Theodore Conkey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Theodore Conkey
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| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 1st district |
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| In office January 8, 1851 – January 12, 1853 |
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| Preceded by | Lemuel Goodell |
| Succeeded by | Horatio N. Smith |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Outagamie district |
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| In office January 14, 1857 – January 13, 1858 |
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| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Perry H. Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 11, 1819 Canton, New York |
| Died | March 17, 1880 (aged 60) Appleton, Wisconsin |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery Appleton, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democratic |
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| Profession | surveyor, businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Rank |  Lt. Colonel, USV |
| Unit | 3rd Wis. Vol. Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Theodore Conkey (born December 11, 1819 – died March 17, 1880) was an important person in Wisconsin's early history. He was a brave officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War and a successful businessman. He also served as a politician in both the Wisconsin State Senate and the Wisconsin State Assembly.
The Life of Theodore Conkey
Theodore Conkey was born in Canton, New York. His father, Asa Conkey, was a farmer who had served in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. In 1841, Theodore left his family farm. He first moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, which was part of the Wisconsin Territory at the time. He then lived in Madison, Wisconsin for a year, where he worked as a teacher.
After teaching, Conkey returned to Fond du Lac and started a new career. He became a land surveyor, which meant he measured and mapped land for the U.S. government in Wisconsin. He learned from Albert Gallatin Ellis, a very experienced surveyor. Together, they mapped large areas of northern Wisconsin.
Conkey noticed that the Grand Chute rapids on the Fox River would be perfect for water-powered mills. In 1849, he teamed up with Morgan Lewis Martin and Abraham B. Bowen. They chose a piece of land on the north side of the Fox River to start a new village. Conkey measured and planned the layout for the future city. In July 1849, he moved his family there, becoming one of the first settlers of Appleton, Wisconsin. He built a saw mill and worked on other construction projects in the area. He also invested in improving the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers with Morgan Lewis Martin.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Conkey decided to help. He sold his mill and started gathering a group of men to join the Union Army. His volunteers became Company I in the 3rd Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. Conkey was made the Captain of this company.
His regiment was part of the Army of the Frontier. They spent almost the entire war serving in Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. A few months after the war ended, Conkey left the army as a lieutenant colonel.
After the War
In November 1865, Conkey returned to Wisconsin. He went back into the milling business, working with Charles Pfennig. After Pfennig passed away, Conkey bought out the other investors in the mill. He spent time making the mill bigger and better. He continued to run it until 1879, when he sold it to Kimberly, Clark & Co.. After this sale, Conkey mostly retired from business.
Theodore Conkey was a member of the Episcopal Church. He married Cynthia F. Foote in June 1848. They had four children together, and three of them lived to be adults.
Political Life
Theodore Conkey was also active in politics. He served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate from 1851 to 1852. One of his most important actions as a senator was helping to create a new county called "Outagamie" in 1851. This new county was formed from the western part of Brown County.
Later, in 1857, Conkey represented Outagamie County in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He also served on the Appleton City Council, which helps run the city, and on the Outagamie County Board, which helps manage the county. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
