Solomon Funderburgh is the village blacksmith at Ragtown, and is a man of industry in business affairs and reliable in all life's relations, thus winning the respect of his fellow men. He was born in Clark county, Ohio, on the 10th of May, 1844, his parents being William and Almira (Helmer) Funderburgh. His father was born in Madison county, Ohio, near Summersford, in 1811, and was a son of Daniel Funderburgh, a native of Germany, who came to the Buckeye state in early manhood. In Madison county he wedded Mary Wilson, whose father, H. Wilson, resided near Xenia, Ohio. Daniel Funderburgh took up his residence in Madison county, where his wife died. William Funderburgh, their eldest child, was reared to manhood there and afterward went to Clark county, Ohio, learning the blacksmith's trade at Midway. After his marriage, however, he engaged in farming. In 1850 he removed to Adams county, Indiana, where he continued until 1856, when he returned to the Buckeye state, locating in Brandt, Miami county, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring at the age of seventy-nine years and ten months. His wife died in her seventy-fifth year. William and Almira Funderburgh became the parents of ten children, of whom five died in infancy, the others being Arthur, who is now engaged in the grocery business in Westfield, Indiana; Peter, who is living in Brandt; Isaac, a carpenter in Springfield, Ohio; Minerva Ellen, now the widow of Steven C. Hughs and a resident of Springfield, Ohio; and Solomon, of this review.

When a youth of twelve years Solomon Funderburgh became a resident of Brandt, Miami county, and at the age of seventeen he entered upon a three-years apprenticeship to Boyd Gowdy, a blacksmith of Brandt, from whom he received three dollars and a half per month and his board. From that amount he purchased his clothing and all that he had remaining went to his parents. When his apprenticeship was completed he began working for himself, his wages going for his own support. During the civil war, however, he put aside his personal desires, enlisting on the 2d of May, 1864, when twenty years of age, as a member of' Company B, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The command was enrolled in the National Guard and was drilled ready for active work at the front. His service with the One Hundred and Forty- seventh was at Arlington Heights, the regiment being called out on the 3d of July, 1864, to support the New York Battery, whose purpose it was to check the advance of Early, who threatened Washington. Mr. Funderburgh was discharged with his regiment at Camp Dennison.

On the 22d of September, 1864, just after his return from the seat of war, he married Miss Electa Dunlap, of Piqua, Ohio, a daughter of James Dunlap, a painter of that city. Mr. Funderburg worked as a journeyman for Mark Gantz, and also spent two years in the employ of Arthur Helmer. He then opened a shop at Tadmor, where he continued for four years, after which he went to West Charleston, where he conducted a blacksmithing business for eleven years. He has carried on business at his present location for eighteen years, building here his smithy and enjoying a prosperous trade, his patronage steadily and constantly increasing as he has demonstrated his ability to perform the work entrusted to him.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Funderburgh have been born ten children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are Thomas, who is now a driver of an engine in the fire department at Springfield, Ohio; Clara, wife of Andy Bridges, of Troy; James, a machinist employed in the woolen mill at Piqua; Rosa, wife of Pierce Magoret, of Huffordville, Ohio; Blanche, at home; Alvira, wife of Harly Davidson, of Grayson, Ohio; Gracie, wife of Elmer Zerkel, of Tippecanoe City; and Effie, who completes the family. Both boys learned the blacksmith's business in their father's shop, but preferred to engage in other work.

Mr. Funderburgh, his wife and daughters are all members of the Christian church at Cove Springs. Since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, he has supported the Republican party, and has taken a deep interest in its growth and upbuilding . His life has been quietly passed, unmarked by any events that were of a very exciting nature, yet characterized by the faithful performance of his duty to his country, his neighbors and to himself. Such reliable citizens form the bulwark of the nation, and among the representative men of his town he well deserves mention.