My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC K. FUNDERBURGH. He with whose name we introduce this biographical outline may be properly designated as “a gentleman to the manor born.” He is in the enjoyment of large means, and has a pleasant home located one-eighth of a mile east of the corporation limits of New Carlisle, Clark County. There he is surrounded by all the comforts of life, and lives in a manner much less pretentious perhaps than his means might justify.

Mr. Funderburgh was born near Donnelville, in Bethel Township, Clark County, this State, December 27, 1839. His parents, Daniel and Diana (Keplinger) Funderburg, were also natives of Clark County, where the father accumulated a large property and spent his entire life in farming pursuits. He, however, sojourned one year in Mt. Aetna, Ind., but finally concluded there was no location so desirable in all respects as his native place. He was a self-made man in the broadest sense of the term, working his way up to an honorable position in life, and became one of the leading men in his community. From boyhood until his death he was an active member of the German Baptist Church. When becoming a voter he identified himself with the old Whig party and after its abandonment, became a Republican.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jacob Funderburgh, by name, and his estimable wife, were natives of Maryland. They emigrated to Ohio in the early part of the present century, settling near the present site of Donnelsville, Clark County, where they spent the remainder of their days. Daniel, the father of our subject, was one of the younger of a large family of children. The mother who was born in Bethel Township, Clark County, also died there. To her and her husband there were born ten children, viz: John, Saloma, Eliza, these are all deceased; Isaac K., Jacob, Anthony; Abram, deceased; Diana and Daniel, twins, the latter of whom is deceased; and George K.

The subject of this notice was the fourth child of the parental family. He was reared on the farm, and obtained only a limited education pursuing his studies in a log schoolhouse, built in primitive style, under the imperfect system of that day. He grew up strong in body and healthy in mind and chose farming for his vocation. He has been very successful, and is the owner of three hundred and twenty-four broad acres on section 28, Bethel Township, just outside the corporation of New Carlisle. This is looked upon as one of the most valuable farms in Clark County. Besides this property Mr. Funderburgh also owns one hundred and sixty acres of tine grazing land in Pike Township, and three hundred and twenty acres near Stewart, Col.

Mr. Funderburgh for many years was engaged in the live-stock business, buying selling and shipping extensively. Some years ago he established a livery business in New Carlisle, which has also grown to goodly proportions, and which is the leading establishment of its kind in the town. He is the lessee of the flouring-mills in New Carlisle, which he operates to good advantage, and he is also engaged as an undertaker and in the furniture business.

Among the men who are the first to support any worthy enterprise, Mr. Funderburgh has also been found a leader. He is liberal and public-spirited, and has performed no unimportant part in the growth of his town. Besides the interests already mentioned, he has a share in two steam threshing outfits which do a lively business in the fall of the year. Without making any pretentions to education, Mr. Funderburgh, by keeping his eyes open to what is going on around him, is fully qualified to transact any ordinary business, having been endowed by nature with a fund of strong common sense, which is at all times reliable. He gives liberally to charitable objects, and in proportion to his means has done as much for the poor and unfortunate as any man in the county.

Although not connected with any religious organization, Mr. Funderburgh believes in the establishment and maintenance of churches, and especially favors the German Baptist Church, of which he is a regular attendant, and to which the various members of his family belong. For many years he has been connected with the Masonic fraternity in which he is a Knight Templar. He was a member and President of the School Board at New Carlisle, during the erection of the High School building, and in the spring of 1890 he was elected a Trustee of Bethel Township on the Republican ticket, receiving the largest majority ever given a candidate for this office.

Nearly twenty-nine years ago Mr. Funderburgh was wedded to Miss Hester Frantz, the wedding taking place at the bride’s home in Bethel Township, May 9, 1861. This lady was born January 13, 1844, in Bethel Township, and is the daughter of the Rev. John and Anna (Ohmart) Frantz, who were natives of Ohio, and are now deceased. Mr. Frantz was a minister of the German Baptist Church, and attained to some distinction in his calling. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born nine children, namely: William, Samuel, Harry, Ursula, Charles, Irwin, Edward, Anna and Clarence Samuel died in infancy, and Irwin died at the age of fifteen years. William, Harrison, Ursula and Charles are married and live in this county, the others are at home with their parents.