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