History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/James H. Funk
JAMES H. FUNK was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 15, 1842. His educational advantages were meager but by evening study he became qualified to teach school. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-third Illinois Infantry. After returning from the war he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He took an active part in Illinois politics and served two terms in the Legislature of that State. In 1890 Mr. Funk removed to Iowa, making his home on a farm near Iowa Falls where he engaged in raising horses. He became an active participant in public affairs and in 1893 was elected on the Republican ticket to the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly. He was chairman of the committee on the suppression of intemperance and was reëlected to the Twenty-sixth General Assembly where he became chairman of the committee on ways and means. He was elected to the Twenty- seventh General Assembly and was chosen Speaker of the House.