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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of Buffalo & Pepin Counties, Wisconsin - Vol. 1
pub. H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, MN - 1919

         [page 141-142]

         CHARLES F. FUNKE, a prominent representative of the manu-
       facturing interest of Buffalo county, as one of the proprie-
       tors of the Alert Flour Mills, was born in Prussia, Germany,
       Oct. 6, 1861, son of JOHN and CHRISTINA (GUENTHER) FUNKE. He
       was one of a family of six children, whose names respectively
       were ANNA, AMELIA, DORIS, FRANK, EDWARD and CHARLES F. CHARLES
       and EDWARD were the only members of the family to come to the
       United States, CHARLES making his advent in this country in
       1880, and his brother coming in the following year. The father,
       JOHN FUNKE, was the proprietor of a dry goods business in Ger-
       many, and CHARLES F. began industrial life in the store. He
       had attended common school, and in addition to his mercantile
       experience, engaged to some extent in farming. On arriving in
       the United States he proceeded to Cincinnati, where he remained
       five months, and then in 1881 came to Fountain City, Wis. Here
       he entered the employ of the C., B. & Q. Railway. Later he
       learned civil engineering and followed that profession for 15
       years, being successively in the employ of the Chicago, Bur-
       lington & Quincy, the Northern Pacific and the Great Northern
       Railways, engaged in construction work. In 1889 he had charge
       of a surveying party in the western part of the State of Wash-
       ington, and at different times he had charge of construction
       work in Washington and South Dakota. In 1895 he located in
       Fountain City, and in company with ALBERT KIRCHNER and BEHLMER
       BILTER, purchased the mills of the Fountain City Mill Company.
       Later MR. BILTER sold his interest to ALBERT KIRCHNER, CHARLES F.
       FUNKE and HERMAN MALZAHN, who are the present proprietors of
       the mills. They are noted as the manufacturers of the "Alert
       Winter Wheat Flour," and are also extensive shippers of grain.
       MR. FUNKE is also the owner of some wild land in Lincoln county,
       Wisconsin, which is suitable for development into farms. He has
       taken a prominent part in the affairs of local government and
       has held some important offices. From 1908 to 1911 he served
       as alderman, and from 1912 to 1916 was mayor of Fountain City,
       during which period the good road movement was started, MR.
       FUNKE being one of the chief promoters. Several miles of maca-
       damized road were built and other improvements set on foot.
       MR. FUNKE also served two years as city treasurer, two years
       as secretary of the Fire Company, Liberty No. 1, having served
       as its chief since April 1, 1917, and a similar length of time
       as secretary of the Germania Society, and was for six years
       clerk of the school district. A Catholic in religion, he held
       for eight years the position of trustee in the church he
       attends. MR. FUNKE was first married, in 1891, to THERESA HEPP,
       daughter of FREDERICK HEPP, one of the pioneer settlers in
       Fountain City. She died at the age of 27 years, leaving no
       children, and MR. FUNKE subsequently took for his wife, her
       sister, ROSE HEPP. Of this union four sons have been born:
       EDWARD E., now a merchant in Montana, and CLARENCE J , ALLEN J.
       and FREDERICK P., who are residing at home.

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