Sylvester J. Conklin Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 1037-1038

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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HON. SYLVESTER J. CONKLIN, of Clark, South Dakota. The name borne by 
this gentleman has become one of the most familiar in the state of 
South Dakota, by charm of pen and eloquence of address. A plain man 
himself, the trend of his ambition and efforts have been for the "plain 
people." Comprehensive in manner, deep in thought, rich in comparison 
and illustration, flowery at need and oft times eloquent, he wrote and 
spoke for them. He has tasted political life, experienced the loss of 
fortune and the failure of ambitions, and yet possesses a nature 
contented with the world as it has seen fit to use him, and his keen 
wit and deep sense of humor are ever manifest. A pioneer settler of 
South Dakota, and an editor of one of the most noted papers of the 
state, his name is prominently connected with its history. He is now 
passing his years in Clark, South Dakota, enjoying the communion of his 
fellow men. 

Mr. Conklin is a native of New York, and was born in Penn Yan, Yates 
county, May 5, 1829. He was the oldest of a family of three children 
born to Jude and Sarah (Jones) Conklin. At the age of twelve years he 
was apprenticed to a shoemaker and tanner, and for fourteen years 
quietly plied his trade. Though by nature a student, his hours in the 
school room were few after his eleventh year. During the campaign of 
1856 he became greatly interested in the issues at stake, and calls 
came for him to voice his sentiments at school houses and other public 
places, until finally he left the shoe bench and took the stump for 
John C. Fremont. He spoke throughout the state for five weeks, and the 
talent he displayed caused his friends to urge him to begin the study 
of law. He went to Wisconsin for that purpose and a new life was opened 
for him. He was admitted to the Wisconsin bar in 1857, and established 
a practice at Waterloo, in that state. He served in the state 
legislature of Wisconsin in 1859 and again in 1869. 

During the Civil war he served as quartermaster and as judge advocate 
of a general court martial. After the close of the war he was appointed 
supervisor of internal revenues for the district of Louisiana, 
Mississippi and Arkansas, with headquarters at New Orleans, and during 
four years of that service passed through some of the most exciting and 
perilous scenes of his life. He was admitted to the United State 
supreme court in 1871, and has since led a most active life, taking 
part in all state and national campaigns, wielding his pen, and 
stumping the states. 

In 1879, following a desire for pioneer life, he went to Dakota, and in 
May of that year established the "Dakota News," at Watertown, South 
Dakota. He homesteaded in Clark county, in September, 1879, although 
for twelve years thereafter his business interests were in Watertown. 
"Conklin's Dakotian" succeeded the "Dakota News," and became noted for 
its outspoken words for the people, and the firm stand it took against 
usury and its defense of the rights and interests generally of the 
farmers and working men of the state. He was connected with the 
Farmers' Alliance, and delivered one hundred and eighty-five addresses 
in its interest in the state. He rapidly became prominent in state 
political circles, but steadily refused nomination for any office, 
preferring to come before the people as a journalist and public 
speaker, having no personal political ends or ambition to attain. 
Hence, however men may differ with him in opinion, there are none who 
will question his sincerity. 

Our subject was married, in 1848, to Miss Maria Wait. Three children 
were born of this union, namely: Alice, Emmett F. and Charles A. Mr. 
Conklin was remarried, in 1884, to Miss Mattie Geenslet, and again, in 
1895, to Mrs. Anne Duff. 

Mr. Conklin has been a member of the Republican party since its 
organization, and is a strong advocate of equal suffrage. He is 
prominent in secret society circles, and for forty-eight years has held 
membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been a 
member of the Masonic fraternity forty-two years and attained the 
thirty-second degree in that order. The Brotherhood of Purpose, a well 
known society for the "plain people," was instituted through the 
efforts of our subject. Although advanced in years he is vigorous and 
active as most men at fifty years; his voice is still heard in public 
where his personality attracts, and his arguments and eloquence hold an 
audience in rapt attention; he is often and very properly referred to 
as "the old man eloquent" of South Dakota.