Page 5 - United Brethren Preachers
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Volume 9 Preachers of U.B. and EUB Virginia Conferences December 26, 2024
DEDICATION
Abraham Paul Funkhouser, 1853 - 1917
REV. ABRAHAM PAUL FUNKHOUSER, D.D., was born December 10th, 1853,
on the old Paul farm, in Rockingham County, Va., and died July 6th, 1917, at his
home at Assembly Park, Harrisonburg, Va., after an illness of about 48 hours
duration. He embraced the Christian religion while quite young, and united with
the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. He turned his attention to the
ministry in early years, joining the Virginia Annual Conference, where his
efficiency was manifest. After graduating from Otterbein University, he had
charge of several circuits. His conference then elected him Presiding Elder and
appointed him to what was then known as South Branch District, where his
executive ability was recognized.
By vote of the Church he was then given the seat of Delegate in its law-making body in the General
Conference, where his strength was apparent during several terms. Brother Funkhouser founded
Shenandoah Institute, at Dayton, Va., and was its president for several years. He had important
connection with the Leander Clark College, in Iowa, and also with Lebanon Valley College, at Annville,
Pa. Brother Funkhouser, in 1897, was chosen Associate Editor of the Religious Telescope, which
position he resigned during the quadrennium, on account of defective sight, which was later remedied
by an operation. During the last Quadrennium he was a trustee of the U.B. Printing Establishment, and
was alert to the interests and needs of the Publishing House, at Dayton, Ohio.
Some years ago, he interested his conference and the church in the Chautauqua idea which was
planned for and held in a grove in Mt. Jackson, Va. Later, he purchased a site near Harrisonburg, Va.,
named Assembly Park, and erected a large Tabernacle and a number of cottages to further the laudable
conception. For a term of four years he was superintendent of public schools of Rockingham County,
and through his efforts the schools of the county reached a very high standard. In 1897 he was
appointed postmaster at Harrisonburg, Va., and served in that capacity for eight years. During his
administration of the office, Rockingham County was given a complete county rural free delivery, and
[it was] the first county in the entire United States to be so equipped.
Brother Funkhouser for the past two years was a student at Union Theological Seminary, and at
Columbia University in New York, from which he would have received his Doctor of Philosophy
Degree in another year. The funeral was largely attended. It was conducted by Dr. G. A. Funkhouser,
of Dayton, Ohio, assisted by Conference Superintendent, Dr. A. S. Hammack, and his pastor, Rev. G. B.
Fadeley and others. Interment was made in Woodbine Cemetery, in Harrisonburg, Va.
A Personal Word. We sympathize exceedingly with those who labor by our side in soul saving
endeavor, and the closer the attachment the more readily inclined to put aside and distant the thought of
separation. It is often said, and truly, too, “That one kindly act or word to cheer and help the living is of
far more worth than all that can be done or said in favor of the dead.” But yet the fact remains in
closing the human roll does not erase therefrom that which life places there indelibly. When the setting
sun flings his glory back to fringe the evening cloud with his dying light, we notice the effect and speak
of it as superlatively grand; and then, when the departing rays of a useful life shine forth tremulous and
beautiful upon the pathway traveled, we consistently express our admiration.
It may seem unbefitting and unwise for one with my ability to presume to eulogize a man intelligent
as Brother Funkhouser. But the speechless may express some part of what they feel and know. Like a
Dedication v
DEDICATION
Abraham Paul Funkhouser, 1853 - 1917
REV. ABRAHAM PAUL FUNKHOUSER, D.D., was born December 10th, 1853,
on the old Paul farm, in Rockingham County, Va., and died July 6th, 1917, at his
home at Assembly Park, Harrisonburg, Va., after an illness of about 48 hours
duration. He embraced the Christian religion while quite young, and united with
the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. He turned his attention to the
ministry in early years, joining the Virginia Annual Conference, where his
efficiency was manifest. After graduating from Otterbein University, he had
charge of several circuits. His conference then elected him Presiding Elder and
appointed him to what was then known as South Branch District, where his
executive ability was recognized.
By vote of the Church he was then given the seat of Delegate in its law-making body in the General
Conference, where his strength was apparent during several terms. Brother Funkhouser founded
Shenandoah Institute, at Dayton, Va., and was its president for several years. He had important
connection with the Leander Clark College, in Iowa, and also with Lebanon Valley College, at Annville,
Pa. Brother Funkhouser, in 1897, was chosen Associate Editor of the Religious Telescope, which
position he resigned during the quadrennium, on account of defective sight, which was later remedied
by an operation. During the last Quadrennium he was a trustee of the U.B. Printing Establishment, and
was alert to the interests and needs of the Publishing House, at Dayton, Ohio.
Some years ago, he interested his conference and the church in the Chautauqua idea which was
planned for and held in a grove in Mt. Jackson, Va. Later, he purchased a site near Harrisonburg, Va.,
named Assembly Park, and erected a large Tabernacle and a number of cottages to further the laudable
conception. For a term of four years he was superintendent of public schools of Rockingham County,
and through his efforts the schools of the county reached a very high standard. In 1897 he was
appointed postmaster at Harrisonburg, Va., and served in that capacity for eight years. During his
administration of the office, Rockingham County was given a complete county rural free delivery, and
[it was] the first county in the entire United States to be so equipped.
Brother Funkhouser for the past two years was a student at Union Theological Seminary, and at
Columbia University in New York, from which he would have received his Doctor of Philosophy
Degree in another year. The funeral was largely attended. It was conducted by Dr. G. A. Funkhouser,
of Dayton, Ohio, assisted by Conference Superintendent, Dr. A. S. Hammack, and his pastor, Rev. G. B.
Fadeley and others. Interment was made in Woodbine Cemetery, in Harrisonburg, Va.
A Personal Word. We sympathize exceedingly with those who labor by our side in soul saving
endeavor, and the closer the attachment the more readily inclined to put aside and distant the thought of
separation. It is often said, and truly, too, “That one kindly act or word to cheer and help the living is of
far more worth than all that can be done or said in favor of the dead.” But yet the fact remains in
closing the human roll does not erase therefrom that which life places there indelibly. When the setting
sun flings his glory back to fringe the evening cloud with his dying light, we notice the effect and speak
of it as superlatively grand; and then, when the departing rays of a useful life shine forth tremulous and
beautiful upon the pathway traveled, we consistently express our admiration.
It may seem unbefitting and unwise for one with my ability to presume to eulogize a man intelligent
as Brother Funkhouser. But the speechless may express some part of what they feel and know. Like a
Dedication v
