Clarence Lorenzo Funk

Clarence Lorenzo Funk was born April 22, 1872, in Richmond to Christopher Madsen and Anna Elsina Kofoed Funk. Clarence is credited with the creation of Black & White Days in 1912. Clarence served as the 15th Mayor of Richmond. Clarence served as a Senator for the Utah State Senate.

Early Life

After Christopher's death in 1881, Clarence went on to be educated from some of the local schools in Richmond and Utah Agricultural College (USU). In 1894, he married Laura Vilate Merrill, daughter of Marriner Wood Merrill, and sister of the Joseph F. Merrill in the Logan Utah Temple. They went on to have five children.  They purchased land on the south end of Richmond and built the Funk Farmstead.

Black & White Days

In 1912, after reading an article from the Hoard’s Dairyman news, Clarence petitioned to organize a dairy show in Richmond. That same year in May, Clarence L. Funk, along with many other men, started what is today Black & White days. The origination demanded Clarence to be the first chairman, and did so for an unnumbered amount of years. Because of this, Clarence is recognized as the creator of Black & White Days.1 

Mayoral Term (1920 - 1922)

Clarence L. Funk served a single term as the 15th Mayor from 1920-1922. Clarence Funk, along with James W. Funk, are the first and only brother Mayors. 

North Cache

In a state-wide high school rating in 1919, South Cache High School was named first in the county, and Richmond High School second. This was enough to stir the high school to build a new building. Committees were elected to receive a bond to construct the building, purchase land, and consider a location for the new school. In 1921, Mayor Clarence Funk sold a few acres of land to the project, located on the main road that led into Richmond, today Highway 91.2

Lions Club/Chamber of Commerce

On March 22, 1920, a meeting was called by Mayor Clarence Funk for the formation and creation of a Richmond Chamber of Commerce. The following day, another meeting was held in the Club Room of the Richmond Library to elect and reject 5 individuals to serve on a Board of Directors. The five individuals that were elected were Charles Z. Harris, President; Jessie Webb, VP; Brigham Monson, Secretary and Treasurer; and Albert C. Fisher and Walstein Hendricks as Directors. The Commerce continued until the Richmond Lions Club reorganized it.4

Clarence L. Funk was succeeded by Brigham Monson.

State Senator

Clarence won a term in the Utah State Legislature in 1923-1926 representing District 2, Cache County.3 He was called to represent Agriculture and Commerce & Industry to help the state and Cache County thrive. With his knowledge in agriculture, he helped to pass many bills pertaining to the aid of farmers across the state, and led other members of the House on tours across the state to learn more about what was necessary for their home. 

Farming

Clarence was an aviator for the city of Richmond when it came to agriculture, building a dairy farm that has been family-owned for nearly five generations, located at 1109 S State St, Richmond. He is described as being "one of the most enthusiastic exponents of the dairy cow in the valley. Of the young men in this valley who have done the practical and important things that build up the country Clarence L. Funk is among the most successful." (Logan Republican 1908-10-31). 

Epilogue

1. Stum, Marlin W. (2007). Richmond: A History in Black and White. (T. Wierenga, Ed.). Richmond City. pg 109-111

2. Family Search, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2019, August). Records of the city of Richmond, Cache County, Utah 1868-1948. Utah State Agricultural College (Utah State University). Cache Valley Historical Society (1955, November) Reel 16. Image Number 686. Familysearch.org. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-J3D5-99HH-6

3. Bair, Amos W. (1976). History of Richmond, Utah. The Richmond Bicentennial Committee. pg 239

4. Bair, Amos W. (1976). History of Richmond, Utah. The Richmond Bicentennial Committee. pg 119-121

See Also