OF THE SADDLE AND SIRLOIN CLUB 263 



A PRAIRIE PIONEER 



101. The founder of the Funk family, pioneer agriculturists 

 of Illinois, was Isaac Funk. He was born in Clark Co., Ken- 

 tucky, November 17, 1797, and received most meager educa- 

 tional advantages. In 1823 he migrated to McLean Co., Illinois, 

 where he settled on the acreage that ultimately became Funk's 

 Grove. Here, without capital, but by dint of much industry 

 and perseverance, he laid the foundation of the biggest fortune 

 based solely on agriculture, that has been developed in Ameri- 

 can history. After forty-two years of labor, his assets were 

 admittedly above $2,000,000, although he dealt only in live- 

 stock and farm products. 



Mr. Funk was elected to the state legislature in 1840, where 

 he served one term, and was sent to the 23rd and 24th sessions 

 as a member of the senate. He was originally a Whig, but 

 previous to the Civil War became a Republican, and gave loyal 

 and efficient service during the difficult period that followed. 

 He played a very important role in the retention of Illinois 

 to the cause of the Union, resisting every effort of the slave 

 holders of the southern section to secure its secession. In 

 February, 1863, he delivered, in the language of the prairie 

 pioneer, what has been termed the "most illiterate and most 

 intelligent" address the state senate has ever heard, against the 

 activities of the anti-war factionists, for which he received both 

 state and national commendation. His death occurred January 

 29, 1865. 



