Biography
Isaac Funkhouser was the son of Christian Funkhouser and Margaretha Wolfe and grandson of the immigrant Jacob Funkhouser. [1] He was born ca. 1768 on the family land on Stony Creek, Shenandoah County, Virginia. Isaac’s father and siblings are identified in the deed transferring Christian’s land to Isaac. [2] By this deed Isaac acquired 510 acres, 260 acres on Stony Creek and 250 acres near Stony Creek and adjoining the other property. Isaac spent his life farming the Stony Creek land, married twice, and fathered eleven children.
Isaac first married Catharine “Caty” Baker on 10 December 1795. Catharine was the daughter of Peter and Maria (Hottel) Baker. She was the mother of three children and died in 1804. [3] On 14 October 1805, Isaac Funkhouser married (2) Christina Bower (1777-1864), daughter of Henry Bower. [4]
Isaac died before 9 April 1849 when the County Court assigned administration of his estate to John Craig, Isaac’s widow, Christina, having relinquished her right to administer. [5] On 9 May Isaac’s personal estate was appraised by his neighbors Joseph M. Coffman, Jonathan Miller, and Stephen Strawderman at $515, including notes on money owed to Isaac. [6] Before this, Isaac had sold 230 acres of his farm to his son, Isaac Jr., for $560 in 1845. [7] After his death an additional 150 acres was sold by trustee John Craig to satisfy a debt owed to Peter Craig, but which had been acquired by John Ryan, one of Isaac’s sons-in-law. [8]
Isaac’s second wife, Christina, survived him. As a result of a lawsuit, [9] three commissioners, in March 1850, were ordered to lay off Christina’s dower land, which was done on 23 May. Christina’s dower consisted of 53½ acres of the 153½ acres that remained of Isaac’s land, and included the east end or lower half of the barn and one-half of the barn floor, a small stable near the barn, and a small house near the mansion house called the Cellar house, all within the bounds of the dower land. Christina’s dower land was later increased by eight acres, including “the meadow below the house.”
A lot of 16 ½ acres was laid off for Isaac and Christina’s son, Philip, leaving 83½ undivided acres for Isaac’s other ten children. The road to the barn and barn yard was to be kept open in order that Isaac’s heirs would have access to barn and other buildings, and Christina was to “have the privilege of water of the spring which is on the undivided shares.” [10]
On 9 August 1858, the County Court determined that Christina was incapable of managing her personal affairs and appointed her son-in-law, John Craig, to protect Christina’s interests. On the same day Craig executed a bond that he would comfortably maintain Christina and manage her estate. Christina’s son, Isaac Funkhouser, and son-in-law, John Ryan, were Craig’s sureties. [11] Christina died in 1864. [12]
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Funkhouser-75
