Isaac A. Funderbuek, who is the oldest citizen of
Dorchester township, Macoupin County, to which he came as a member of a
pioneer family in 1830, was born in the vicinity of Lancaster, South
Carolina, April 18, 1822. He is a son of John F. and Rachel (Laney)
Funderburk.
The Funderburk family originated in Germany and there
the great-grandfather of our venerable subject was born, in the city of
Leipsic; when he came in very early days to America, he settled on a
plantation near Lancaster, Lancaster County, South Carolina. He reared a
family of 12 children, all of whom, with the exception of one, lived to
exceed 80 years. Two of his sons served seven years and one three months, in
the colonial army. John Funderburk, his eldest son, was born in South
Carolina, served seven years in the Revolutionary Army and removed in
advanced age to Rome, Georgia, where he died, at the age of 96 years. He
married Mary Larriman, who was born in Yorkshire, England. They had three
children: John F. and Daniel (twins) and Isaac. Daniel Funderburk served all
through the War of 1812.
John F. Funderburk was born in 1786, near
Lancaster, South Carolina, and died on the present farm of our, subject at
the age of 84 years and was buried in the Funderburk Cemetery. He was a
"Minute Man" in South Carolina during the War of 1812. He married Rachel
Laney, who was born in South Carolina, and was a daughter of Titus and
Christine Laney, the former of whom served in the Revolutionary War. They
had a family of seven children, of whom our subject, the youngest, is the
only survivor. In April, 1828, he started with his family to drive to
Illinois, to make a new home in the far West, and reached Olive township,
Madison County, November 14, 1828, after having been detained three months
by sickness in Madison County, Tennessee, while passing through that State.
They remained in Madison County, Illinois, until March 1, 1830, when they
settled in Dorchester township, Macoupin County, building the second cabin
in the township. No land had yet been entered either in this or Bunker Hill
township although within the following few years many others came. As the
family was obliged to subsist principally on game, which was plentiful, Mr.
Funderburk became a great hunter. He was much respected for his fine traits
of character and did much to preserve order in the newly settled region,
serving as justice of the peace and in other capacities, having an education
superior to many of his neighbors. Formerly a Methodist he became a
supporter of the Christian Church in Dorchester township.
Isaac A.
Funderburk was eight years old when he removed in 1830 with the family to
his present home — the farm of 53 acres in section 34, having on it one of
the finest residences in Dorchester township, which farm was deeded to him
in 1848. He also owns an adjoining tract on the west of 40 acres — the
southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 34 — which was a Black
Hawk War land grant, which he purchased from John Pifer, paying two $20 gold
pieces for it; and 40 acres joining his other property on the west, which he
added later— this tract is described as the southeast quarter of the
northeast quarter of section 33. In all, therefore, he owns 133 acres lying
in one piece, a quarter of a mile wide and nearly five-sixths of a mile
long. Until 1856 Mr. Funderburk resided in a small log cabin, 18 by 16 feet
in dimensions, but that long since, with other pioneer structures, has
passed away. He went through with all the hardships incident to pioneer life
here. He can recall the abundance of game and the constant sight of wild
animals and recalls when Black Hawk's Indians passed by his home, 500
strong. In those days the winters were spent by all members of the household
in grating corn to be made into hominy, as the nearest mill was 50 miles
away, at the mouth of Cahokia creek. The nearest post office was 18 miles
distant, at Edwardsville, and the nearest market was St. Louis. Many of the
changes in this neighborhood have come about through Mr. Funderburk's
influence, as he has always worked for the best interests of his township,
although he has never consented to hold office. In politics he was a Whig in
early days, but is now identified with the Republican party. His first vote
was cast for Henry Clay. Since 1849 he has been a Master Mason and belongs
to Staunton Lodge, No. 177.
On March 22, 1853, Mr. Funderburk was
married to Clarissa Jane Digman, who was born April 27, 1830, in Rush
County, Indiana, and is a daughter of Absalom and Lucretia (McCann) Digman,
natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, who came to Illinois in
1842. Mr. and Mrs. Funderburk had 10 children born to them, those who
reached maturity being: Mary Alice, who married W. F. Kell, of Sedalia,
Missouri, and has eight children; Sarah Ellen, widow of William F.
Funderburk, a distant relative, who died in 1888, at Sedaha, Missouri, aged
46 years; William L., who lives at home; Henry, who was accidentally drowned
at the age of 21 years; Hester L., who married Thomas B. Funderburk of
Springfield, Illinois, and has two children; Thomas W., who manages the home
farm; and Nettie C., who resides at home.
Mr. Funderburk is a valued
member of the Methodist Church, of which he is a trustee, while his wife is
equally valued in the Baptist Church. Both have been active in church work
and have many friends who know how much good they have accomplished.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 313-315.
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