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James William Funk was born Feb 19, 1874 in Richmond to Christopher Madsen and Anna Elsina Kofoed Funk. James was on the committee to establish the Richmond Library. James served as the 11th Mayor of Richmond.
Mayor August C. S. Schow term (1900-1904)
In 1902, Mayor August Schow presented a list of standing committees as follows:
Finance, Claims, Deeds and Salaries: Enoch B. Tripp, William B. Burnham, James W. Funk
Police, City Prison and Board of Health, William L. Skidmore, James W. Funk, and Eli Webb.
Streets, Alleys, Cemetery and City Property: Eli Webb, Enoch B. Tripp, and William L. Skidmore.
Ordinance, License and Elections: James W. Funk, Eli Webb, and William B. Burnham.
Water Works, Lighting and Irrigation: William C. Burnham, William L. Skidmore, and Enoch B. Tripp.
Mayor Thomas H. Griffin term (1904-1906)
James W. Funk served as the 11th Mayor of Richmond from 1906-1912 and was the first Mayor to have been considered not a Pioneer, but the son of one. James Funk, along with Clarence L. Funk, are the first and only brother Mayors. James is the youngest Mayor to be appointed at the age of 31.
He was succeeded by Samuel W. Hendricks.
In June 1912, Herbert A. Adamson presented a petition signed by 67 individuals to the Richmond City Council about constructing a library in Richmond. An election was held about its construction and was in favor 95-12. The city appointed a Board of Directors for the library. Members were Charles Z. Harris, President; Mayor Samuel W. Hendricks, Vice-President; George G. Hendricks, Secretary, with other members James W. Funk, George M. Thomson, Thomas H. Merrill, and Herbert A. Adamson. The Board sent a letter to receive a grant to construct the library,1 asking for $10,000, but received only $8,000 for its construction, and was approved. The Richmond Carnegie Library was constructed in 1914.
Chamber of Commerce
On March 22, 1920, a meeting was called by Mayor Clarence L. 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.
Community projects the Commerce worked on were establishing North Cache High School, developing the baseball diamonds, improving the State Highway, conducting city clean-ups, and sponsoring shows. James was placed under the committees of Dairy Industry and Roads.1
Lions Club
In Feb 1929, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce was reorganized into a Lions Club. Under the sponsorship of the Hyrum, Utah Lions Club, the Richmond Lions were organized with J. Morris Godfrey Jr., President; Jessie Webb, VP; Alvin M. Bair, Second VP; Secretary and Treasurer, J. S. Forrester; Lion Tamer, C. S. Hall; Tail Twister, Henry T. Plant Jr.; and Directors James W. Funk, Lyman Hall, Hölger B. F. Olsen, and Charles I. Stoddard.1
Deputy Cache County Assessor
Richmond Council Member
Richmond City Mayor
Cache Council of Defense Chairman
Liberty Loan and Soldiers' Welfare Drives Director
Red Cross Activities Advisor
State Councilman of Defense
Fair Price Commission Officer
Utah State Senator
Richmond Black & White Days Chairman
Richmond Black & White Days President
Missionary
Cache Stake M.I.A. Assistant
Richmond Bishopric First Counselor
Richmond Sunday School Teacher
Richmond Sunday School Superintendent
Benson Stake High Council
Benson Stake High Priests Quorum
Benson Stake President
Benson Stake Seminary President
Bonneville Stake High Priest
Richmond Cooperative Store Clerk
Richmond Cooperative Store Secretary
Richmond Cooperative Store Manager
First Security Bank of Utah, Richmond Branch, President
Sego Milk Products Co. Director
Sego Milk Products Co. Vice President
First Security Bank of Utah, Logan Branch, Director
Utah Power & Light Co. Director
James William Funk died Feb 9, 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was buried in the Richmond Cemetery.
Bair, Amos W. (1976). History of Richmond, Utah. The Richmond Bicentennial Committee. pg 119-122