Abraham B. Funk

No Photo
State Senator
Republican
Editor
Dickinson
27
01/10/1898 - 01/07/1900
47

One of the editorial contingent on the floor of the Senate is the Hon. A. B. Funk, representing the district composed of Emmett, Palo Alto, Dickinson and Kossuth counties. He was born in Adams County, Illinois, January 12, 1854. His father was a Baptist minister. In 1885 the family moved to Iowa and settled in Hamilton county. "Abe," as he was then called, attended school until 18 years of age, when he went to work at printing in the office of the Spirit Lake Beacon. In 1872 he secured an interest in the office and nine years later became sole proprietor. He now has a partner. He has been mayor of Spirit Lake and held the office of postmaster for two years and a half, In 1381 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention. His first election to the Senate was in 1887, and he is now serving his second term. He was married in August, 1878, to Miss Dora Barkman of Spirit Lake. They have several children. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources
No Photo
State Senator
Republican
Editor
Dickinson
26
01/13/1896 - 01/09/1898
47

One of the editorial contingent on the floor of the Senate is the Hon. A. B. Funk, representing the district composed of Emmett, Palo Alto, Dickinson and Kossuth counties. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, January 12, 1854. His father was a Baptist minister. In 1885 the family moved to Iowa and settled in Hamilton county. "Abe," as he was then called, attended school until 18 years of age, when he went to work at printing in the office of the Spirit Lake Beacon. In 1872 he secured an interest in the office and nine years later became sole proprietor. He now has a partner. He has been mayor of Spirit Lake and held the office of postmaster for two years and a half, In 1381 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention. His first election to the Senate was in 1887, and he is now serving his second term. He was married in August, 1878, to Miss Dora Barkman of Spirit Lake. They have several children. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources
No Photo
State Senator
Republican
Editor
Dickinson
25
01/08/1894 - 01/12/1896
47

One of the editorial contingent on the floor of the Senate is the Hon. A. B. Funk, representing the district composed of Emmett, Palo Alto, Dickinson and Kossuth counties. He was born in Adams county, Illinois, January 12, 1854. His father was a Baptist minister. In 1885 the family moved to Iowa and settled in Hamilton county. "Abe," as he was then called, attended school until 18 years of age, when he went to work at printing in the office of the Spirit Lake Beacon. In 1872 he secured an interest in the office and nine years later became sole proprietor. He now has a partner. He has been mayor of Spirit Lake and held the office of postmaster for two years and a half, In 1381 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention. His first election to the Senate was in 1887, and he is now serving his second term. He was married in August, 1878, to Miss Dora Barkman of Spirit Lake. They have several children. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources
No Photo
State Senator
Republican
Editor
Dickinson
24
01/11/1892 - 01/07/1894
47

Journalist and legislator, was born at Liberty, Illinois, January 12, 1854. He came to Iowa with his father's family in 1865, first locating in Hamilton County and later removing to Estherville. Here in 1870 the young man entered the office of the Northern Vindicator as compositor and made such progress that in two years he became half owner of the Spirit Lake Beacon. In 1878 he established a paper at Flandreau, Dakota, where he was elected the first mayor of the town. In 1879 the same year he returned to Spirit Lake of which he also became the first mayor, and was connected with the Beacon at the same period. Through this journal Mr. Funk acquired wide influence in northwestern Iowa. His political career began with his election as delegate to the National Republican Convention of 1884, and in 1887 he was elected to the State Senate from the district consisting of the counties of Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Palo Alto and Kossuth. He served in that position for three terms, attaining high rank among the leading members of the General Assemblies during that period of twelve years. As chairman of the committee on ways and means he was largely instrumental in framing and securing the passage of the bill creating the State Board of Control. In 1897 Senator Funk was one of the most prominent candidates before the Republican State Convention for nomination for Governor, at the time Leslie M. Shaw was nominated. Upon the creation of the State Commission to improve and complete the Capitol building, Senator Funk was made a member.

Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources
No Photo
State Senator
Republican
Editor
Dickinson
23
01/13/1890 - 01/10/1892
47

Journalist and legislator, was born at Liberty, Illinois, January 12, 1854. He came to Iowa with his father's family in 1865, first locating in Hamilton County and later removing to Estherville. Here in 1870 the young man entered the office of the Northern Vindicator as compositor and made such progress that in two years he became half owner of the Spirit Lake Beacon. In 1878 he established a paper at Flandreau, Dakota, where he was elected the first mayor of the town. In 1879 the same year he returned to Spirit Lake of which he also became the first mayor, and was connected with the Beacon at the same period. Through this journal Mr. Funk acquired wide influence in northwestern Iowa. His political career began with his election as delegate to the National Republican Convention of 1884, and in 1887 he was elected to the State Senate from the district consisting of the counties of Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Palo Alto and Kossuth. He served in that position for three terms, attaining high rank among the leading members of the General Assemblies during that period of twelve years. As chairman of the committee on ways and means he was largely instrumental in framing and securing the passage of the bill creating the State Board of Control. In 1897 Senator Funk was one of the most prominent candidates before the Republican State Convention for nomination for Governor, at the time Leslie M. Shaw was nominated. Upon the creation of the State Commission to improve and complete the Capitol building, Senator Funk was made a member.

Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources
No Photo
State Senator
Republican
Editor
Dickinson
22
01/09/1888 - 01/12/1890
47

Journalist and legislator, was born at Liberty, Illinois, January 12, 1854. He came to Iowa with his father's family in 1865, first locating in Hamilton County and later removing to Estherville. Here in 1870 the young man entered the office of the Northern Vindicator as compositor and made such progress that in two years he became half owner of the Spirit Lake Beacon. In 1878 he established a paper at Flandreau, Dakota, where he was elected the first mayor of the town. In 1879 the same year he returned to Spirit Lake of which he also became the first mayor, and was connected with the Beacon at the same period. Through this journal Mr. Funk acquired wide influence in northwestern Iowa. His political career began with his election as delegate to the National Republican Convention of 1884, and in 1887 he was elected to the State Senate from the district consisting of the counties of Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Palo Alto and Kossuth. He served in that position for three terms, attaining high rank among the leading members of the General Assemblies during that period of twelve years. As chairman of the committee on ways and means he was largely instrumental in framing and securing the passage of the bill creating the State Board of Control. In 1897 Senator Funk was one of the most prominent candidates before the Republican State Convention for nomination for Governor, at the time Leslie M. Shaw was nominated. Upon the creation of the State Commission to improve and complete the Capitol building, Senator Funk was made a member.

Information from State Historical Society of Iowa resources