WM. B. FUNDERBURGH AND FAMILY, Smith County, TX ***************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by Debbie Brown - cottagehill@altavista.com 16 May 2001 ***************************************************************** WM. B. FUNDERBURGH AND FAMILY "Some Biographies of Old Settlers." Historical, Personal and Reminiscent. Volume I By Sid S. Johnson, 1900: Sid S. Johnson, Publisher, Tyler, Texas Chapter LXXXI. - Pages 331-335 - Picture Wm. B. Funderburgh and family removed to Smith county in 1854, and settled 6 miles southeast of Tyler, where he opened up a large plantation. He was a very intelligent man, a practical farmer, a thorough going citizen and a successful man. Wm. B. Funderburgh was born in Clark county, Georgia, May 30th, 1808, and in a few years moved with his parents, Isaac and Sarah Funderburgh, to Alabama, living with them until their death. His father died October 21st, 1835; his mother in 1839, both dying in Autaga county, Alabama. Wm. B. Funderburgh died on his farm, where he first settled, on the 21st day of April, 1878, to the bereavement of his family, and the deep regret of his community. He had been married three times. First, to Miss Martha Wilson, in Alabama, who died on the 8th of September, 1847, in the State of her marriage. Several children were the fruits of this marriage. His second marriage was with Miss Louisa Works, who died in a few months after her marriage. His third marriage was with Miss Sarah Wilson. From this union they had twelve children; eleven are now living. The following family history is here given: Maltha Celone married R. E. Davis; she died in Louisiana; they had two children; both dead. Oakley Oyer married Miss Helen Hill, one of the daughters of Col. Jas. C. Hill; he died in the Confederate army in 1861; he had one daughter, Lena, who is now the wife of John S. Hill, living in Tyler. Onro Lama born on 16th of March 1840; died the same month.Orkney Eric died in the Confederate army in 1862; he was single. Oregon Cologne was born in October, 1841; lived only a few days. William Walter married Arah Nesbitt, near Camden, Arkansas; are residents of Tyler; have one child -- Bera Unice. Amanda married Solomon Robbins; they had six children; all the family are dead except three children -- John W., who is the present treasurer of the State of Texas; Archie S. and Katie, who lives at Athens, Texas. Occo Mantha is the wife of Thos. J. Owens, of Ennis, Texas. They have four living children, two married and two single. Omino Cubo is the wife of J. M. Bibby, who is a resident of Tyler, Texas. They have two boys and two girls. Ozark was born December 3rd, 1856, and died September 8th, 1858. Orpha Zanah, the wife of W. M. Bloodworth, now of Macon, Georgia, has eight children; two are married: Lizzie and Maimie. Osero Lano married the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Morris. They reside in this city, and have three children. Orsenica Fidelia married V. N. Barron; they reside six miles south of Tyler; they have three living children. Oglo Bano is a single young man; he resides on the homestead. Oto G. married the daughter of G. D. Wilson; they have three children; he lives on the old homestead. Oliver Welch married the daughter of J. T. Dickson; he lives near the old home. Ontie Otus married Thomas Ingram; they have one child; lives five miles from Tyler. Ogno Rano and Ogie Oden, (the youngest) are single, and reside on the old homestead. Mrs. Sarah Funderburgh, (the third wife) died on the 24th day of January, 1897. She was a good, Christian woman; intelligent and bright minded; she was a consistent member of the Baptist church. Wm. B. Funderburgh was of German descent. He came from that sturdy stock, and pursued in life a consistent, sturdy one that made him a good citizen and a successful, useful man. He was a Baptist, a charitable man, and when the summons came he was ready for the call. His children, grand children and great grand children compose a good and thrifty part of our enlightened population. He set a good example in life; his works of good deeds while here were a sure passport to the realms of happiness beyond the river.