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 in-
fluential 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 ¥Vayne 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 Ran-
dolph 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 wilder-
ness here when neighbors were few and privations and hardships many.
_lacob 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 chil-
dred 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 fru-
gality and are prosperous, prominent and highly respected citizens.
The subject of this sketch has two sisters. Mrs. Melissa Jones, of \Vayn<
township, and Mrs. Catherine Combs, of \-Vhite 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 ne\'er aspired to the
emoluments of office, although interested deeply in public matters. Relig-
iously. he is a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Conklin was married on September I2, 1896. to Margaret E- Difihlt
who was born in \Vhite River township, this county, December 28. 1878.
Here she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. She
is a daughter of \V. 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.
