Joseph Conklin, one of the best and widely known of our businessmen, died last Friday morning, aged almost 57 years. He was the second son of Felix and Mary A. (sic) Conklin; and was born at Riley, Butler county, Ohio, July 17 1834. When four years of age his parents removed to Liberty, this State, where he grew to manhood. In 1866 he came to this place and engaged in the hardware trade with his brother, William H., and the firm became W. H. and J. Conklin. William H. died several years since, and Joseph continued the business up to the time of his death. He was long a sufferer from dropsy, but continued to look after the affairs at the store, until last winter when he became confined to his room. During bright days of the present spring he would occasionally come upon the street and greet his friends, to whom it was painfully apparent that his life was rapidly closing.
He was a generous hearted citizen, who was always in good humor and on this account in particular he will be missed from among us. Neither he or his brother, W. H. were ever married, and the only members of the family remaining are the aged and respected father, and J. Newton, a brother.
Funeral services were conducted on Sunday afternoon at the family residence by Rev. Steele, assisted by Rev. Tharp. The attendance of relatives and friends was quite large. The remains were interred in Riverside cemetery.
