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Funk, Leonard

Last Name:	Funk
First Name:	Leonard
Dates:	1868 - 1934 (Life/Active Dates)
Biography/History:	Leonard Funk was born in Wisconsin in 1868, where his family moved from Luxembourg with several farming families. The small community built houses together on small plats as in Europe. Leonard remained on the family farm until 15 years of age, when he entered into apprenticeship with a local builder. On Feb. 16, 1889, his 21st birthday he married Odelia Spiegler; now a certified cabinetmaker, Funk and his bride left for Spokane in 1889 where they arrived in the midst of a building boom brought on by a major downtown fire. The Funk family, which grew to include nine children, lived at Fifth and Ivory near Union Park and Edison School. Funk founded the Spokane chapter of the Carpenters’ Union, serving many terms as president. Construction trades were critical to this region during the boom decades around 1900. He turned down a nomination for national president because acceptance would have required him to move from Spokane. In 1901, he was elected a member of the city council, during which time he was elected president. In addition he served as president of the park board, and in 1915, was elected a city commissioner. He headed Spokane Public Works, served nine years as mayor, and died in office in 1935. Spokane honored him by naming a street and bridge after him. In addition to his professional life, Mayor Funk was a beekeeper with a large flower garden and greenhouse at his home, where he propagated new varieties of dahlias. He had a cabin at Newman Lake, where he would fish for bass and hunt deer. He was known for his wit and humor, and was in demand as a public speaker. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, the Elks, the Eagles, and the Carpenters’ union. He was a past Noble Grand of the Odd Fellows and was a member of the building committee when the Elks erected their temple.
Related Objects:	3955.1 (Trunk, Leonard Funk's Trunk, 1889-1900)