My Genealogy Hound

LA FAYETTE FUNK, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Shirley; was born on a farm in Funk’s Grove Township in 1834, and remained there, working for his father (herding cattle and plowing prairie with ox-teams as was customary in those days) until 1860, when he began improving his present farm of 2,000 acres, given him by his father. One remarkable feature connected with Mr. Funk’s settlement is that on the 14th of May, 1824, his father settled in the Grove; on the 14th of May, 1860, La Fayette began improvement, and on the 14th of May, 1864, he settled on it with his wife. As stated, he began work on this farm, which was then a “raw prairie,” which they have improved, and made one of the most beautiful farms in the county. Mr. Funk’s means, by which he improved his farm, was acquired by his rearing and marketing cattle. Many of his lonely hours of night were spent on the prairie herding cattle, while the distant howl of the wolves brought fear and uneasiness upon him. He was married in Clark Co., Ohio, Jan. 12, 1864, to Elizabeth Paullin; born in Clark Co., Ohio, April 4, 1841; they have two children - Eugene D.; Edgar P., deceased. Mr. Funk has held office as Trustee six years; Commissioner of Highways, fourteen years; Town Clerk, four years; Supervisor of Funk’s Grove Township, elected in 1874. and still holds that office. He owns stock in the National and National Stock Banks of Bloomington.