Person:Harrison Conkling (1)

Harrison Wellsbert Conkling, son of Samuel and Margaret (King) Conklin was born on 21 August 1860 in Delphos, Ohio. The 1870 census lists him as Harrison, but most records refer to him as Harry. An Allen County Ohio history reports that he was at Dutton House in Topeka, Kansas. Between January, 1884 and July, 1890, Harry, as a single man, purchased several pieces of land in Reno County, Kansas. On 24 October, 1892 Harry and his wife, Elizabeth C. Conkling of Santa Clara County, California sold his Kansas land to his brother, Frank. On 2 December 1891 he married Elizabeth Clara Cottle, in Evergreen (Santa Clara County), California. She was the daughter of Orlando B. and Sarah (Marshall) Cottle . A family story recorded by either Harry’s daughter or niece says that: “in 1890 Harry came to California to visit his aunt, Mrs. Love (Freelove) Conkling Dunn, who lived on San Felipe Road in Evergreen (East San Jose). He met Lizzie (Elizabeth Clara Cottle) at the young people’s social gatherings at Evergreen. They were married at the O.B. Cottle home. Starting with a small feed store in 1892, Harry built his business into three grocery stores. One was located on the north west corner of First and San Antonio Streets, another at Mt. Herman, and the third at 11th and San Carlos. This was just a few blocks from his home and a must stop for all Cottle relatives either buying, or selling ranch products as butter and eggs, or just visiting. Lizzie graduated from State Normal in 1884. Her first school was at Pleito, Monterey County. Her salary was 65 dollars a month with 15 extra for board, but the school house was not finished; so she had to teach out in a grape arbor, weather permitting. Then she took the Evergreen position.”