BIO: Henry M. Conklin, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER LIX. UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP. 564 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: HENRY M. COCKLIN, retired, P. O. Bowmansdale. In 1772 Jacob Cocklin came to Cumberland County, Penn., and purchased the Spring Dale farm. Previous to his settlement here, however, he had been a resident of Lancaster County, Penn., going there from Germany in 1733. He had two sons (Jacob and David) and two daughters. Jacob Cocklin, Jr., was the father of Michael, Jacob, David, Catharine, Margaret, Mary and Christiana (his wife was Margaret Hoover, of Lancaster County, Penn.). Michael, the eldest son of Jacob, Jr., and Margaret (Hoover) Cocklin, rose to great prominence in the history of this county, by reason of his erudition and merit. Reared on a farm, with but the limited facilities for obtaining an education in the district schools, it is indeed remarkable that this man should become so noted and gain such a reputation among the people of his county and State for his wisdom, honor and public spirit. He was not married until his thirty-third year, engaging in farming until that event. His marriage with Elizabeth Hopple was celebrated in 1828, and their housekeeping was commenced on the Spring Dale farm, which he then owned. Five children were born on the homestead which had been so long in the possession of their ancestors, viz.: George, Mary, Henry M., Andrew J. and Sarah E. In 1832 Michael Cocklin was elected a member of the General Assembly, and in 1834 was re-elected. Having long noted the inefficiency of the school system then in vogue, he, with other members of the Assembly, promulgated a plan which was carried into successful operation, and the creation of a free school system was the result. After his second official term had expired he resumed farm life. Twenty-two years later, and much against his desire, the people of Cumberland County nominated and elected him associate judge (in 1856), which position he so satisfactorily filled that he was again elected in 1861, and served another term of five years with equal honor to himself and his constituents. The position was again tendered him, but was firmly refused, as his business affairs demanded his entire attention. Retiring from the bench at the age of seventy-one years with an unimpeachable record, Judge Cocklin found the old home farm a haven of refuge and rest from the cares and annoyances of public life. He was always an indefatigable worker, and was administrator of many valuable estates. The management of the farm was given to his son Henry at the time he was elected judge, and this continued until 1884. In 1879 the death of Judge Michael Cocklin occurred, and his remains were interred with due solemnity in the cemetery near the Union Church. His aged widow still resides on the old homestead with her daughter, Mrs. Sarah E. Crist. Henry M. Cocklin, our subject, was married, in 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Linebach) Himes. To this union were born six children: George M., Clara A., Mary J., Emma E., Andrew R. and William H. Mrs. Cocklin died in 1869, and in 1870 Mr. Cocklin was married to Mrs. Caroline F. (Gardiner) Cocklin, widow of Andrew J. Cocklin, by whom she had three children: Adda I., Michael G. and Lura M. By Mr. Cocklin's second marriage he has one child - Nevin Harbaugh. All the children reside in this county; the three children by Mrs. Cocklin's first marriage residing in a home by themselves at Mechanicsburg. Our subject has been an active agriculturist for many years, and is one of the originators and charter members of the Grange movement in this county. Naturally of a retiring disposition he has persistently refused the official honors which have been frequently offered him, and only by great persuasion was he induced to become a trustee of the theological seminary of the Reformed Church, located at Lancaster.