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Below is a family biography included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published by Standard Publishing Company in 1913.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Ferdinand A. Funke, vice-president and general manager of the Mt. Vernon Straw Board Company, was born in Evansville, Ind., January 24, 1868, the son of Ferdinand and Mary (Kuntz) Funke, both of whom were born in Germany, the father at Ruethen, Luebstadt, Westphalia, and the mother near the city of Worms. Ferdinand Funke learned the trade of a gun and locksmith. He came to the United States in 1849, locating in Evansville, Ind., where he opened a shop and followed the trade learned in his native land. In 1858 he built a paper mill and began the manufacture of wrapping paper, in the operation and management of which he continued until his death in 1895. The enterprise was a success from the start and he realized a substantial fortune from its profits. After his death the business was continued by his sons, John M., Ferd A. and Joseph, under the firm style of Ferdinand Funke Sons. The output of the plant at the present writing is three thousand tons per annum, marketed in the United States, and the plant represents an investment of over $50,000. It is operated under the management of John M. Funke. Mr. Funke is survived by his widow and the following children: Caroline; John M. Funke, president of the Mt. Vernon Straw Board Company, Mt. Vernon, the Commercial Bank, Evansville, director in the Globe Paper Company, and having important real estate and manufacturing interests in Evansville; Ferdinand A. Funke, the subject of this article, and Joseph Funke, secretary of the Mt. Vernon Straw Board Company, Mt. Vernon. Ferdinand A. Funke acquired his education in the public schools of Evansville and the Evansville Business College. He entered the employ of his father in 1885 and was taught by him the trade of making wrapping paper. On his father’s death in 1895, and the taking over of the business by his sons, under the firm style of Ferdinand Funke Sons, he became superintendent of the mill and remained in charge of the manufacturing end of the business until 1904, when he was elected vice-president and general manager of the Mt. Vernon Straw Board Company (see chapter on Manufacturing). The continuous and healthy growth of the business of this corporation since its founding, the satisfaction given by its products, together with the good will extended to him at all times by the employees, prove his possession of these qualities which not only assure his business success, but make him a valuable acquisition to the citizenship of Mt. Vernon, of which he became a resident in 1909. He is a Democrat and a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 277, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a communicant of the Catholic church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Funke married on October 11, 1909, Miss Mary Logel, daughter of Louis Logel, of Evansville. They are the parents of two children: Ludwig Ferdinand, born August 2, 1910, and Karl Ferdinand, born May 2, 1912. Mrs. Funke is a communicant of the Catholic church and a leader in the social circles of Mt. Vernon.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published in 1913 by Standard Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Posey County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Posey County, Indiana family biographies here: Posey County, Indiana Biographies

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