The parents of our subject were John J. and Calista (Campbell) Conklin, natives of the Empire State, in which they were married and continued to reside until 1845. They then removed to Illinois, setting up their home in Elmwood Township, Peoria County, which was still but sparsely settled. There was at that time but one house in Elmwood, and that a log one. A tract of unimproved land on section 16, became the scene of the efficient labors of the husband, to whom farming was a life work. A log house was first built and from time to time, as his means would allow, Mr. Conklin put up other buildings and made various improvements.

The parents of our subject were poor when they came to Illinois, having but $10 when they reached here, but painstaking efforts and frugal management conquered adverse circumstances and they became possessed of a competence. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, well known and highly respected in the community, and the husband was prominent in local offices. He belonged to the Republican party. He died in 1876, but his widow still survives, being now seventy-eight years old. She lives with her daughter, Mrs. John Post, on the old homestead. The parental family consists of three children, of whom our subject is the first-born. William C. resides on section 16, and Adeline is the occupant of the old home.

The eyes of our subject opened to the light in Livingston County, N. Y., September 12,1 837. He was reared to the occupation of tilling the soil, his boyhood being spent in the manner customary on new farms and in securing such an education as the common schools afforded opportunities for. He began life for himself when twenty years old, renting and operating farms for several years. In 1861 he won as his companion Miss Zerelda Whitney, who has looked well to the ways of her household and has as capably managed her department of their affairs as our subject has the matters which pertained particularly to him. Mrs. Conklin is a daughter of Seva and Hannah Whitney, who died during her childhood.

In 1866 Mr. Conklin bought eighty acres of his present estate to which he afterward added, making up the quarter-section. The residence was new when he took possession of the property, and upon it he has kept up adequate repairs, surrounding it with other necessary buildings. He has been School Director and Pathmaster, manifesting an earnest interest in the matters which will add to the welfare of the community of which he has long been a respected member. He has always been interested in politics and believing that the principles of democracy are best adapted for the national good, he upholds them with his ballot. He has been a member of the Grange.

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