John CONKINGS

CONKINGS, WILDE, WHEELER, NELSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/21/2013 at 13:27:29

May 14, 1850 --- January 10, 1922

John Conkings was born May 14, 1850 at Shawnee Town, Illinois. He lived at different times at Moline, Illinois, Cedar Falls, and Parkersburg, Iowa, and moved onto the home farm near Eagle Grove in 1882. He was united in marriage to Miss Delcena Wheeler July 1st, 1880. To this union eight children were born, four of whom survive. They are: Mrs. Emily Wilde, Eagle Grove; Mrs. Arvig (Ione) Nelson, Mason City; Elmer LeRoy of Crookston, Minnesota, and Harrison Lee, of Hawarden. The Conkings family was especially saddened by the drowning of their son and brother, Lyle Conkings, in the Boone River several years ago.

In 1911 Mr. Conkings sold the home farm three miles southeast of Eagle Grove and moved to town. Later he built the fine, comfortable home the family now occupies, on South Iowa avenue. Both Mr. and Mrs. Conkings took special pride in keeping their home in good repair and the surroundings were always neat and orderly. When he sold his farm, he had but a few months previously completed an extensive building program on a well selected building site. The farm is still known as the John Conkings farm, now occupied by George Newcombe. It was with the determination that everything must be neat and tidy around his home that Mr. Conkings met with the accident which cost him his life. He was shoveling the snow off the roof of the front porch of his residence when the railing gave way and he fell about fifteen feet, sustaining a fracture of the skull and other injuries. The accident occurred Saturday, January 7th, and he died the following Tuesday morning, January 10th.

The funeral services were held in the home Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock and at the Methodist church at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. Muhleman had charge of the funeral services and Rev. Tyler preached the funeral sermon.

Mr. Conkings was widely known and universally respected. He made a friend of every acquaintance; he had not a single enemy. He was as straight as the moral law in all his dealings with his fellowmen and was charitable with any who might have sought to take an unfair advantage with him.

Mr. Conkings was a loyal member of the Yeoman lodge. The large floral offerings and the attendance at the funeral were evidence of the respect and esteem in which he was held by those who knew him. There is universal sorrow over his sudden passing and sincerest sympathy is extended the sorrowing relatives and friends who are left to mourn his loss.

January 19, 1922
EAGLE GROVE EAGLE -- Iowa

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January 12, 1922
EAGLE GROVE EAGLE -- Iowa

JOHN CONKINGS IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT

Falls From Roof of Porch, Landing on Head on Brick Walk

John Conkings died Thursday morning. He hardly regained consciousness after the fall from his porch in which he sustained a fractured skull and other injuries.

The funeral services will be held at the M. E. church this afternoon at 2:30, Rev. Muhleman having charge and Rev. Tyler preaching the sermon.

John Conkings fell from the roof of his porch on South Iowa avenue late Saturday morning, striking his head on the brick sidewalk. He fell at least ten feet. He was out on the roof to sweep off the snow and slipped and fell, taking a part of the railing with him as he fell. He struck on the left side of his head, fracturing the skull, breaking his wrist and it was also thought his jaw was broken.

Mrs. Fred Young was an eye witness to the accident. She saw Mr. Conkings fall and ran to his assistance also calling to M. E. Parsons who was coming up the street to help her. They carried Mr. Conkings into the house and the doctors were immediately summoned. They did what was possible to make the injured man as comfortable as possible and advised sending for the children at once. Those living away from here are: Elmer Conkings, Crookston, Minnesota; Harrison Conkings, Hawarden, and Mrs. Arvig Nelson of Mason City. Mrs. Emily Wilde, a daughter, lives in this city.