Guide to the Funkhouser Family Papers 1802 - 1995catalog.gcah.org/publicdata/gcah562.pdfGuide to the...

Guide to the Funkhouser Family Papers1802 - 1995

General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist ChurchP.O. Box 127, Madison, NJ 07940

3/16/2000

Funkhouser Family Papers1802 - 19954.79 cubic feet

gcah.ms.562

The purpose of this finding aid is to help you understand the nature of this collection and to assist you inthe retrieval of material from this collection. The following pages contain a brief biographical history ofthe person, or persons, who created or collected these papers; followed by a general description of thecollection in the scope and content note. If more detailed information is warranted then series descriptionsalso appear. The container listing appears last and is the listing of material in each box, or container, ofthis collection. To request material you need to turn to the container listing section. It is essentially alisting of file folders, or artifact items, in the collection. Each folder, or item, has a call number associatedwith it. Each folder also lists the inclusive dates of the material in the folder. On the material request formlist both the call number and the folder, or item, title. Use a different line for each folder, or item,requested. When your request sheet is complete, or full, bring it to the archivist and the material will beretrieved

Biographical NoteThe Funkhouser family is associated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ from its earliestdays. The papers in this collection deal with Funkhouser family members beginning in the middle of thenineteenth century.

George Absalom Funkhouser (1841-1927), Church of the United Brethren in Christ theological professorand seminary president, was born to Andrew and Elizabeth (Rinker) Funkhouser, near Mount Jackson,Shenandoah County, Virginia, on June 7, 1841. In 1860, he attended the preparatory department atOtterbein College. His studies were interrupted by the American Civil War when he joined Company A,95th Regiment, of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded and captured near Richmond, Kentucky,on August 30, 1862. Exchanged soon afterwards, he was assigned to the western theater of the war underthe generalship of Ulysses S. Grant and fought in the siege of Vicksburg.

Shortly thereafter he was assigned to General A. J. Smith's command and fought in the Red Riverexpedition. By 1864 he was clerking at the Smith's headquarters, and was honorably discharged atColumbus, Ohio on August 18, 1865. His rank was that of private throughout the war.

After the war Funkhouser returned to Otterbein College, and graduated in 1868. In 1871, he finished hisdivinity degree at the Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. While attending Western, he was achaplain at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. Funkhouser was ordained by the AlleghenyAnnual Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ in 1871. That same year, he marriedSusan Margaret Kumler on October 26.

Funkhouser was an original faculty member of Union Biblical Seminary (later Bonerake TheologicalSeminary and eventually United Theological Seminary), founded in Dayton, Ohio in 1871. He wasprofessor of Koine Greek, Biblical exegesis and homiletics (1871-1912) and taught at Union/Bonebrakefor forty-one years. From 1885 to 1907, Funkhouser served as senior professor which was the official titlefor the seminary's president.

Failing health forced Funkhouser to teach a lighter course load from 1907 to 1912. Semi-retiring,Funkhouser served as director of seminary extension from 1913 to 1921. The General Conference of 1893had elected him to the episcopacy, but he declined the election to continue his work in seminaryeducation. For many years he served in leadership roles on both the Board of Education and Board ofMissions for the United Brethren Church. Funkhouser served as a member of the Dayton Board ofEducation. He died on July 30, 1927.

Susan Margaret Kumler Funkhouser (1845-1928), daughter of Catherine and Daniel C. Kumler, was born

Guide to the Funkhouser Family Papers

General Commisson on Archives and HistoryMadison, New Jersey

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on October 26, 1845. She graduated from the Normal Academy of Music in Cincinnati and continued hereducation at Otterbein College. She was a trustee of the Woman's Missionary Association for the Churchof the United Brethren in Christ and treasurer of its Miami Valley branch. She died on June 18, 1928 inDayton, Ohio.

Luther Kumler Funkhouser was the son of Susan Margaret and George Absalom Funkhouser. Luther alsoattended Otterbein College. He graduated in 1908. Luther Funkhouser collected the family papers whichare found in this collection.

Lizzie Kumler Miller was the sister of Susan Margaret Kumler Funkhouser. She became the firstprincipal of the Ladies Department at Otterbein College. Working at the denominational level, Millerbecame the editor of the Woman's Evangel and was a trustee of the Woman's Missionary Association.

Abraham Paul Funkhouser was born on December 10, 1853, in Rockingham County, Virginia. At anearly age he joined the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and later became a minister in theVirginia Annual Conference. After graduating from Otterbein College, he went back to Virginia and wasplaced in charge of several circuits. Later the conference elected him a presiding elder and appointed himover the South Branch District. Abraham was elected a delegate to General Conference several times.

Abraham also involved himself with the Chautauqua movement in Mount Jackson, Virginia. He died onJuly 6, 1917 while in his second year of doctoral work at Union Theological Seminary located in NewYork City.

Scope NoteThe Funkhouser Family collection primarily reflects the life of George Absalom Funkhouser withemphasis on his military service in the American Civil War for the Union Army in the 95th Regiment ofthe Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

One diary (1863) documents George's service in the Union Army for the year of 1863. This wouldinclude a sporadic account of the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The other diaries (1868-1870) recordhis student years at Otterbein College and Western Theological Seminary. Luther Funkhouser hasprovided a typescript copy of each diary.

The records show that Funkhouser was actively involved with regimental reunions. The letters(1859-1927) between George and his compatriots often describe their interpretations and memories oftheir Civil War events. Other letters sent and received from family and friends during the Civil Warperiod are a treasure.

Another illuminating aspect of George's war years are tintype cartes-de-visite's (1863-1865) of membersfrom his company in the 95th Regiment. Here is a photographic history of those who served withFunkhouser during the war at its various stages. There are other supporting documents (1860-1933) whichalso reflect Funkhouser's military service for his country.

George Funkhouser's writings (1860-1915) contain subject matter relating to nature, the PhilometheanSociety of Otterbein College, literary classics, biographies, religion, a trip to Palestine, geography, and ofcourse the American Civil War.

Other photographs (circa 1868-1871) are of Funkhouser's classmates from the different schools heattended as a student. Exchanging photographs was apparently the forerunner of the class yearbook beforethe yearbooks themselves became a popular school item.

One segment of this series documents the friendship between George Funkhouser and Benjamin Hanby(1860-1956). Hanby attended Otterbein College at the same time Funkhouser did before the war broke



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out. Benjamin Hanby is best known as the author of the popular song entitled, "My Darling Nellie Gray."The promissory note (1860) included here shows that Hanby owed Susan Funkhouser's father, Daniel C.Kumler, ten dollars.

The first scrapbook (1927) concentrates on George Funkhouser's seventy-fifth birthday and issupplemented by various letters of appreciation. The other scrapbook (1888) documents his election to theepiscopacy.

Susan Margaret Kumler Funkhouser. This series contains personal items from Susan's grade school days,letters (1876-1924) from family and friends, post cards, and a poem (1911) celebrating her fortiethanniversary to husband George. The scrapbook documents her 80th birthday and subsequent funeral(1928).

There are seven letters addressed to Susan Funkhouser. These letters are dated from July 2, 1876 toOctober 24, 1924.

Luther Kumler Funkhouser. Luther Funkhouser is considered the family historian. It was he who puttogether much of the materials found in this collection and was instrumental in compiling, writing, and/orediting both the Funkhouser and Kumler family histories. His greatest passion was to document in greatdetail the life of his father, especially when it came to George Funkhouser's Civil War record. His otherpassion was that of Otterbein College. Like his previous family members who attended Otterbein College,Luther was heavily involved in the university's literary societies. The results of these passions are foundthroughout a variety of records types within this series.

Lizzie Kumler Miller. his series contains an autograph book (1852-1854), artifacts (1855), andphotographs (1865-1884). The autograph book contains signatures acquired by Lizzie Kumler Millerwhile she was a teacher at Otterbein College. Fifteen photographs kept by Miller are included in thisseries. Two artifacts, a slave whip and a smoking pipe, were given to Lizzie by her father, Daniel C.Kumler. Kumler collected these items when he was a missionary to Sierra Leone, West Africa. There arephotographs (1995) of these artifacts as well.

Abraham Paul Funkhouser. All the records found in this series relate either directly or indirectly to hispublication History of the United Brethren Church in Christ: Virginia Conference. Included are his notes(1916), manuscripts (1916), conference minutes (1789-1899), portrait photographs (1873), andbiographical sketches (1914) of United Brethren ministers who served in the conference. A publishedcopy of this work can be found in the Library department.

Charles Funkhouser. Charles Funkhouser's series is the smallest in the collection and contains four letters(1948-1954) pertaining to George Funkhouser's Civil War letters, as well as general family history.Correspondents include Mr. and Mrs. Fayette Funkhouser and an acquaintance named E. G. Worman.

Family histories. Within this series there are two core genealogical histories in manuscript form under therubric of Funkhouser and Kumler. However, within each of these manuscripts there other related familyhistories as well. Extended family records are found in a variety of record types. These histories are oftensupplemented with obituaries, marriage announcements, and other like family manifestations.

Otterbein Chapel was one of three United Brethren churches founded in Virginia before 1850. The firstOtterbein Chapel was dedicated in 1845. However, the roots of this specific United Brethren Churchstarted a few years before 1800.

The first United Brethren family to move to this area was Jacob Funkhouser's, from Pennsylvania. Helocated his family at a plot of land one and a half miles west of Mount Jackson, on Mill Creek. Jacob'shome was a frequent meeting place for services, and was sometimes visits from Christian Newcomer,



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third bishop of the United Brethren in Christ Church. The original plot of land where the first chapel waserected was donated by Jacob Funkhouser.

Prior to the building of the church, worship services had been held in an old school house on the site ofthe present church structure. Documentation (1813-1945) includes deeds, clippings, programs,manuscripts, and notes.

Higher education. Otterbein College was the common educational ground for most of the Funkhouserschronicled in this collection. Represented here, directly or indirectly, are the records that the Funkhouserscollected and/or achieved during their tenure at Otterbein. The records of Bonebrake TheologicalSeminary (1909-1946) and Western Theological Seminary (1864-1871) reflect George AbsalomFunkhouser's association with both these institutions.

MISCELLANEOUS. The supplemental nature of the records (1859-1951) in this small series is quicklyapparent. Here we have a history of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, a publication by the NationalMilitary Home in Dayton, Ohio, and photographic portraits. All these items represent people and/orinstitutions that played a part in the various lives of the different members of the Funkhouser family.

ArrangementMaterial has been arranged in the following manner.

SERIES: ABRAHAM PAUL FUNKHOUSER.SERIES: CHARLES FUNKHOUSER.SERIES: FAMILY HISTORIES.SERIES: GEORGE ABSALOM FUNKHOUSER.SERIES: HIGHER EDUCATION.SERIES: LIZZIE KUMLER MILLER.SERIES: LUTHER KUMLER FUNKHOUSER.SERIES: MISCELLANEOUS.SERIES: OTTERBEIN CHAPEL.SERIES: SUSAN MARGARET KUMLER FUNKHOUSER.

Access RestrictionsThere are no restrictions regarding this collection.

Preferred CitationWhen citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item orits file folder, Funkhouser Family Collection, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, NewJersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.

Index Terms

Additional Creators - PersonalArthur, JohnBaker, ABell, William MelvinBellows, LolaBender, JacobBerry, W. RBliss, BelleBrane, C. I. BBrink, J. HBrown, H. J



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Burtner, WilliamCarr, W. BrainerdCarrol, TheoChichester, W. JChurch of the United Brethren in ChristColeman, DanielCornelius, M. NCupp, N. F. ADanigoss, EliDavis, W. MDorser, Louisa H. FunkhouserDrury, M. RElliot, JohnElliot, S. WFadley, G. BFeaster, T. JFilsen, W. HFleming, D. BFlickinger, LouForsyth, McNaryFunkhouser, CasperGale, S. WGaret, WilliamGrant, Ulysses SimpsonGrey, PapyHammack, C. BHaynie, EllaHaynie, MelissaHensley, J. THiskey, Will OHodge, A. AHott, C. MHowe, J. WHulbert, Annie CJackson, StonewallJacobus, M. WKelso, L. BKelton, O. DKemp, Mary ElizabethKephart, I. LKerr, G. M.Klinfelder, JohnKnox, Callie ShupeLandis, Josiah PLandis, Judson PLee, HarrietLyon, D. NMabey, MissMack, P. LMcCarrell, W. AMcCurdy, O. BMcKallip, J. KMcKee, WilliamMcKinley, E. GMcNinty, Rob Roy



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Mealy, J. WMiles, J. WMontgomery, B. CMoore, W. RMower, GeneralMoys, D. VNesbit, David KirkeNewell, D. ANewell, D. AOldham, CharlesPilcher, Mollie SPrest, LeskoPrice. W. WPryor, Roger AQueagher, QQulin, SmithRankin, MamieRichardson, H. ERidenour, J. RRobinson, D. GSantz, EmmaSchrock, WShanks, J. DShauck, MattieSherman, William TecumsehShrom, WillShuey, T. FSmith, A. JSmith, EdwardSmith, G. BSmith, Harriet HSpoon, N. LStewart, W. GStrasburg, James MStuck, MinnieUlrich, EdwardWalker, E. LWalker, EllaWalton, William MWhitacre, J. TWilbur, C. TWilson, J. RWilson, Samuel JWinegarner, S. DWyckoffZeller, Clothilde de Valois, Lady.

Additional Creators - CorporateChurch of the United Brethren in Christ.

Subject Names - PersonalBell, William MBerry, W. RBrane, C. I. BBrink, J. H



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Burtner, WilliamCupp, N. F. ADickinson, LillieDrury, M. RFadley, G. BFeaster, T. JFunkhouser, AndrewFunkhouser, FayetteFunkhouser, George AbsalomFunkhouser, JacobFunkhouser, LorinneFunkhouser, Luther KumlerFunkhouser, MonroeFunkhouser, RobertFunkhouser, SarahFunkhouser, Susan EFunkhouser, Susan Margaret KumlerGuinter, Lydia MHammack, C. BHanby, BenjaminHanby, CyrusHarper, M. CHensley, J. THively, HarrietHott, C. MHowe, J. WHumphry, H. SJordan, D. W. CKemp, JohnKemp, MaryKephart, I. LKingman, Cyrus MKumler, John MKumler, LizzieLandis, Kenesaw MountainLutz, JuinieMarkley, Amanda LMcKee, WilliamMcNoothy, NellieMealy, John MMiles, J. WPerkins, MelliePhelps, H. WarrenPilcher, MolliePrior, EllieRichardson, H. ERidenour, J. RSchrock, G. WShrom, W. PSquires, J. HStephens, G. LStover, George WStrasburg, James MValentine, NancyWinter, Lydia M



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Worman, E. GZenser, G. W

Subject TopicsAnniversariesBiographyCanon (Literature)Church anniversariesConfederate States of America. ArmyDedication servicesEducationEducation, HigherEmployment referencesEpiscopacyFamilyFuneral rites and ceremoniesGenealogy.GeographyLiterature-Societies, UniversityOrdnancePoetryPortraitsReligionReunionsSunday schoolsUnited States-History-Civil War, 1861-1865WeddingsWhips

Subject GeographicAlabamaMississippiMissouri.OhioPennsylvaniaTennesseeVirginia

GenreArtifactsAutobiographiesAutograph albums.BiographiesCabinet cardsCartes-de-visiteClippingsCorrespondenceDiariesFraktur artManuscriptsMapsMemorialsMinutesMoney - Confederate States of AmericaPhotographs



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PoetryPopular music - TextsPostcardsProgramsPromissory notesReportsScrapbooksSermonsSpeechesTintype

OccupationsBishop.College PresidentEducatorMinisterProfessorSeminary President



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Container List

Abraham Paul FunkhouserCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-2:8 Manuscripts/Notes 19161551-2-2:9 Conference minutes (1789-1851) Undated1551-2-2:10 Conference minutes (1819-1899) Undated1551-2-2:11 Biographical Sketches - United Brethren Ministers 19141551-2-2:12 Photographs Undated1551-2-2:13 Miscellaneous 1899-19171551-3-8:2 Photographs 1873

Charles FunkhouserCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-2:14 Letters 1948-1954

Family HistoriesCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-2:15 Funkhouser: Manuscripts Undated1551-2-2:16 Funkhouser: Manuscripts Undated1551-2-2:17 Funkhouser: Correspondence 1897-19471551-2-2:18 Funkhouser: Clippings 1898-19531551-2-2:19 Funkhouser: Notes Undated1551-2-2:20 Funkhouser: Miscellaneous 1886-19091551-2-2:21 Kumler: Manuscript 19321551-2-2:22 Kumler: Supporting Documents 19531551-2-2:23 Extended Family: Records 1862-19511551-3-1:1 Rike-Kemp Scrapbook 1829-19211551-3-4:1 Extended Family: Frakturs, License 1802-1821

George Absalom FunkhouserCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-1:1 Diary - Civil War 18631551-2-1:2 Diary - Civil War (photocopy) 18631551-2-1:3 Diary - Civil War and Post Civil War - Fragmented Transcript 1863-18661551-2-1:4 Diary - Higher Education Years 1868-18701551-2-1:5 Diary - Higher Education Years - Manuscript copy 1868-18701551-2-1:6 Letters Undated1551-2-1:7 Letters 1859-19271551-2-1:8 Letters (copies) 1859-19051551-2-1:9 Letters (copies) - Luther Funkhouser's Notes 1859-19481551-2-1:10 Letters (copies) - Luther Funkhouser's Notes 1862-19531551-2-1:11 Supporting Documents - Civil War - George Funkhouser 1863-19271551-2-1:12 Supporting Documents - Civil War 1865-19331551-2-1:13 Supporting Documents - Civil War 1860-19311551-2-1:14 Writings 18681551-2-1:15 Writings 1866-19151551-2-1:16 Writings 1868-18991551-2-1:17 Writings - Others 1860-18661551-2-1:18 Benjamin Hanby 1860-19561551-2-1:19 Photographs/Negatives 1860-19411551-2-1:20 Biographical 1904-19271551-2-1:21 Miscellaneous 1863-1927



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Call Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-1:22 Miscellaneous: Book of Ritual 18641551-2-1:23 Miscellaneous: Bible (KJV) 18911551-2-3:1 Scrapbooks 1888-19271551-3-3:1 Civil War Ordnance: Bullet with Viewer Undated1551-3-3:2 Civil War Ordnance: Bullets and Minie Balls 18631551-3-3:3 Union Army uniform buttons and Kepi hat insignia 18621551-3-3:4 Comb 18621551-3-3:5 Civil War Commemorative Ribbons 1881-19081551-3-6:1 Photographs: Classmates; Friends; and Civil War 1868-18711551-3-7:1 Photographs: Civil War: Company A, 95th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry 1862-1865

Higher EducationCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-2:25 Otterbein University 1854-18971551-2-2:26 Otterbein University 1908-19541551-2-2:27 Bonebrake Seminary - Photographs 1909-19201551-2-2:28 Bonebrake Seminary 19461551-2-2:29 Western Theological Seminary 1864-18681551-3-10:1 Western Theological Seminary - Photographs: McNinty, Rob Roy - W 18711551-3-9:1 Western Theological Seminary - Photographs: B - McCarrell 1871

Lizzie Kumler MillerCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-2:6 Autograph Book/ Manuscript 1851-19021551-2-2:7 Photographs: Harriet Smith and Artifacts 1855-19951551-3-2:1 African Slave Whip 18551551-3-5:1 Pipe 18551551-3-8:1 Photographs 1865-1870

Luther Kumler FunkhouserCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-2:4 Letters 1924-19671551-2-2:5 Notes Undated1551-2-5:1 Scrapbook 1904-1937

MiscellaneousCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-2:30 Miscellaneous 1859-1951

Otterbein ChapelCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-2:24 Otterbein Chapel 1813-1945

Susan Margaret Kumler FunkhouserCall Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-2:1 Letters - Post Cards 1876-19241551-2-2:2 Poems 19111551-2-2:3 Photographs 1928



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Call Number Folder Title Date(s)1551-2-4:1 Scrapbook; School Slate (Artifact); and Smith's Introductory Geography

(Publication)1854-1928



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Guide to the Funkhouser Family Papers 1802 - 1995catalog.gcah.org/publicdata/gcah562.pdfGuide to the...

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