BERLIN (HARMONIA)

Composer: Joseph Funk, 1778-1862

Joseph Funk USA 1778-1862. Born at Berks County, PA, grandson of the first Mennonite bishop in America. He lived most of his life in Rockingham County, VA. He was a farmer, a composer, publisher, and traveling singing teacher, covering hundreds of miles on horseback to teaching appointments. He married Elizabeth Rhodes, and they had five children: Jonathan, Henry, Elizabeth, Susan, and Barbara.. After her death, he married Rachel Britton in 1814, and they raised nine children: Mary, Joseph, David, Samuel. Hannah, John, Timothy, Solomon, and Benjamin. His advocacy for the use of musical instruments in church worship was in contention with the Mennonite position that musical instruments were not fit for the church. His sons also taugh… Go to person page >