Conklin, Louie Marian, 1872-1909.

Louie Marian Church Conklin (1872-1909) was a teacher for the blind who was active in church, education, and civic affairs in Grants Pass, Oregon during the early years of the 20th century. The child of missionary teachers, Louies was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, but her family later moved to Greenville, Michigan. After graduating from Oberlin College, she became a teacher in the state school for the blind in Lansing, Michigan, of which her father was superintendent. Louie moved to Oregon and took a position in the school for the blind in Salem. In 1904, she married Arthur Conklin, a widower and real estate agent from Grants Pass, Oregon. She helped to raise her husband's two children from his previous marriage and the three children she had with Conklin before her untimely death after an illness in 1909.

From the description of Louie Marian Conklin photograph albums, circa 1897-1909 [graphic]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 318215985

Mrs. Louie Marian Church Conklin was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 10, 1872, where Mr. and Mrs. Church were missionary teachers. The family later moved to Greenville, Michigan. After graduating from Oberlin College in Ohio, Louie became a teacher in the state school for the blind in Lansing, Michigan, where her father was superintendent. Later she moved to Oregon and took a position in the school for the blind in Salem, where she remained for three years. She married Arthur Conklin, a widower and real estate agent from Grants Pass, Oregon, on November 10, 1904. She became a mother to her husband’s two children from his previous marriage and also had three children with Mr. Conklin. She was active in church, education, and civic affairs.

In early 1909, Mrs. Conklin became ill with a cold and subsequently suffered a stroke on March 9, that rendered her partially paralyzed. She passed away at her home in Grants Pass on March 26, 1909, at the age of 37. Funeral services were held at the Baptist church, where she was a member. She was survived by her husband, children, her mother Mrs. Frances A. L. Church, and two brothers.

From the guide to the Louie Marian Conklin Photograph Albums, circa 1897-1909, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)