EDWARD AND LUCINDA VANDERHOOF CONKLIN

Edward Conklin was born on April 29, 1838 in Pequannock, Morris County, New Jersey. Edward's parents were David and Jemina Taylor Conklin. He married Lucinda Vanderhoof, she was born on March 3, 1845.

Edward was a private with Company G, 27^th New Jersey Infantry during the Civil War.

Edward and Lucinda came to the Lakefield Township area from Montville, Morris County, New Jersey. The1880 Michigan Agricultural Census shows that Edward owned 15 acres of tilled land and 35 acres of woodland and forest in Lafayette Township, Gratiot County, Michigan.

Edward and Lucinda had the following children:

1. Ann A. Conklin was born October 14, 1862 in Boonton, Morris County, New Jersey.

2. Henry Wilson Conklin was born February 19 1864 in Boonton, Morris County, New Jersey. He married Anna Bird Russell on March 31, 1888 in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan by Rev. W.R. Seaver. Henry died on February 22, 1939 in Waterford, Oakland County, Michigan.

3. Charles Ellsworth Conklin was born January 6, 1868 in Boonton, Morris County, New Jersey. He married Mary Ann Suber on December 30, 1896 in Ithaca, Gratiot County, Michigan by Justice of the Peace James G. Kriss. Charles died on October 16, 1943 and Mary on February 7, 1965. They are both buried in Lakefield Township Cemetery.

4. Morten “Mort” Mortimer Elmer Conklin was born June 6, 1872 in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan. He married Martha Yost on March 10, 1895 in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan. Mort and his family moved back to Merrill and lived on a 40 acre farm in Section 33 of Jonesfield Township on Meridian Road between Gratiot and Ederer Roads. Mort's property was across Meridian Road from his father, Edward Conklin's property, which was located in Wheeler Township, Gratiot County, Michigan. Mort's brother, Charles Conklin, also Mort's neighbor, owned his property in Section 4 of Lakefield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan, which was located on Meridian Road between Ederer and Swan Creek Roads . Morten was on the Merrill  School Board for 18 years. Mort died on June 12, 1942,  and along with Martha, is buried in the Ridgelawn Cemetery, Breckenridge, Gratiot County, Michigan.

5. Bert Conklin was born November 28, 1885 in Merrill, Saginaw County, Michigan and died on May 30, 1919.

The following chattel mortgage record was found in the Lakefield Record Book, dated AUGUST 1, 1882, it states the following: “Presents does grant bargain sell and mortgage unto the said Robert Smith the following goods and chattels and personal property to wit: One cow three years old mostly white – and one cow five years old red one ox red and white spot on forehead five years old one stag mostly white six years old which said above described goods chattels and personal property at the date here of are situate at the residence of the said EDWARD CONKLIN IN THE TOWNSHIP OF LAKEFIELD SAGINAW COUNTY MICHIGAN and are free and clear from all liens, Conveyances encumbrances and levies and for a valuable consideration. I EDWARD CONKLIN warrant the above representation to be true the said Robert Smith to have and to hold the same forever provided always and the condition of these presents is such that of the said EDWARD CONKLIN shall pay or cause to be paid the said sum of Sixty Dollars the debt aforesaid on or before the First day of AUGUST 1882 then thus instrument shall be void and of no effect and I the said EDWARD CONKLIN agree to pay the same accordingly but the fault be made in such payment the said Robert Smith is hereby authorized to and shall sell at public auction after the like notice as is required by law for constables sales the good chattels and personal property herein before mentioned insomuch there of as may be necessary to satisfy and said debt interest and reasonable expenses and to retain the same.....”

The 1894 State of Michigan U.S. Soldiers of the Civil War Census states that Edward Conklin is living in Lakefield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan.

By 1901, according to the Wheeler Township, Gratiot County, Michigan Plat Map, Edward owns 40 acres in Section 36 on Meridian Road of Wheeler Township, Gratiot County, Michigan. His property was across the road from Jonesfield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan and to the north of Lafayette Township, Gratiot County, Michigan and also northeast and across the road from Lakefield Township Saginaw County, Michigan. All four townships are on Meridian Road between Gratiot and Ederer Roads. Ederer Road is the border between Jonesfield and Lakefield Township in Saginaw County. The 1900 Michigan U.S. Census also states that Edward and is family were living in Wheeler Township, Gratiot County, Michigan.

Edward died on January 2, 1909 in Wheeler, Gratiot County, Michigan and Lucinda died on April 7, 1927. They are both buried in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Breckenridge, Gratiot County, Michigan.

SOURCES: 1850, 1860,1870, 1880, 1900 United States Census; U.S. Soldiers of the Civil War Census 1894; Lakefield Township Records; 1901 Wheeler Township, Gratiot County Plat Map; Ann Conklin's birth record; Charles and Henry Conklin's marriage record; Edward, Henry and Charles Conklin death record; Find-A-Grave Website; Morten Conklin's death record, obituary, and 1916 Jonesfield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan Plat Map.