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., I]linois, 
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. FunkK 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. 
