Guide to the Funkhouser Family Papers
Prepared by Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist-Records Administrator, Kristen Turner, Project Archivist, and Aaron Smith, Student Archivist
United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church
2021-08-23
Overview of Collection
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Record Creator: |
Funkhouser Family |
Title: |
Funkhouser Family Papers |
Date Span: |
1802-1995 |
Abstract: |
TThe Funkhouser Family was instrumental in the development of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. |
Extent: |
4.79 cubic feet |
Identification: |
gcah.ms.562 |
Biographical Note
The Funkhouser family is associated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ from its earliest days. The papers in this collection deal with Funkhouser family members beginning in the middle of the nineteenth century.
George Absalom Funkhouser (1841-1927), Church of the United Brethren in Christ theological professor and seminary president, was born to Andrew and Elizabeth (Rinker) Funkhouser, near Mount Jackson, Shenandoah County, Virginia, on June 7, 1841. In 1860, he attended the preparatory department at Otterbein College. His studies were interrupted by the American Civil War when he joined Company A, 95th Regiment, of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded and captured near Richmond, Kentucky, on August 30, 1862. Exchanged soon afterwards, he was assigned to the western theater of the war under the generalship of Ulysses S. Grant and fought in the siege of Vicksburg.
Shortly thereafter he was assigned to General A. J. Smith's command and fought in the Red River expedition. By 1864 he was clerking at the Smith's headquarters, and was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio on August 18, 1865. His rank was that of private throughout the war.
After the war Funkhouser returned to Otterbein College, and graduated in 1868. In 1871, he finished his divinity degree at the Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. While attending Western, he was a chaplain at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. Funkhouser was ordained by the Allegheny Annual Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ in 1871. That same year, he married Susan Margaret Kumler on October 26.
Funkhouser was an original faculty member of Union Biblical Seminary (later Bonerake Theological Seminary and eventually United Theological Seminary), founded in Dayton, Ohio in 1871. He was professor of Koine Greek, Biblical exegesis and homiletics (1871-1912) and taught at Union/Bonebrake for forty-one years. From 1885 to 1907, Funkhouser served as senior professor which was the official title for the seminary's president.
Failing health forced Funkhouser to teach a lighter course load from 1907 to 1912. Semi-retiring, Funkhouser served as director of seminary extension from 1913 to 1921. The General Conference of 1893 had elected him to the episcopacy, but he declined the election to continue his work in seminary education. For many years he served in leadership roles on both the Board of Education and Board of Missions for the United Brethren Church. Funkhouser served as a member of the Dayton Board of Education. He died on July 30, 1927.
Susan Margaret Kumler Funkhouser (1845-1928), daughter of Catherine and Daniel C. Kumler, was born on October 26, 1845. She graduated from the Normal Academy of Music in Cincinnati and continued her education at Otterbein College. She was a trustee of the Woman's Missionary Association for the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and treasurer of its Miami Valley branch. She died on June 18, 1928 in Dayton, Ohio.
Luther Kumler Funkhouser was the son of Susan Margaret and George Absalom Funkhouser. Luther also attended Otterbein College. He graduated in 1908. Luther Funkhouser collected the family papers which are found in this collection.
Lizzie Kumler Miller was the sister of Susan Margaret Kumler Funkhouser. She became the first principal of the Ladies Department at Otterbein College. Working at the denominational level, Miller became the editor of the Woman's Evangel and was a trustee of the Woman's Missionary Association.
Abram Paul Funkhouser was born on December 10, 1853, in Rockingham County, Virginia. At an early age, he joined the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and later became a minister in the Virginia Annual Conference. After graduating from Otterbein College, he went back to Virginia and was placed in charge of several circuits. Later the conference elected him a presiding elder and appointed him over the South Branch District. Abram was elected a delegate to General Conference several times.
Abram also involved himself with the Chautauqua movement in Mount Jackson, Virginia. He died on July 6, 1917, while in his second year of doctoral work at Union Theological Seminary located in New York City.
Scope Note
The Funkhouser Family collection primarily reflects the life of George Absalom Funkhouser with emphasis on his military service in the American Civil War for the Union Army in the 95th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
One diary (1863) documents George's service in the Union Army for the year of 1863. This would include a sporadic account of the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The other diaries (1868-1870) record his student years at Otterbein College and Western Theological Seminary. Luther Funkhouser has provided a typescript copy of each diary.
The records show that Funkhouser was actively involved with regimental reunions. The letters (1859-1927) between George and his compatriots often describe their interpretations and memories of their Civil War events. Other letters sent and received from family and friends during the Civil War period are a treasure.
Another illuminating aspect of George's war years are tintype cartes-de-visite's (1863-1865) of members from his company in the 95th Regiment. Here is a photographic history of those who served with Funkhouser during the war at its various stages. There are other supporting documents (1860-1933) which also reflect Funkhouser's military service for his country.
George Funkhouser's writings (1860-1915) contain subject matter relating to nature, the Philomethean Society of Otterbein College, literary classics, biographies, religion, a trip to Palestine, geography, and of course the American Civil War.
Other photographs (circa 1868-1871) are of Funkhouser's classmates from the different schools he attended as a student. Exchanging photographs was apparently the forerunner of the class yearbook before the yearbooks themselves became a popular school item.
One segment of this series documents the friendship between George Funkhouser and Benjamin Hanby (1860-1956). Hanby attended Otterbein College at the same time Funkhouser did before the war broke out. Benjamin Hanby is best known as the author of the popular song entitled, "My Darling Nellie Gray." The promissory note (1860) included here shows that Hanby owed Susan Funkhouser's father, Daniel C. Kumler, ten dollars.
The first scrapbook (1927) concentrates on George Funkhouser's seventy-fifth birthday and is supplemented by various letters of appreciation. The other scrapbook (1888) documents his election to the episcopacy.
Susan Margaret Kumler Funkhouser. This series contains personal items from Susan's grade school days, letters (1876-1924) from family and friends, post cards, and a poem (1911) celebrating her fortieth anniversary to husband George. The scrapbook documents her 80th birthday and subsequent funeral (1928).
There are seven letters addressed to Susan Funkhouser. These letters are dated from July 2, 1876 to October 24, 1924.
Luther Kumler Funkhouser. Luther Funkhouser is considered the family historian. It was he who put together much of the materials found in this collection and was instrumental in compiling, writing, and/or editing both the Funkhouser and Kumler family histories. His greatest passion was to document in great detail the life of his father, especially when it came to George Funkhouser's Civil War record. His other passion was that of Otterbein College. Like his previous family members who attended Otterbein College, Luther was heavily involved in the university's literary societies. The results of these passions are found throughout a variety of records types within this series.
Lizzie Kumler Miller. his series contains an autograph book (1852-1854), artifacts (1855), and photographs (1865-1884). The autograph book contains signatures acquired by Lizzie Kumler Miller while she was a teacher at Otterbein College. Fifteen photographs kept by Miller are included in this series. Two artifacts, a slave whip and a smoking pipe, were given to Lizzie by her father, Daniel C. Kumler. Kumler collected these items when he was a missionary to Sierra Leone, West Africa. There are photographs (1995) of these artifacts as well.
Abram Paul Funkhouser. All the records found in this series relate either directly or indirectly to his publication History of the United Brethren Church in Christ: Virginia Conference. Included are his notes (1916), manuscripts (1916), conference minutes (1789-1899), portrait photographs (1873), and biographical sketches (1914) of United Brethren ministers who served in the conference. A published copy of this work can be found in the Library department.
Charles Funkhouser. Charles Funkhouser's series is the smallest in the collection and contains four letters (1948-1954) pertaining to George Funkhouser's Civil War letters, as well as general family history. Correspondents include Mr. and Mrs. Fayette Funkhouser and an acquaintance named E. G. Worman.
Family histories. Within this series there are two core genealogical histories in manuscript form under the rubric of Funkhouser and Kumler. However, within each of these manuscripts there other related family histories as well. Extended family records are found in a variety of record types. These histories are often supplemented with obituaries, marriage announcements, and other like family manifestations.
Otterbein Chapel was one of three United Brethren churches founded in Virginia before 1850. The first Otterbein Chapel was dedicated in 1845. However, the roots of this specific United Brethren Church started a few years before 1800.
The first United Brethren family to move to this area was Jacob Funkhouser's, from Pennsylvania. He located his family at a plot of land one and a half miles west of Mount Jackson, on Mill Creek. Jacob's home was a frequent meeting place for services, and was sometimes visits from Christian Newcomer, third bishop of the United Brethren in Christ Church. The original plot of land where the first chapel was erected was donated by Jacob Funkhouser.
Prior to the building of the church, worship services had been held in an old school house on the site of the present church structure. Documentation (1813-1945) includes deeds, clippings, programs, manuscripts, and notes.
Higher education. Otterbein College was the common educational ground for most of the Funkhousers chronicled in this collection. Represented here, directly or indirectly, are the records that the Funkhousers collected and/or achieved during their tenure at Otterbein. The records of Bonebrake Theological Seminary (1909-1946) and Western Theological Seminary (1864-1871) reflect George Absalom Funkhouser's association with both these institutions.
MISCELLANEOUS. The supplemental nature of the records (1859-1951) in this small series is quickly apparent. Here we have a history of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, a publication by the National Military Home in Dayton, Ohio, and photographic portraits. All these items represent people and/or institutions that played a part in the various lives of the different members of the Funkhouser family.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
Abram Paul Funkhouser
Charles Funkhouser
Family Histories
George Absalom Funkhouser
Higher Education
Lizzie Kumler Miller
Luther Kumler Funkhouser
Miscellaneous
Otterbein Chapel
Susan Margaret Kumler Funkhouser
Preferred Citation
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Funkhouser Family Collection, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding this collection.
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Index Terms
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Additional Creators - Personal
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Arthur, John |
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Baker, A |
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Bell, William Melvin |
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Bellows, Lola |
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Bender, Jacob |
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Berry, W. R |
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Bliss, Belle |
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Brane, C. I. B |
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Brink, J. H |
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Brown, H. J |
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Burtner, William |
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Carr, W. Brainerd |
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Carrol, Theo |
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Chichester, W. J |
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Church of the United Brethren in Christ |
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Coleman, Daniel |
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Cornelius, M. N |
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Cupp, N. F. A |
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Danigoss, Eli |
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Davis, W. M |
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Dorser, Louisa H. Funkhouser |
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Drury, M. R |
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Elliot, John |
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Elliot, S. W |
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Fadley, G. B |
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Feaster, T. J |
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Filsen, W. H |
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Fleming, D. B |
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Flickinger, Lou |
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Forsyth, McNary |
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Funkhouser, Casper |
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Gale, S. W |
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Garet, William |
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Grant, Ulysses Simpson |
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Grey, Papy |
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Hammack, C. B |
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Haynie, Ella |
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Haynie, Melissa |
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Hensley, J. T |
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Hiskey, Will O |
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Hodge, A. A |
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Hott, C. M |
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Howe, J. W |
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Hulbert, Annie C |
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Jackson, Stonewall |
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Jacobus, M. W |
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Kelso, L. B |
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Kelton, O. D |
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Kemp, Mary Elizabeth |
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Kephart, I. L |
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Kerr, G. M. |
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Klinfelder, John |
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Knox, Callie Shupe |
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Landis, Josiah P |
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Landis, Judson P |
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Lee, Harriet |
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Lyon, D. N |
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Mabey, Miss |
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Mack, P. L |
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McCarrell, W. A |
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McCurdy, O. B |
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McKallip, J. K |
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McKee, William |
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McKinley, E. G |
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McNinty, Rob Roy |
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Mealy, J. W |
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Miles, J. W |
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Montgomery, B. C |
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Moore, W. R |
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Mower, General |
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Moys, D. V |
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Nesbit, David Kirke |
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Newell, D. A |
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Newell, D. A |
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Oldham, Charles |
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Pilcher, Mollie S |
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Prest, Lesko |
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Price. W. W |
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Pryor, Roger A |
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Queagher, Q |
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Qulin, Smith |
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Rankin, Mamie |
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Richardson, H. E |
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Ridenour, J. R |
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Robinson, D. G |
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Santz, Emma |
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Schrock, W |
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Shanks, J. D |
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Shauck, Mattie |
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Sherman, William Tecumseh |
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Shrom, Will |
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Shuey, T. F |
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Smith, A. J |
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Smith, Edward |
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Smith, G. B |
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Smith, Harriet H |
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Spoon, N. L |
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Stewart, W. G |
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Strasburg, James M |
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Stuck, Minnie |
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Ulrich, Edward |
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Walker, E. L |
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Walker, Ella |
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Walton, William M |
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Whitacre, J. T |
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Wilbur, C. T |
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Wilson, J. R |
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Wilson, Samuel J |
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Winegarner, S. D |
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Wyckoff |
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Zeller, Clothilde de Valois, Lady. |
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Additional Creators - Corporate
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Church of the United Brethren in Christ. |
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Subject Names - Personal
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Bell, William M |
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Berry, W. R |
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Brane, C. I. B |
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Brink, J. H |
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Burtner, William |
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Cupp, N. F. A |
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Dickinson, Lillie |
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Drury, M. R |
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Fadley, G. B |
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Feaster, T. J |
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Funkhouser, Andrew |
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Funkhouser, Fayette |
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Funkhouser, George Absalom |
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Funkhouser, Jacob |
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Funkhouser, Lorinne |
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Funkhouser, Luther Kumler |
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Funkhouser, Monroe |
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Funkhouser, Robert |
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Funkhouser, Sarah |
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Funkhouser, Susan E |
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Funkhouser, Susan Margaret Kumler |
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Guinter, Lydia M |
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Hammack, C. B |
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Hanby, Benjamin |
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Hanby, Cyrus |
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Harper, M. C |
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Hensley, J. T |
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Hively, Harriet |
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Hott, C. M |
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Howe, J. W |
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Humphry, H. S |
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Jordan, D. W. C |
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Kemp, John |
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Kemp, Mary |
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Kephart, I. L |
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Kingman, Cyrus M |
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Kumler, John M |
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Kumler, Lizzie |
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Landis, Kenesaw Mountain |
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Lutz, Juinie |
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Markley, Amanda L |
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McKee, William |
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McNoothy, Nellie |
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Mealy, John M |
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Miles, J. W |
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Perkins, Mellie |
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Phelps, H. Warren |
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Pilcher, Mollie |
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Prior, Ellie |
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Richardson, H. E |
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Ridenour, J. R |
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Schrock, G. W |
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Shrom, W. P |
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Squires, J. H |
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Stephens, G. L |
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Stover, George W |
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Strasburg, James M |
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Valentine, Nancy |
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Winter, Lydia M |
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Worman, E. G |
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Zenser, G. W |
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Subject Topics
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Anniversaries |
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Biography |
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Canon (Literature) |
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Church anniversaries |
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Confederate States of America. Army |
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Dedication services |
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Education |
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Education, Higher |
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Employment references |
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Episcopacy |
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Family |
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Funeral rites and ceremonies |
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Genealogy. |
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Geography |
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Literature-Societies, University |
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Ordnance |
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Poetry |
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Portraits |
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Religion |
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Reunions |
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Sunday schools |
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United States-History-Civil War, 1861-1865 |
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Weddings |
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Whips |
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Subject Geographic
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Alabama |
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Mississippi |
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Missouri. |
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Ohio |
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Pennsylvania |
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Tennessee |
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Virginia |
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Genre
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Artifacts |
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Autobiographies |
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Autograph albums. |
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Biographies |
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Cabinet cards |
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Cartes-de-visite |
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Clippings |
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Correspondence |
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Diaries |
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Fraktur art |
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Manuscripts |
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Maps |
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Memorials |
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Minutes |
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Money - Confederate States of America |
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Photographs |
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Poetry |
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Popular music - Texts |
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Postcards |
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Programs |
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Promissory notes |
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Reports |
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Scrapbooks |
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Sermons |
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Speeches |
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Tintype |
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Occupations
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Bishop. |
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College President |
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Educator |
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Minister |
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Professor |
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Seminary President |
Series: Abram Paul Funkhouser
Call Number
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Folder Title
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Date(s)
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1551-2-2:
8 |
Manuscripts/Notes |
1916 |
1551-2-2:
9 |
Conference minutes (1789-1851) |
Undated |
1551-2-2:
10 |
Conference minutes (1819-1899) |
Undated |
1551-2-2:
11 |
Biographical Sketches - United Brethren Ministers |
1914 |
1551-2-2:
12 |
Photographs |
Undated |
1551-2-2:
13 |
Miscellaneous |
1899-1917 |
1551-3-8:
2 |
Photographs |
1873 |
Series: Charles Funkhouser
Call Number
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Folder Title
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Date(s)
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1551-2-2:
14 |
Letters |
1948-1954 |
Series: Family Histories
Call Number
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Folder Title
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Date(s)
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1551-2-2:
15 |
Funkhouser: Manuscripts |
Undated |
1551-2-2:
16 |
Funkhouser: Manuscripts |
Undated |
1551-2-2:
17 |
Funkhouser: Correspondence |
1897-1947 |
1551-2-2:
18 |
Funkhouser: Clippings |
1898-1953 |
1551-2-2:
19 |
Funkhouser: Notes |
Undated |
1551-2-2:
20 |
Funkhouser: Miscellaneous |
1886-1909 |
1551-2-2:
21 |
Kumler: Manuscript |
1932 |
1551-2-2:
22 |
Kumler: Supporting Documents |
1953 |
1551-2-2:
23 |
Extended Family: Records |
1862-1951 |
1551-3-1:
1 |
Rike-Kemp Scrapbook |
1829-1921 |
1551-3-4:
1 |
Extended Family: Frakturs, License |
1802-1821 |
Series: George Absalom Funkhouser
Call Number
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Folder Title
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Date(s)
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1551-2-1:
1 |
Diary - Civil War |
1863 |
1551-2-1:
2 |
Diary - Civil War (photocopy) |
1863 |
1551-2-1:
3 |
Diary - Civil War and Post Civil War - Fragmented Transcript |
1863-1866 |
1551-2-1:
4 |
Diary - Higher Education Years |
1868-1870 |
1551-2-1:
5 |
Diary - Higher Education Years - Manuscript copy |
1868-1870 |
1551-2-1:
6 |
Letters |
Undated |
1551-2-1:
7 |
Letters |
1859-1927 |
1551-2-1:
8 |
Letters (copies) |
1859-1905 |
1551-2-1:
9 |
Letters (copies) - Luther Funkhouser's Notes |
1859-1948 |
1551-2-1:
10 |
Letters (copies) - Luther Funkhouser's Notes |
1862-1953 |
1551-2-1:
11 |
Supporting Documents - Civil War - George Funkhouser |
1863-1927 |
1551-2-1:
12 |
Supporting Documents - Civil War |
1865-1933 |
1551-2-1:
13 |
Supporting Documents - Civil War |
1860-1931 |
1551-2-1:
14 |
Writings |
1868 |
1551-2-1:
15 |
Writings |
1866-1915 |
1551-2-1:
16 |
Writings |
1868-1899 |
1551-2-1:
17 |
Writings - Others |
1860-1866 |
1551-2-1:
18 |
Benjamin Hanby |
1860-1956 |
1551-2-1:
19 |
Photographs/Negatives |
1860-1941 |
1551-2-1:
20 |
Biographical |
1904-1927 |
1551-2-1:
21 |
Miscellaneous |
1863-1927 |
1551-2-1:
22 |
Miscellaneous: Book of Ritual |
1864 |
1551-2-1:
23 |
Miscellaneous: Bible (KJV) |
1891 |
1551-2-3:
1 |
Scrapbooks |
1888-1927 |
1551-3-3:
1 |
Civil War Ordnance: Bullet with Viewer |
Undated |
1551-3-3:
2 |
Civil War Ordnance: Bullets and Minie Balls |
1863 |
1551-3-3:
3 |
Union Army uniform buttons and Kepi hat insignia |
1862 |
1551-3-3:
5 |
Civil War Commemorative Ribbons |
1881-1908 |
1551-3-6:
1 |
Photographs: Classmates; Friends; and Civil War |
1868-1871 |
1551-3-7:
1 |
Photographs: Civil War: Company A, 95th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry |
1862-1865 |
Series: Higher Education
Call Number
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Folder Title
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Date(s)
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1551-2-2:
25 |
Otterbein University |
1854-1897 |
1551-2-2:
26 |
Otterbein University |
1908-1954 |
1551-2-2:
27 |
Bonebrake Seminary - Photographs |
1909-1920 |
1551-2-2:
28 |
Bonebrake Seminary |
1946 |
1551-2-2:
29 |
Western Theological Seminary |
1864-1868 |
1551-3-10:
1 |
Western Theological Seminary - Photographs: McNinty, Rob Roy - W |
1871 |
1551-3-9:
1 |
Western Theological Seminary - Photographs: B - McCarrell |
1871 |
Series: Lizzie Kumler Miller
Call Number
|
Folder Title
|
Date(s)
|
1551-2-2:
6 |
Autograph Book/ Manuscript |
1851-1902 |
1551-3-2:
1 |
African Slave Whip |
1855 |
1551-3-8:
1 |
Photographs |
1865-1870 |
Series: Luther Kumler Funkhouser
Call Number
|
Folder Title
|
Date(s)
|
1551-2-2:
4 |
Letters |
1924-1967 |
1551-2-2:
5 |
Notes |
Undated |
1551-2-5:
1 |
Scrapbook |
1904-1937 |
Series: Miscellaneous
Call Number
|
Folder Title
|
Date(s)
|
1551-2-2:
30 |
Miscellaneous |
1859-1951 |
Series: Otterbein Chapel
Call Number
|
Folder Title
|
Date(s)
|
1551-2-2:
24 |
Otterbein Chapel |
1813-1945 |
Series: Susan Margaret Kumler Funkhouser
Call Number
|
Folder Title
|
Date(s)
|
1551-2-2:
1 |
Letters - Post Cards |
1876-1924 |
1551-2-2:
3 |
Photographs |
1928 |
1551-2-4:
1 |
Scrapbook; School Slate (Artifact); and Smith's Introductory Geography (Publication) |
1854-1928 |