Joseph Funk, born March 9, 1777, and died Dec. 24, 1862, was known as the “Father of song in Northern Virginia.” He was a teacher, translator, author, publisher, and printer. In 1816 he published “Choral Music,” and in 1832 the first edition of “Genuine Church Music.” Here in 1847 he and his sons began printing, first the fourth edition of “Genuine Church Music,” later famous as “Harmonia Sacra.” In 1878 Ephrain Ruebush and Aldine S. Kieffer, Funk’s grandson, moved the publishing house to Dayton.