Notes:

Birth:
Verify location.

Arlene married Major Verl Austin TAYLOR on 28 Mar 1944. Verl was born on 5 May 1921 in Hartford, Van Buren Co., Michigan; died on 22 Feb 1992 in Pasco, Florida; was buried in Fort Custer National Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Grand Rapids.

Alger married Lila Orenna FISHER on 9 Oct 1922 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Lila was born on 27 Feb 1899 in Hartford, Van Buren Co., Michigan; died in Dec 1981 in Watervliet, Berrien Co., Michigan; was buried in Keeler Cemetry. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lila is the daughter of Gertrude Haney & Ambrose M Fisher.

. Obituary for her mother, Gertrude Fisher:
Funeral services for Mrs. Gertrude Fisher, 87, will be held tomorrow at the Calvin chapel, with the Rev. William E. Goltz officiating. Mrs. Fisher died Tuesday night at Community hospital. Born at Hartford, Mrs. Fisher was the daughter of Thomas & Sarah Haney. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors & the Rebekahs.

Surviving is her husband, Ambrose; a son, Harold of Lawrence;
a daughter, Lila of Hartford; 3 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren;
a sister, Lyda Harlon of Constantine, and two brothers, Marlin Haney of Decatur and Delbert Haney of Florida. Burial will be in Keeler cemetery.

. Obituary for her father, Ambrose Fisher, 88, claimed by death:
Funeral services for Ambrose Fisher, 88, will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Calvin chapel. The Rev. William Martin will officiate. Burial will be in Keeler cemetery.

Fisher, who has been in ill health for some time, died Tuesday afternoon at his home at 214 Linden St. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Born in Missouri, Fisher is survived by a daughter, Lila, & a son, Harold of Lawrence. Also surviving are 3 grandchildren & 7 great-grandchildren. 
Ref: Hartford Day Spring, Nov 3, 1960.

. Remarried at 1940 to Warren C. Correll, b. 1897 - 1985, buried Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor. - - -

Buried:
Keeler, Van Buren Co., MI.

Notes:

Married:
Divorced 30 Sep. 1929.

Notes:

Leonard is the son of Ann H Halstad & George V Conkey, both of New York State.

. Leonard Conkey married on 2 Jul 1873, first Phebe Chart, b 1848, Canada;
He married 1 Oct 1889, second, Hattie Broecker, 1871, Illinois; &
He married 7 Dec 1892, third, Nellie M King.

. 1898 Apr 12 - Circuit Court Record - Judge Grove: James A Lombard Vs. Leonard L Conkey, motion for security for costs; motion granted, security to be filed within 30 days.

. 1900 Mar 4 - Real Estate Transfer: Leonard L Conkey & wife to Grand Rapids Medical College, Pt Lots 19 & 20, Lot 1, Comstock's plat $230.
Ref: Grand Rapids Herald.

. Leonard L. Conkey, D. V. S., M. F., Dean of Grand Rapids Veterinary college, & one of the leading veterinarians of the state, was born in Arlington township, Van Buren county, Mich., on the 8th day of May, 1851, but was left an orphan at the age of 6years. He passed his boyhood days on the farm of his uncle, Leonard L. Halsted, at White Oak, Mich., a small place on the M. C. R. R. Between Lawton & Decatur, where assisting in clearing up a 160-acre farm, he learned to work. Attending only a part of three or four winter terms of school, in a small country school-house, his early education was limited. In the spring of 1868, he took a position on the Niles Democrat, edited by A. J. Shakespear; although politically a democratic sheet, at that time it bore the name of 'Niles Republican.'

In the winter of 1858-9 he worked on the Lawton Tribune. He was next found industriously working at house, sign, ornamental & portrait painting. At this time he had acquired a fine turnout for moving his painting equipments, drawn by a beautiful pair of matched roan horses.
One day "Mack" his favorite horse, was found sick (Page 108) & unable to move, one veterinary after another was called, until the supply from the county was exhausted, yet poor Mack grew worse instead of better. Dr. F. A. Leaser, a graduate of the Berlin Veterinary college of Germany was called, he diagnosed the ailment, acute laminitis, prescribed for him & the horse made a quick recovery. This little episode with Mack & the common "hoss-doctor" said too plainly that there was a demand for good talent in the field of veterinary science. In the spring of 1878, he therefore began the study of veterinary medicine & surgery, at Bluffton, Ohio, under the instruction of Dr. Leaser.
After studying two years he began practice at Findlay, Ohio, where the greater part of practice was surgery. From Findlay he returned to Michigan, was in Niles for a few months with Dr. T. A. Bunbury, he then located in Dowagiac in 1884, meeting with marked success for a year & a half, when reverses overtook him, by which he lost both social & financial standing, he quitted the town, moving to Benton Harbor in 1887. While at the Harbor he completed the MS for a book on which he had been at work for several years, & in the year 1889 came to Grand Rapids & had his book published. In the same year he opened an office in the Lovett Block, opposite Sweet's hotel on Canal street.
Since coming to Grand Rapids the doctor's life has been as an open book before the public, & it can be said of a truth that he has regained all & even more then he lost in Dowagiac. In the meantime, however, the doctor has visited many towns in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan & other states as a specialist in surgery, & has been called from Grand Rapids to New York, to perform a single operation. Since coming to Grand Rapids the doctor has taken a college course, entering the Detroit college of medicine veterinary department, in 1895. Dr. Conkey organized the Grand Rapids Medical college in 1897, in which he still owns the controlling interest. Associated with him are about thirty of the leading physicians & veterinarians of the city. The institution grants the degree of M. in the medical department, D. V. S., in the veterinary department & M.F. in the farrier's department. Dr. Conley was elected dean of the veterinary department of the college by the board of trustees in 1898 & the prospects of the college are exceedingly flattering, as the doctor is one of the most widely known veterinarians in the middle states.

. The doctor's matrimonial adventures in early life were not all that could be desired, in fact, they were more like those of Columbus & others that might be mentioned, whose lives have been devoted to science, rather than to the study of human nature; however, he was united in matrimony with his present wife December 7, 1892, she having borne the maiden name of Nellie M. King; this union has been blessed with two children:
Opal Checora & Alger B. Conkey. Miss Opal, the elder, at four years old, can name & locate all the bones in the body of the horse, a remarkable thing for one so young.

Dr. Conkey joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1877, is a part grand of Bluffton lodge, No. 371, having filled the chair during the year 1882 & is at present a member of Phoenix lodge, No. 12, at Grand Rapids. He is not connected with any church organization, & in politics is independent.

. Veterinary Practice:
As an operator Dr. Conkey is unquestionably one of the most clever surgeons of the age. One of his favorite operations being that of abdominal cryptorchidy (riddling castration), while general surgery, in its many phases, is performed without seeming effort, or loss of life, his success, being truly wonderful. With such a man at its head, the success of the Grand Rapids Veterinary college is assured. The college is substantially fitted with lecture rooms, dissecting rooms, laboratories, hospital & horse-shoeing departments. Domestic animals, with all manner of ailments, are taken in, treated until well & cared for at the pleasure of the owners. The farrier's department is a leading feature of the college. Having a special provision in the charter, the trustees confer upon those gathering from this department the degree of master farrier (M F). Students in the veterinary department are required to attend the lectures in this department, that they may know & become familiar with, ailments of the feet.

No man is more devoted to his home & family than is Dr. Conkey, who idolizes his children & is devoted to his wife, providing all that heart can wish. His habits are temperate & he is never away from home except on business, returning at once when business is over. As an inventor of veterinary instruments Dr. Conkey has considerable merit. His first invention was the Emasculator, designed to take the place of the French instrument called the Ecraseur, used in animal castration. His next invention was the Conkey securing harness & operating hood. Then he fashioned the Conkey self-holding automatic chain buckle. These, later combines, have a worldwide reputation; with them & animal, regardless of his size or disposition, can be laid on a blanket at every trail. On the index page of J. Reynder's catalogue of veterinary instruments, of New York, are listed the Conkey's incisor cutters, Conkey's instantaneous trachea tube, etc. It is evident that Dr. Conkey has done more during the last 20 years for the profession than any other one man. Now that Dr. Conkey is at the head of a veterinary college, the eyes of professional lights in the United States are turned on him, watching with interest each step, he has already proclaimed many reforms in college work.

. Obituary Leonard L. Conkey
Dr. Leonard L. Conkey died at his home in Marne, Mich., June 6, 1924. He was born in Arlington, Mich., May 8, 1857.
Dr. Conkey founded the Grand Rapids Veterinary College, in 1897, became president of the institution & later was graduated from it, not previously having had a veterinary degree. He had attended the Veterinary Department of the Detroit College of Medicine for one term, but left this institution, with Dr. Hugh Rutherford, about 1897, to start a veterinary college in Grand Rapids. This was run as a 2 year institution until 1903, when the course was lengthened to three years. Graduates of the 2 year course were first recognized by the A.V.M.A. in 1911.
Regarded as a genius in some respects, Dr. Conkey was a very skillful surgeon, his ability in this field being built upon his deep knowledge of anatomy. He traveled all over the US to operate upon valuable race horses. On one occasion, while in England, it is reported, he performed an operation on a hunter owned by King George. Dr. Conkey invented the hobbles which bear his name, & the equine operating table, now known as the Simplicity, is the outcome of his inventive skill.

Dr. Conkey was always a turbulent figure in veterinary affairs in Michigan. Some will remember his attending one of the meetings of the A.V.M.A., about 20 years ago. Dr. Conkey was not a member, nor was he eligible to membership at that time. After his return home, he had his photograph taken in Prince Albert coat & high silk hat. Then he had the photographic plate retouched in such a way as to show him standing in a heavy snow-storm, indicative of his cool reception at the convention. He sent copies to a number of the prominent members of the Association. It was quite characteristic of him.
He leaves a widow & one son.
Ref: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1924, Vol. 18, p530. 

Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Buried:
Grand Rapids.

Leonard married Nellie Mae KING on 1 Dec 1892 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan. Nellie (daughter of Henry Lawrence KING, .1 and Hesther ESTHER LAWRENCE) was born in May 1870 in St. Joseph, Berrien Co., Michigan; died on 15 Aug 1957 in Inverness, Citrus Co., Florida; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:


Died:
verify location.

Buried:
Grand Rapids.

Notes:

Henry L King is the son of George W King, born Jefferson Co. NY & Susan Williams also of NY.

. Henry L. King came to Michigan in the fall of 1843 when he was 3 years old with his parents & sister Eunice. He had but very limited educational privileges, for he was busy from an early age. When but a boy he hauled staves to St. Joseph, where they were used in the manufacture of barrels.

Henry L. King remained at home until 21 years of age, after which he returned to Ohio. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted at New London, Ohio, in the 87th Ohio Infantry on June 4, 1862 for 3 months' service. He was captured at Harper's Ferry but was immediately exchanged & returned to Ohio. There he re-enlisted in 1863 as a member of Company G, 12th Ohio Infantry under Captain Graves, at which time he joined his regiment. His brother George enlisted at the same time. In the spring of 1864 he was sent to join the command of General Steele at Little Rock, Arkansas, & was discharged with his regiment on February 15, 1866.

When the war was over Henry L. King returned to his home & was married the following year, 1866, to Miss Esther Lawrence, a cousin of John Lawrence & a daughter of Richard & Elizabeth (Simonds) Lawrence, who had come from Canada before the war. Her father died while serving in the United States army & her mother, who long survived, passed away at the very advanced age of ninety years. She had lived with her daughter, Mrs. King.

When the Civil war was over HLK returned to his home in Ohio & was marred the following year 1866, to Miss Esther Lawrence.
In was in the spring of 1866 that Mr. King began to clean his tract of land of 40 A, given to him by his father. He also worked up the timber & this gave to him a living while he cleared the land.

Mr. King's study of the political issues & questions of the day has led him to give unfaltering support to the Republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise & yet he has never sought or desired office for himself, preferring to concentrate his time & energies upon his business affairs. Formerly he was identified with George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R., at Benton Harbor & he manifest the same loyalty in citizenship in times of peace that he displayed when in times of war he followed the old flag upon the battlefields of the south.
Ref: A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County, Michigan, Orville W Coolidge, 1906.

. Lawrence King, Sat, 21 May 1960, GR Press Engagement Announcement, P19,
Sun., 10 Jul 1960, GR Press Wedding Announcement, p 67,
Tues., 7 May 1968, GR Press Obit., p 52,
Sat., 26 Dec 2009, GR Press Obit, pA5. - - -

Died:


Buried:
Benton Twp., Berrien Co.

Henry married Hesther ESTHER LAWRENCE on 23 Aug 1866 in Berrien County, Michigan. Hesther (daughter of Richard S LAWRENCE, Jr., .8th, SUE and Mary Lizy ELIZABETH SIMONS) was born on 18 Jun 1844 in Toronto, York Co., Ontario; died on 21 Oct 1909 in Millburgh, Benton Twp., Berrien Co., Michigan; was buried in Crystal Springs Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

. 1867 Dec 19 Affidavit of sister Esther Lawrence King was present at the births of Clarissa & Almira Lawrence.

. 1889 May 31 & June 7th. - Unclaimed Letters remaining in the Benton Harbor Post Office: Mrs.Esther King.

. History of Berrien County, 1906
Henry L King Biograph:
His father Geo. D King was born Jefferson Co., NY, & came to Michigan in the fall of 1843 with wife Miss Susan Williams of NY, & 2 children Eunice (married Merzy Gustine, she died age 60y.) & Henry L. His birth having occurred on 27 Jan 1841, New London, Ohio. Mr. King trade his Ohio land for 80 lands on the Territorial Rd.
Henry L King, remained at home until 21 years, after which he returned to Ohio. Following the outbreak of the Civil ware he enlisted at New London Ohio, 87 Ohio Infantry for 3 months' service. He was capture at Harper's Ferry but was immediately exchanged & returned to Ohio returned. He re-enlisted in 1863 in Company G, 20 Ohio Infantry, under Capt. Graves. His brother George enlisted at the same time. In the spring of 1864 he was sent to join Gen. Steele at Little Rock, Arkansas, & was discharged with his regiment in 1865.
When the war was over Henry L King returned to his home & married the following year 1866 to Miss Esther Lawrence, a cousin of John Lawrence,
& a daughter of Richard & Elizabeth Simonds Lawrence, who had come from Canada before the war & lived in this vicinity. Her father died while serving in the US Army & her mother, who long survived, passed away at the very advanced age of 90 years. She had lived with her daughter, Mrs. King.

Unto Mr & Mrs King have been born 6 children:
Herman, died age 28 years, having graduated from Detroit Veterinary Collage.
Nellie is the wife of Dr. Leonard C Conkey, veterinary surgeon of Grand Rapids;
Cuba is at home.
Elmo is a veterinary surgeon at Lake View, Michigan.
Myrtle is the wife of Harry Wyman, of Benton Harbor;
Bert King is at home.
Mr. King is a Republican.

. 1909 Oct 26 - Esther Lawrence was born June 18, 1844, at Toronto, Canada & lived there until 15 years of age when she removed with her family to Michigan, August 23, 1866. She married Herman L King & has lived in the vicinity of Millburgh ever since. Her 6 children were born to her, girls & 3 boys, all of whom are still living wit the exception of the eldest son, Herman, who passed away July 22, 1894.
Mrs. King will be greatly missed by her neighbors as she has always been ready to help in times of sickness & has always been a loving friend & a devoted mother to there children & finally passed away in her old home, Thursday night, Oct 21 at 11:30 O'clock. She leave a husband & 5 children to mourn her loss: Mrs Nellie of Grand Rapids, Mrs D G Fuchs of Benton harbor, Mrs. Harry Weyman of Grand Rapids, Dr E H King of Lakeview, Bert King, who has resided at there old home. He also laves 3 sisters & 1 brother, also many fiends who will miss her. Services were held at the home Sun. 10 a.m. Rev Merrifield preached, a Quartette from Millburg burnished the music. Many beautiful flowers testified of the love & esteem in which she was held. Interment was at Crystal springs.
Ref: News Palladium Newspaper, Benton Harbor. - - -

Birth:
ALT Loc: Trafalgar Twp., Halton Co., Ontario.

Died: