RANDOLPH COUNTY, INDIANA, 1481
. . JACOB E. CONKLIN.
The Conklin family is eminently entitled to specific mention in a work of the nature of the one in hand, for the name has been an honored and influential one here since the early pioneer days. The various members of the family have played well their parts in the local drama of civilization, leading industrious, helpful and honorable lives, taking a leading part in the general upbuilding of the locality. One of the best known of the younger generation is Jacob E. Conklin, successful farmer and stock raiser of Wayne township.
Mr. Conklin was born in the above-named township and county on September 19, 1874. He is a son of Jacob Conklin, who was born in Randolph county on April 14, 1846, and was a son of Samuel and Catherine
Conklin, who were among the first settlers of the county, braving the wilderness here when neighbors were few and privations and hardships many.
Jacob Conklin, the father, grew up amid pioneer conditions and found plenty of hard work to do in assisting his father develop the home farm from the virgin soil. He received such education as the old-time schools of the rural
districts afforded. In 1865 he married Mary A. Ingle, and to them six children were born, three of whom are still living. Mr. Conklin has devoted his life to general farming and has been very successful. He owns a valuable
and well-kept farm of one hundred and forty acres three miles west of Union City. He and his wife are members of the Christian church at Harrisville.
The paternal great-grandfather, Samuel Conklin, was one of the earliest settlers of Randolph county. He was a native of New jersey, from which state he came overland to this county when it-was considered on the frontier of American civilization, and here he made for himself and family a home in the great woods, when neighbors were few and far between, but he was a man
of resolute determination and far-seeing traits which have ever predominated in the Conklin family, so he directed his strength and efforts with that iron will which such hardy frontiersmen usually possessed, and be cleared his land to fertile fields, a comfortable home in due time arising as a result of his efforts. This family to the present day are all people of industry and frugality and are prosperous, prominent and highly respected citizens.
The subject of this sketch has two sisters. Mrs. Melissa Jones, of Wayne township, and Mrs. Catherine Combs, of White River township, this county.
Jacob E. Conklin grew to manhood on the home farm a11d he assisted with the general work there when a boy. He was educated in the common schools of his community and at the Union City high school. Early in life he took up farming. which has continued to be his vocation and he has made a pronounced success as a general farmer and stock raiser. He now owns a choice and valuable farm of eighty acres in Wayne township, where is to be seen a tastily kept dwelling. substantial outbuildings and a good grade of live stock. He has every modern convenience about his home and farm and everything denotes that a gentleman of good management and thrift is in charge here. His valuable place lies just north of Harrisville, Politically, Mr. Conklin is a Democrat. but has never aspired to the emoluments of office, although interested deeply in public matters. Religiously. he is a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Conklin was married on September I2, 1896. to Margaret E- Diehl who was born in White River township, this county, December 28. 1878. Here she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. She is a daughter of W. R. Diehl. a substantial farmer of White River township. this county. To our subject and wife one child has been born. Bessie Mae
Conklin. whose birth occurred July 23, I913.
