My Genealogy Hound

HENRY H. CONKLIN. This name is familiarly known to the citizens of New Jasper Township, Greene County, as representing one of its most liberal and public-spirited men. He is prominent in all the enterprises tending to the moral advancement of the people around him, and who have shown him their confidence nd esteem in many ways. For a time he was a member of the County Board of Commissioners, and has held various other positions of trust and responsibility. At the present time he gives his attention chiefly to farming pursuits, having two hundred and one acres of well-developed land, which, with its buildings and other appurtenances, contitutes one of the most desirable homes in this county. Mr. Conklin deals considerably in live stock, and has been uniformly successful.

Mr. Conklin was born in the town of Lumberton, Clinton County, this State, on the 16th of December, 1844, and is thus in the prime of life. He is the offspring of an excellent family, being the son of Harvey F. and Hannah (Noland) Conklin, who were natives respectively of New York and Virginia. They were married in Ohio, and were among the early residents of Clinton County, whence they removed to this county, where the father followed farming and blacksmithing combined. He died at Lumberton about 1882, but the mother died in this county in 1888. The parental household consisted of nine children, eight of whom are living. Henry H. is the fourth in order of birth. He was quite young when the family came to this county, of which he has been nearly a life long resident. He acquired his education in the common schools, and remained under the home roof until reaching his majority. Soon afterward, August 23, 1866, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary J. Hook, at the bride’s home in Xenia Township. This lady was born December 6, 1848, in Xenia Township, and is a daughter of Charles and Clarinda (Johnson) Hook, who were natives of this county, and whose family consisted of three children, Miss Mary being the second born.

Mr. and Mrs. Conklin, after their marriage, settled on a farm in the vicinity of Xenia, where they sojourned until removing to that which they now own and occupy. There have been born to them six children, the eldest being Cora K., who is the wife of James Albert Bales, and lives in New Jasper; Clyde, Laura C., Hattie P. and Hannah M. are at home with their parents. One child died in infancy. Mr. Conklin was elected County Commissioner in the fall of 1883, and served six consecutive years. He has held some of the school offices, and takes quite an active part in politics, giving his support to the Republican party. He has always been interested in educational matters, and with his estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they contribute a liberal support.

During the progress of the Civil War Mr. Conklin enlisted in the Union Army, in March, 1863, and was occupied as a teamster a month, then on account of illness was obliged to accept his discharge. The following year, in April, he re-enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, with the one hundred days’ men. He participated in the engagement at New Creek, W. Va., but aside from this saw no active service.