David Funderburk, one of the prominent and substantial
retired farmers of Staunton, Macoupin County, was born in Dorchester
township, Macoupin County, Illinois, December 6, 1849. He is a son of Laney
and Elizabeth (Adcock) Funderburk.
The Funderburk family is of
German origin, its founders in America coming to this country at a very
early day. The father of our subject, who was born in North Carolina,
removed to Jefferson County, Illinois, in young manhood, engaged in farming
and died at the age of 40 years. He married Elizabeth Adcock, a native of
Tennessee, who survived her husband, dying at the age of 66 years, after
rearing her nine fatherless children. These were: Mrs. Eveline Weeks,
deceased; Mrs. Serena Kennedy, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Sawyer, deceased;
Mrs. Amelia Ann Williams, of Staunton, Macoupin County; James M., deceased;
George, deceased; Henry, of Jerseyville, Jersey County; John, deceased; and
David of this sketch.
Left a babe of six months at the death of his
father, our subject had much to contend with during his childhood and youth.
When other boys were attending school, he was working, and, in looking back
to the time when the lad worked a whole day putting up hay for 15 cents, and
drove oxen at $7 per month, one is able to see that the persevering industry
and patience of the child laid the foundation stones on which the man built
his fortune. Mr. Funderburk never found the time to learn to either read or
write, but he is one of the most substantial men in his part of the county
and has always taken pleasure in helping others along a little and has never
turned the hungry from his door. His life of economy, industry and good
management can teach valuable lessons to those who wish to learn. When he
was 16 years old, he bought a team of cattle and earned $300 by hauling wood
and then bought a tract of 15 acres of timber land, to which he kept adding
until his farm is now worth $15,000. In contains 255 acres and is situated
in sections 25, 35 and 36, Dorchester township. He also owns seven good
dwellings in Staunton and a brick block. His time has been occupied since
his retirement in March, 1903, in looking after his real estate interests.
On May 2, 1872, Mr. Funderburk was married to Matilda Hausam, who
was born in Madison County, Illinois, March 24, 1856, and is a daughter of
John and Mary Hausam. They have these children: Mary, wife of Henry Bargfeld
of Staunton; Ida, who married George Allen of Staunton, and has four
children; Moda L., who married Charles Mclntire, of Staunton, and has two
children; Julia, who married Walter Perslow, and has two children; and Laney
and Pearl, who live at home.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 392-393.
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