Charles Nash Conkey

Canton Commercial Advertiser , May 2, 1905

CHARLES NASH CONKEY

Died - At Canton, NY, Thursday April 27th, 1905; Charles Nash Conkey in his 81st year.

Peacefully, at the old homestead, where he had lived from infancy, at the close of a quiet April day, surrounded by loved ones, Charles Nash Conkey passed over the silent river and to those realms whence traveler ne'er returned. It was the close of a long and useful life, where sterling worth, largeness of heart, a charitable disposition, scholarly attainments, deep religious convictions and belief in Deity and withal a belief in his fellow man combined to make that type of man at this day too few.

Born, May 29th, 1824, on the Potsdam road east of this village on what is known as the O.D. Baker farm. When about two years old his father, Asa Conkey, moved his family to the farm west of this village - the old homestead - where the deceased spent practically his entire life. March 16th, 1828 he was baptized in the little school house that stood near where ran the whilom little brook 'cross Hodskin Street, a few feet from where now stands the Advertiser office.

He obtained his early rudiments of education in the little local school and later attended Cazenovia seminary where his brother Hamilton was an instructor. He had reached his 25th year when the gold fever struck the country at the discovery of gold in California and in '49 or '50 went "Round the Horn," to seek his fortune in the far West. He spent some time in the gold diggings and on his return came over the Isthmus. No man could tell more vividly of the experiences of the hold hunter in these exciting days and he would talk for hours and far into the night from his seemingly inexhaustible supply of what happened at the coast in the early '50's.

He was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type and all his life took a keen interest in the fortunes of his party. So popular was he among all classes and in both parties that in the early '70's he succeeded in defeating the regular nominee of the Republican party of the town for the office of supervisor and none other than the late Horace W. Hale, father of the present county judge, who was seeking a re-election. He made a splendid official and secured from a hostile board recognition that was valuable to his town.

A few years later in the '80's he was again nominated for the office of supervisor of the town against the regular Republican nominee - a man who just prior to this served in the legislature - and he was again successful, and at his death bears the unique distinction as being the only Democrat who has served the town of Canton on the Board of Supervisors since the "Exodus" prior to the Civil War, and not only that, was elected twice with a considerable interim of time intervening. He was secretary of St. Lawrence County Agricultural Society for years and always took a deep interest in that organization.

He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Susan Page, daughter of Elias C. Page, at one time a prominent merchant and manufacturer of the village. To this union were born four children, Charles H., Anna, Clinton P. and Corrie S., the latter being twins, and were infants when their mother was killed in an unfortunate accident near the railway crossing west of the village. Charles H. and Clinton P. are now successfully located in business in Oregon, Corrie S. has remained with her father to comfort his declining years, while years ago Anna was called to God in glory.

Some years later he was joined in wedlock with Miss Miranda Marks, daughter of Isaac Marks, who still survives, tho well along in his nineties. She was a woman of fare attainments, had been educated in the best schools of the state and Canada, had held the position of preceptress of the old Franklin Academy and prior to her marriage was preceptress of the State Normal School at Potsdam, which was at the time in charge of Dr. MacVickar. The fruits of this union were a son and daughter, Harry M. and Mary Vilura, both now graduates of St. Lawrence University, the former being a trusted employee in The Chase National Bank, New York City, while the latter has been at her home during the illness of her father. The mother died some six years ago.

The deceased was a member of The First Presbyterian Church, of this village, having joined by profession of faith December 3d, 1848. He was elected to the office of elder in 1871 and continued in that capacity till the time of his death.

The funeral took place from The First Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon, Dr. Stubblebine, the pastor, preaching the sermon and paying a very high tribute to the deceased. Interment took place at Evergreen.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 17 2024, 7:10:45 UTC