DAVID H FUNK

A highly cultivated and valuable farm of two hundred and fifty-seven acres on section 27, Gilman township, Nemaha county, is the property of David H. Funk, who is accounted one of the leading agriculturists of his community. The glory of our American republic is that it offers boundless opportunities to young men of determination and ambition and the majority of our public citizens are those who have won the title of "self-made." Such a one is Mr. Funk, and the record of his life will prove of interest to our readers, for he is widely and favorably known in his community. His birth occurred in Putnam county, Ohio, September 30, 1844 and he is the third in a family of seven children whose parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Hampshire) Funk. His boyhood days were spent in the county of his nativity and the public schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges, he was trained to habits of industry and economy, working with his father until about twenty years of age, when he started out in business for himself. During the Civil war, however, he put aside his personal considerations and responded to his country's call, becoming a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for one hundred days. He, however, remained at the front for four months and then received an honorable discharge, after which he returned to his home.

Mr. Funk began farming on rented land, and as a companion and helpmeet in life's journey he chose Miss Sarah L. Guffy, a native of Putnam county and a daughter of Aquilla and Jerusha Guffy, who were also natives of Ohio. The wedding was celebrated in August, 1863, and the young couple took up their abode upon a farm in Putnam county, Ohio, where they remained until their removal to Nemaha county, Kansas, in 1868. In the following February, Mr. Funk purchased the farm which is now his home. A little log cabin, 12x14 feet, was the only improvement upon the place and therein they began life in the west in true pioneer style. The following fall our subject erected a small frame residence, 16x22 feet, and since that time he has continued the work of progress and improvement until he is to-day the owner of one of the most valuable and attractive farms of his township. In addition to the two hundred and fiftyseven acres of land which he owns in Nemaha county, he has two hundred acres in Marshall county, Kansas, and is successfully engaged in general farming and in stock and grain dealing.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Funk: Frank, a native of Ohio, who is now engaged in the grocery business in Portland, Oregon; Carl, who is a graduate of a commercial college and is now assisting his father in business; Ralph, who is a student in a medical college in Kansas City; and Chester and Charlotte, who are still with their parents and attending the district schools. With the exception of the eldest son, all are natives of Nemaha county. In his political views Mr. Funk is independent, supporting the man rather than the party. For almost a third of a century he has witnessed the development of this section of the state and has aided in its growth and progress, contributing in many substantial ways to its advancement along material and social lines. When we consider the fact that he came to Kansas with a capital of only about seven hundred dollars and note that to-day he is one of the most substantial farmers in Nemaha county, his success seems most marvelous, yet it all has been obtained along legitimate lines and his career has been a most honorable one.