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Page 904 JACOB CONKLYN (deceased). The subject of this memoir was a native of Jefferson Co., VA, born July 14, 1810. He was a son of Henry and Mary Conkyn. His father died in Virginia when Jacob was only 15 years old: he then learned the trade of blacksmith, and in 1834 came to this State in company with his mother and eight brothers and sisters, finally locating, in 1838, in this county, where they remained till the time of his death, his mother living near him until her death. Which occurred in 1847. Mr. C. followed the profession of blacksmith and carried on a farm at the same time till within the last ten years, when his health became so poor that he was obliged to abandon the trade as a business, and devoted his entire attention to the farm. He was a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than thirty years, and was consistent and exemplary Christian gentleman, always interested in the general welfare of the community. He was sober and upright, open-hearted and fondly attached to his family and friends. He was called from this life Feb. 8, 1880. Mrs. Conklyn remains on the farm with her son Jacob H. Mr. Conklyn was the father of eight children, four of whom are living. His marriage was celebrated with Miss Emily Hedges, Oct 25, 1838. Page 653-Urbana Township: EMORY HEDGES, farmer: P.O. Urbana. The father of Emory Hedges, Jonas Hedges, was born in Berkeley Co., VA, in 1789. His marriage to Miss Elizabeth Robinson, of that county was celebrated in 1811. They had three children, born in that stateJoseph, Mary and Ann. In 1818, they emigrated to this township, and their entire business life has been connected with its interests. Jonas was a remarkably successful business man, and his first purchase of 160 acres was added to until he was owner of 900 acres prior to his death. He served in the war of 1812, and was a pensioner at the time of his death. He built the first house on Sec. 11, Urbana Township, and this tract is still in possession of our subject. They were the parents of twelve children, five of whom are livingElizabeth Hamilton, Hamilton J., Samuel R., James R., and Emory. All but James live in the county, and will be represented in this history. The wife and mother died in 1834, and Jonas, her husband, in 1864, at the ripe old age of 74. He lived long enough to see the county interlaced with railroads, and the forests disappear, and in their stead appear beautiful fields of waving grain. The best years of their lives had been given to the development of this county, and too much honor cannot be given to the pioneers who reared families of noble sons and daughters to perpetuate their names, who are possessed of the same spirit of enterprise that characterized their ancestry. Emory was married in 1858 to Nancy J. Gainer, of this township. They have six children livingJonas H., Rebecca E., Wilber R., Marlay, Mary E. and Annie. The children are being well educated, and Jonas has been engaged in teaching, but as yet has chosen no profession. Their parents are both able and willing to give them all an academic education. The family history of the Hedges will form a very important part of the biographical series of Urbana Township. Mr. Hedges was a volunteer during the war of the rebellion, and served in Co. G, 134th Ohio V.I. He served in front of Petersburg, and was principally engaged in doing guard duty on the Appomattox and James Rivers. Page 654-Urbana Township ALEXANDER R. HEDGES, deceased. This worthy representative of the name died Dec. 29, 1873, and his wife, Ellen (Morris) Hedges, in February of the same year. They left a family of children, nine in number: their names are, respectively, Elizabeth A., Pearl I., Edward O., Rebecca C., Franklin J. Mary A., Deborah E., Martha E. and Frederick M.: they all reside in the county except onePearl I. Hedgeswho is in the drug business at Piqua. There are seven living on the old homestead. Three are married at this time. The father, Alexander, was quite a prominent man in his day, being Justice of the Peace, and for many years was a member of the school board. He was one of the originators of the agricultural society at Urbana, and from its organization until his death was one of its Directors. He was a member of the National Guards, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, being one of the most prominent officials. He reared his children in the faith of his fathers, and the example set by him has done much to give them that straightforward business character for which the Hedges family are noted. At the time of his death, he owned 185 acres of land. Page 654 Urbana Township HAMILTON HEDGES, farmer: P.O. Urbana. The subject of this sketch is the eldest son of Jonas Hedges, who is spoken of in the biography of his son Emory. Jonas was a prominent local politician in his day, and was one of the first to espouse the principles of the Republican party in this county. He was one of the originators of the Know-Nothing party, and was the third enrolling his name on their roster. He was largely engaged in the settling of estates, in which he gave universal satisfaction. He was a remarkable mathematician, although not having a collegiate education, and was largely endowed with a spirit of enterprise, being foremost in anything looking toward moral and social advancement. Having a cool head and being a close observer of matters pertaining to the business interests of the neighborhood, his judgment could always be relied on, and he seldom made a mistake. His death was greatly felt in the locality in which he lived so long. James and his two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, were given a collegiate education, the others attending only the common schools. All, however, received a good English education, which has done much to make them the practical business men and women that so ably represent the name. The marriage of Hamilton and Miss Ruth E. Gearard was celebrated De. 15, 1847. She was born in Winchester, VA, June 1, 1826. Their children are five in number, three sons and two daughters. Emily J. wedded Thomas Fuller: Jonas A. was married to Miss Carrie Laughlin, of Columbus: James, Nannie E. and George R live with their parents. There were three other children who died in infancy. Mr. Hedges has been Assessor of this township for sixteen years, and during all this time no complaints have been made. He has always been a leading man in his neighborhood in political matters, and during the war of the rebellion was an active worker in the organization of troops, being himself a member of Co. G, 134th Ohio V.I. Previous to entering upon his term of service, Mr. Hedges was unfortunate enough to lose an arm by accident, which necessitated his discharge. He has always been an exemplary man, and his record as such will ever live in the history of the county, and his descendants for all time may take a pride in their ancestry, who have, from their earliest connection with the countys interest, been foremost among those who have been honest, upright, and faithful to their trusts. Elizabeth Hamilton is the eldest daughter of Jonas Hedges, and her marriage to Nelson Miller was celebrated in 1836. One son (Robert M.) was born to them, who is now Deputy Sheriff of Champaign Co. The death of Nelson, his father, occurred in 1837. The marriage of Mrs. Miller to Joseph C. Hamilton occurred in 1840, to whom were born four children, all dying in infancy, except Virginia, who became the wife of D. W. Todd, of Urbana. The death of Mr. Hamilton occurred May 27, 1872. His widow resides on the farm which has been her home for many years. Her brother James married Miss Mary L. Hamilton, daughter of Joseph Hamilton, and their residence is in New York. They have only one son livingMerklin McLain, who resides in Springfield, Clark Co. Mrs Hedges died in July, 1862 and in 1866 he married Miss Lydia Huffman, of Dayton, Ohio. They have no children. -------------------------------- End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V99 Issue #447 *******************************************