Historic Photos

Photo of the Week, 60: Funks at Yosemite, June 1874

March 27th, 2014

From the early pioneer era of the 1820s to the hybrid seed revolution of the twentieth century, few families have had a greater impact on McLean County than the Funks. A gaggle of Funks, including four sons of local Funk patriarch Isaac (1797-1865), headed West in 1874. Here they are in Yosemite Valley for a family portrait framed by the world famous Yosemite Falls, the highest measured waterfall in North America. In the back row (left to right) are Duncan McArthur Funk, Jacob Funk, Isabelle Funk (Duncan and Elizabeth's daughter who later married Herbert Rollins), George Washington Funk, and Marquis de LaFayette (known simply as LaFayette) Funk. Seen in the front row are Elizabeth Richardson Funk (Duncan's wife), Mary A. Waltman Funk (Jacob's wife), Charles A. Funk (Jacob and Mary's son), Elizabeth Paullin Funk (LaFayette's wife) , and Clara Funk (Jacob and Mary's daughter who would later marry Howard Humphreys). In front are Isaac Lincoln Funk (Duncan and Elizabeth's son) , Deane N. Funk (Jacob And Mary's other son), and Eugene D. Funk (LaFayette and Elizabeth's son). Interestingly, Yosemite did not become a national park until 1890.

Bill Kemp

Librarian

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