For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 751
WILLIAM DAVID CONKLIN....William David Conklin, who owns a well cultivated farm in Wapsinonoc township and is recognized as one of the substantial men of the locality, was born in New Jersey, April 5, 1867. He is the son of William E. and Matilda ( Weyer ) Conklin, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New York city. They were married in that city and in 1880 came west, remaining for three years in Missouri. Believing that more favorable conditions prevailed in the state of Iowa, Mr. Conklin disposed of his interests in Missouri and located at West Liberty, Iowa, continuing there until his death, which occurred in 1908. The mother is still living and has arrived at the age of sixty-five years. Of their family of nine children, eight are living, the subject of this review being the oldest. The other members of the family are : Rose, now the wife of Spencer Ayres, of West Liberty : Anna, the wife of David Cornwall, of Downing, Iowa ; Isabel N., now Mrs. Erb Lodge, of West LIberty ; Charley E and George M., also of West Liberty ; Hattie L., the wife of Justin Gray, of West Liberty ; and A. Benjamin, also of West Liberty.William David Conklin came to Iowa with his parents at the age of thirteen years. He received his education in the common schools of New Jersey and Iowa and continued with his parents until twenty-three years of age. Having married, he worked by the month for five years and then began renting land, managing with good judgment that in 1909 he purchased sixty-five acres on section 2, Wapsinonoc township, which is now one of the most desirable places of its size in the township and pays a handsome revenue.
On the 3d of July, 1890, Mr. Conklin was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Marolf, who was born in Switzerland, March 14, 1868, a daughter of Benjamin and Anna B, ( Moore ) Marolf, both of whom are deceased. Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Marolf two besides Mrs. Conklin came to America, namely : Alfred, who is now living upon a farm east of West Liberty ; and Gottfred, of South Dakota. The other brothers and sisters of Mrs. Conklin still make their home in Europe. Five children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Conklin: Elmer E., born February 8, 1891 ; Anna M., April 14, 1892 ; Lura May, January 13, 1894 ; Minnie Louise, January 25, 1902 ; and Mabel L., December 25, 1904. All are living at home, being given every advantage that the public schools present and also of the inestimable blessing of a genial home atmosphere.
Mr. Conklin from the beginning of his business career has been active and industrious and as he has used good judgment he has met with the success that results from well applied labor. He is an earnest advocate of the principles of the republican party and is now serving most acceptably as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at West Liberty. He has reared his children in the Protestant faith and by their upright and useful lives Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have attracted many friends in Wapsinonoc township.
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