WI BIO - Dane Co - CONKLIN, James
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol I, pp 232-233

James CONKLIN, an enterprising business man of Madison, Dane County, WI, was 
born in Burlington, Chittenden County, VT, 12 Jun 1831. His father, John 
CONKLIN, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and his father, Mathew 
CONKLIN, was also born there and spent his entire life in his native country, 
but two of his sons, John and Mathew, came to the U. S. [p 233] and settled 
in VT. John CONKLIN was reared in Ireland, learned the trade of blacksmith 
from his father, and came to America in 1829, accompanied by his wife and one 
child. They settled in Burlington, VT, and very soon Mr. CONKLIN was 
appointed janitor of the VT State University. In 1849 he came to Madison and 
secured the position of janitor in the WI State University, where he remained 
until his death, which occurred in 1867. The maiden name of his second wife, 
the mother of our subject, was Catherine O'DONNELL, of the same county as her 
husband [County Tipperary, Ireland]. Her death occurred in 1880, after she 
reared four children: James, Edward, Margaret, and John.

James CONKLIN received his education in the public schools of his native town 
[Burlington, VT], and removed to WI with his parents in 1849. There were no 
railroads in WI at that time, and they came via Lake Champlain to White Hall, 
on Champlain canal to Troy, from there on the Erie canal to Buffalo, thence 
by lake to Detroit, where he took the train for New Buffalo [Berrien County, 
MI]. From there he went by lake to Milwaukee, WI, whence he proceeded by 
team to Madison, Dane County, WI.

For two years James CONKLIN carried the mail from Madison to Prairie du Sac 
[Sauk County], and from Madison to Monroe [Green County]. He was then 
employed in teaming for one year. In 1854, as he had been very industrious 
and saved his earnings, he was able to purchase a team and begin active 
business for himself. In that same year he began to buy wheat and sell coal. 
In 1864 Neeley GRAY took him as a partner and they continued the business 
until the death of Mr. GRAY in 1867, when Mr. GRAY's sons succeeded to their 
father's interest in the business, which was continued until 1881, when Mr. 
CONKLIN and his son assumed charge, and have continued to run the 
establishment ever since.

In addition to his above mentioned business, James CONKLIN is interested in 
other enterprises. In 1873 he bought and retained for two years an interest 
in the ice business. In 1882 he purchased the plant. The ice houses on Lake 
Mendota have a capacity of 5,000 tons, and another house on Monona Lake has a 
capacity of 1,000 tons.

James CONKLIN was married in 1864 to Miss Mary EGAN, born in Canada, daughter 
of John EGAN, a native of Ireland. James and Mary (EGAN) CONKLIN have five 
children: James E., Mathew H., Margaret E., Mary B., and John W. The family 
are all members of St. Raphael's Church. In politics James CONKLIN is a 
prominent Democrat, and has served six years as a member of the City Council, 
representing the 1st Ward. He also served several years as a member of the 
Board of Education, four terms as Mayor, and in 1884 was elected to the State 
Senate, where he served on several important committees, one of which was the 
Committee on Claims. During his term of service as Mayor, the present fine 
system of water works was introduced, and much credit is due him for the able 
manner in which he superintended the enterprise.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly