Person:Theodore Conklin (1)

Theodore Lurton Conklin, son of Amos and Sarah Vincent (Vinson) was born on 21 March 1888 in Jerseyville (Jersey County), Illinois. On 23 April 1921 he married Frederica Marie Keller, daughter of Cosmos and Mary Jane (Knapp) Keller in St. Louis, Missouri. When Ted was a teenager, his family sold their farm and moved into the town of Jerseyville.Ted graduated from Jersey County High School and attended a business college in St. Louis. He was in the Marines in World War I and fought at the 2nd Battle of the Marne and Belleau Woods. During the war, he was wounded and gassed with mustard gas. Before marrying, he spent some time in Oregon where he may have worked as a forester. He must have enjoyed this period of his life as he often told his granddaughter that he would have liked to have lived there. A train receipt shows that he spent $40.10 for a ticket to Klamath Falls, Oregon on March 15, 1914. He also worked for the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan. After returning to Jerseyville and marrying, Ted held various government jobs which included road construction work, state highway patrolman, manager of Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois, and Jerseyville City Commissioner.

Theodore died on 3 August 1973 in Jerseyville. Both Theodore and Frederica are buried in the Conklin family plot at Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.

1900 census-Theodore L; Mar 1888; 12; born IL

1910 census-Theodore L; 22; census enumerator

1917-World War I draft registration-Theodore Lurton Conklin; 29; resides Jerseyville; born 21 Mar 1888 in Jersey, IL; not employed; single; enlisted in Marine Corps; tall; slender; light brown eyes; light brown hair; slightly bald. He was in the 96th Co of the US Marine Corp. It was one of the most decorated Companies in WW1. They were involved in every major battle from June 1918 till the end of the war Nov 1918. What they did in 5 months was incredible. As many other men Ted was mustard gassed.

1920 census-Theodore; 31; manager; creamery

1930 census-IL-Jersey-Jersey-Jerseyville-21 Apr 1930-ED 42-9-sheet 4A-Lafayette Street-lines 18-22-dwelling 87-family 92-Theodore Conklin; rents for $15/mo; has radio; 42; married at age 33; born IL; father born OH; mother born IL; patrolman; State Highway; Fredricka; 41; married at age 32; born IL; father born IL; mother born MO; teacher; school; Mary Winifred; 8; born IL; Marjorie Bell; 5; born IL; Mary Keller; mother-in-law; 68; widowed; born MO; father born England; mother born Ireland

1942-World War II draft registration-Theodore Lurton Conklin; resides State Park, Grafton, Jersey, IL; 54; born 21 Mar 1888, Jersey, IL; phone Grafton 1175; next of kin Mrs Frederica Conklin; mailing address Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, IL

From: Alton Evening Telegraph | Alton, Illinois | Friday, October 13, 1933 | Page 3

Purple Heart Gallantry Award For T. L. Conklin Jerseyville Man is Given Long Delayed Honor For His Service

JERSEYVILLE, Oct. 13, (Special) A Purple Heart Medal has been Awarded by the Federal government through the Navy Department to Theodore L. Conklin of Jersevvllle for military merit in action during the World War. Conklin was a member of the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted in 19" shortly after this country entered the war and took ten weeks Intensive training at Paris Island, S. C. He was transferred to Quantlco, Va., and assigned to the 96th Company, Second Battalion, Regiment of Marines. Conklin landed with his company at St. Nazaire, France on February 5 1918 and went into the trenches March 17 with the Sixth Regiment which formed part of the Second Division. For a period of 45 days they remained In the Verdun and Tour sector. The great German offensive to capture Paris began and was proceeding to a point in close proximity to the French capitol. The Second Division turned the point of the German offensive back at Bellau Wood and It was in this fight that the Marine Corps won fame. Conklin was seriously gassed June 12, 1918 during this battle. Out of 8,000 Marines engaged in the combat, 6,000 were either killed or wounded. At one time Conklin's Company had less than 20 men. After this battle a Conklin was taken to a hospital where he remained for a month. Upon his return to service he participated in the American offensive in the St. Mihiel sector. In that battle he was hit by a machine gun bullet which passed through both legs at a point below the thigh joint, This wound placed him in the hospital for an additional five months. The medal received by Conklin bears on its face the image of George Washington. On the ribbon attached to the medal is a cluster of oak leaves. An additional Purple Heart service ribbon containing a miniature oak leaf cluster, a second unadorned. service ribbon and a lapel bar complete the accessories of the award. On the back of the medal is engraved, "For Military Merit—Theodore L. Conklin

Theodore L. Conklin

Theodore L. Conklin