Lawrence Conklin

LAWRENCE CONKLIN, one of the most prominent farmers in Pleasant View township, Cherokee County, was born in 1832 in Licking County, Ohio. In the spring of 1858 he moved to Missouri, and four years later, in the fall, found him in Pike County of that State, where he followed theoccupation[sic] of teaching. During the Civil War he returned to Ohio, where he remained until 1867, when he turned his face Westward. The journey to the West was made with horses and wagon, a large drove of sheep being driven ahead. After a short stop in Illinois, he proceeded to Cherokee County, Kansas, where he purchased what were then called "treaty right" lands. This land was bought from the Indians, and was located on the old "Military Road," in section 10, township 32, range 25, in what is now known as Pleasant View township. Here the subject of this sketch opened a general store and did a thriving business for a while. As one of the pioneers in this part of the State, he had the usual varied experiences of a settler in a new territory.

In 1868, just one year after his arrival in Kansas, Mr. Conklin married Mary Susan Roberts, a daughter of the late "Squire" Roberts. This marriage resulted in one child, Murray K., who was born in Pleasant View township, where he has always resided. His wife, now deceased, was Maude Hudson, of the same township; their children are Inez M. and Ruth.

John C. Conklin, the father of Lawrence Conklin, was a native of Dutchess County, New York. He lived to the advanced age of 90 years, his death occurring in Ohio in 1894. His life occupation was that of farming. A most successful farmer, and a prominent man of his vicinity, he was also esteemed for his upright character and honesty of purpose. In politics, he was a stanch Republican, and was very active in working for the party. He was a justice of the peace for many years. He married Sally Cooley, of New York State. Her death occurred in Ohio in 1850, when 40 years of age. The family consisted of six children, four of whom are living, namely: Statira, Lawrence, John and Winfield Scott.

The grandfather, David Conklin, was a native of New York City. His ancestors, emigrating from Holland, were numbered among the original settlers of the State.

Of Lawrence Conklin as a citizen, no word of commendation is too strong. He combines qualities of character which make him most popular. One of the old guard who helped to form the Republican party, he followed it until he felt that it was leaving the teachings of the fathers, when he became an enthusiastic Populist. He represented the county, as a Republican, in the Legislature, in 1874, serving acceptably on several important committees. He has served as township trustee and member of the School Board, and was justice of the peace for 16 years.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 1/27/97.