Most histories of the Funk family begin when they were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1853. After persecution while in Denmark because of their membership with the Church, the family began their efforts to move to Utah. In 1857, the Funk family started their journey, first joining the U.S.S Tuscarora and traveling from England to Philadelphia. From train to ferry, they made their way to Fairfield, Iowa where they had to stay for two years to save money. In 1859, they joined the James S. Brown Company and made it to Utah on August 29, 1859. After arriving, the family lived in Ogden, Utah. The Funk family moved to Richmond in 1860.