 1, 1845, is employed as an engineer on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Cedar Rapids. He was a soldier in the late Rebellion, having enlisted in the 35th Iowa Infantry, in which he served with honor, participating in many hard-fought battles.

In 1850 Mr. Funk removed with his family to Muscatine County, Iowa. He made the journey on flat-boats to Pittsburgh, where he embarked on the ill-fated, " Belle of the West," which burned on the way, causing the loss of 150 lives. Mr. Funk's good were destroyed, and two of his children were seriously burned. The fire swept away his hard-earned accumulations of the years, and once more he had to begin at the very beginning and save anew. Soon after reaching this county he purchased 400 acres of land, with the understanding that parties from his old home would take a part of it, but they failed to do so, being deterred from coming on account of the scare from the fire. At that time Mr. Funk was in the prime of life, and though having suffered a severe loss, with indomitable energy he set to work with the intention of making a home for his family and paying for his land. By the time six years were passed the last cent had been paid, and he erected one of the largest barns in the county. In 1882 he retired from active life and removed to the city of Muscatine, where he is now resting from his labors, and enjoying his hard-earned gains.

Mr. and Mrs. Funk are members of the United Brethren Church. For over a half-century they have traveled through life together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its trials and its happiness. Forty-six grandchildren and forty-five great-grandchildren give them their love and their respect, receiving in return a hearty greeting and a cheery smile. Since coming to this county Mr. Funk has witnessed almost its entire growth, and has seen its broad, uncultivated prairies transformed into beautiful homes and farms. As a citizen, he is loyal and true; as a neighbor, liberal and accomodating; as a husband, kind and affectionate; as a Christian, devoted and faithful.


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