OBITUARY
WILLIAM H. CONKLIN, the oldest son of Felix and Mary L. Conklin, died on Saturday, January 29th, 1887. About two weeks before his death he accidently (sic) scratched the palm of his left hand on the sharp point of barbed wire, and erysipelas set in and spread over his entire arm, which caused his death.
The deceased was born Oct. 9, 1832, at Reily, Butler County, Ohio - came with his parents to Liberty, Ind. in 1836 - at the age of 15 came to Cambridge City to clerk in the dry goods store of his uncle, Benjamin Conklin, in East Cambridge, with whom he remained until 1852. He then entered Guthrie's Commercial College, at Cincinnati, from which he was a graduate. In 1858, he and his cousin, David Conklin, formed a co-partnership in the hardware business at Indianapolis, continuing the same until 1867. He then returned to this place and has been prominently identified with the hardware trade here until his death. He possessed most excellent qualifications, thoroughly posted in his branch of the trade, always pleasant and obliging in his dealings.
During the early years of his life he was the leader of social events of our town, and was, perhaps, the most widely known young man in the society circles of Eastern Indiana. Having been so long a resident of this place, he had almost become one of our landmarks, and his genial presence will be missed as much as any other person in our midst. Like all the rest of the human family we know he had his faults as well as his virtues, but we think that when the final balance sheet is struck his many virtues and acts of charity will place him on the credit side. May he rest in peace.
The funeral services were conducted at the family residence on Monday at 1 P.M., by Revs. Clark and Retts, in the presence of a large circle of friends. Interment in Riverside Cemetery.
