Mrs. Jane Conklin Born: 1851
Died: 1935, age 84
Married: John J. Conklin
Children: James Conklin of Orlando, Florida.; Julia Conklin (born April 1, 1881, died June 30, 1949), and Jean H. Conklin
Jane E. Hoag Conklin bought 2 Church Street and 108 Main Street in 1900 and in time became a successful early cure cottage proprietor at 108 Main Street.
A frequent pattern in the early days was for a family to come to Saranac Lake for the health of their husband and father. If his cure was unsuccessful, his widow might support her family by making use of their home and the skills she had developed to care for other TB patients. One of those who set this pattern for cure cottage operators was Jane Hoag Conklin, a Scotswoman who came to Saranac Lake in 1890 with her husband, John J. Conklin, who later died. With three children to raise, Mrs. Conklin maintained the Conklin cottage at 108 Main St. (now No. 121), which became "one of the best known and oldest establishments of its sort in the village." Her daughter Julia — the only girl in the class of 1901 — graduated from Saranac Lake High School just across Main Street, but stayed at home to help her mother run the cottage. Jean was more adventurous; she graduated in 1905, and went on to teach junior high school in New York City. Neither daughter married, and both are buried in Pine Ridge Cemetery with their mother, who died in 1935.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, undated clipping, courtesy of the Adirondack Research Room, Saranac lake Free Library.
MRS. CONKLIN DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Mrs. Jane Conklin, aged 84, died at her home, 108 Main street this morning, after an illness of several months, during most of which time she was confined to her home. Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed, pending the arrival of a daughter from New York.
The deceased, whose maiden name was Jane Hoag, was born in Dunce, Scotland, and came to this country when she was seven years of age. Her early home was near Rochester, in this state. Forty-five years ago she came to Saranac Lake with her husband, the late John J. Conklin, who was in ill health. They then made their home here. Mr. Conklin died shortly after they came here to live, and Mrs. Conklin had since resided here.
Mrs. Conklin had always been closely identified with the life of the community in so far as the work of caring for the health seekers was concerned. She maintained a cottage for the care of those who came here in ill health, and the Conklin cottage was one of the best known and oldest establishments of its sort in the village.
She was a member of the Presbyterian church of this place and for years had been an active worker in the church.
The surviving relatives are one son, James Conklin of Orlando, Fla. and two daughters, Miss Julia Conklin of Saranac Lake and Miss Jean Conklin, a teacher in the public schools of New York City. There are also three nephews, Fred C. Conrad of Saranac Lake and Milo and George Estes of Rochester.
