James Conklin (June 12, 1831 – February 27, 1899) was an Irish American coal merchant, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer.
[3] Shortly after arriving, James Conklin, then 18, was hired to carry mail between Madison and Prairie du Sac and Monroe, Wisconsin.
By 1854, he had saved enough money to start a small merchandise business, buying wheat and selling coal.
With strong support from Madison, Conklin narrowly defeated former three-term state senator George B.
His obituary in Madison's Wisconsin State Journal opined that he could have served forever as mayor if he desired it.
[3] After leaving office, Conklin also became a director of the Bank of Wisconsin, and was appointed postmaster in Madison during Grover Cleveland's second term (1893–1897).
[3] Conklin's sons and grandsons continued the family coal business for another 46 years after his death.