While talking with him, I mentioned I was looking for the Civil War along Route 66 for a possible Illinois Motor Tour next year. He had a big book on the Funk family's genealogy and got it out.
It turned out, Isaac Funk II, was serving in the Union Army when his father died. His mother went to Bloomington's Judge David Davis (whose home is a state historic site). The judge was a close personal friend of Abraham Lincoln and he persuaded Lincoln to sign a discharge so he could take over the family farm and business.
It is too bad that no one knows where that discharge is because of Lincoln's signature.
DIXIE TRUCKERS HOME
Just south of Funk's Grove, in McLean, is what some call the first truck stop on Route 66, the Dixie Trucker's Home, dating back to 1928 and closed just one day during that time because of a fire. It opened the next day under a tent until repairs could be made.
The name Dixie was chosen because of the warm home thoughts the word evokes. Otherwise, why would they name something Dixie this far north?
And, Dixie, as we know....
Not Looking Too Hard and Finding the Civil War on 66 Here in Illinois. --Old B-R'er
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