Christopher Madsen Funk

Christopher Madsen Funk was born April 24, 1830 in Pedersker, Denmark to Diderik Espersen and Kirstine Madsdatter Funk. Christopher is a Pioneer of Richmond. Christopher is a veteran of the Indian Wars. Christopher was the founder and first Bishop of Weston, Idaho. Christopher is the father of Clarence L. Funk and James W. Funk.

Conversion and Westward Journey

Christopher was one of the first of the Funk family and in the country of Denmark to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1852. After some time in Denmark with persecution, the Funk family began their journey to Utah in 1857. 

They joined the Tuscarora on May 30, 1857, where Christopher was named as the second councilor of the ship, acting as if he were a councilor of a Stake Presidency. The ship arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 3.8 The Funk family made their way to Iowa and began living in Fairfield. They had to stay for two years to save money. On June 13, 1859, they joined the James S. Brown Company and made it to Utah on August 29. After arriving, the Funk family moved to Ogden, Utah.1

Life in Richmond

After hearing the news of a new valley available for settlers to live and farm, the Funk family traveled to Cache Valley. They moved to Richmond in 1860 and lived in Richmond Fort on the Southeast side of the fort.

Sometime in Chistopher's early years in Richmond, the Church asked him if he’d be willing to donate his carriage team to help meet saints in Florence, Dakota Territory. Christopher was known to be a caring and generous man. He donated his team and helped many Saints arrive in Zion. He was later blessed with one of the fastest teams in the city.5

When Richmond was incorporated as a city in 1868, Christopher served as the first Supervisor of Streets.3

Leader of Weston, Idaho

In 1865, Christopher was called by the Church to serve as bishop of Weston. There were about five families when they first started. Christopher had his younger brother Hans and family to accompany him. The next year, many of Anna's family settled in Weston, her mother and father, two brothers, and a sister with their families. "Nine Scandinavians and five white boys as Christopher jokingly put it."4

Starting the settlement was not easy as the closest settlement to them was Franklin, Idaho, being about a day travel. The Weston Saints dealt with many run-ins with angry or upset Native Americans and had to retreat to Richmond for a few weeks before restarting. Christopher served as the bishop until 1867.2

Indian Wars Service

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. He was appointed a Private in both instances.

On Sep 14, 1864, the Richmond Home Guard was created with Henry Standage as Captain. At any cost, the city Guard was to protect. Most of the Guard, including Christopher, consisted of Minute-Men. They had regular drills every night.6 The Home Guard was released from active duty on Oct 25, 1864.7

Family

Christopher married Anna Elsina Kofoed on November 15, 1861 who was from the same island of Denmark as Christopher, but had not met each other until they lived in Utah. They lived in Richmond for many years and had seven children with only three living to adulthood: Clarence Lorenzo Funk,  James William Funk, and Cecelia Mathilda Funk.2

In 1871, Christopher joined in a polygamic relationship with Lydia Malinda Knapp. Together they had three children.

Epilogue