Ann Conklin Erickson along with her granddaughter, Samantha Eckerson and great granddaughter Annabelle Hedwall visited the Mazeppa Historical Society museum on July 16th.
Ann’s always has installed with her family the importance of “WHERE YOU COME FROM! Ann’s great-great grandfather was Joseph Ford who was the founder of Mazeppa in 1855!
Joseph Ford & Olive Lindsey had a daughter, Adelia Minerva Ford who married Lewis Mathews, who had a daughter, Adelia Eliza Mathews who married Ira Peter Conklin, who had a son Harry Max Conklin who married Helen B. Matthews, whose daughter was Ann Marie Conklin who married Dennis “Sam” Erickson.
Ann married Dennis “Sam” Erickson in 1950 and in 1951 moved to Arizona. Receiving her BS in Education at Arizona State University, she taught elementary school for 10 years. Sam received his BS in Education and MS in accounting. Sam then became a professor tax accounting back in Minnesota at Mankato State University from 1967-1992.
Ann took on the job of working for the state of Minnesota department “Right to Read Program’ and made regular trips to the Mazeppa School in 1972, 1973 and 1974. On her many trips she became friends with Bonnie Siems, editor of the Mazeppa Journal. “Bonnie was very gracious and took her all over Mazeppa, visiting Ford homes. “Bonnie was a walking encyclopedia on the history of Mazeppa!”
Sam joined the Mankato Masonic Lodge and became Potentate of Osman Shrine Temple in 1981 and it was with his involvement that they met Allen and Anne (Gregoire) Koenig.
Ann’s favorite question to so many people is “Where are you from?”
Most of the time she is very persistent about her question and that is how she met Helen Reiland in 2014 at Reiland’s Hair Clinic. Ann was introduced to Helen saying she comes to Rochester from New Jersey to get her hair cut! Helen kept stalling by saying; she was from a small town north of Rochester! Well Ann, being persistent, finally got her to say “Mazeppa”! Well, my great-great grandfather was Joseph Ford! Well, the friendship began.
Ann and Sam did extensive research on their family backgrounds around the world. She expresses that the research department at the Mazeppa Historical Museum is as she ranks them #1! It is your history that is a part of you! Mazeppa should be proud of their museum!
Ann’s dad Harry Conklin, started experimenting with additives to improve petroleum oils and fuels. He would do this in his basement and would experiment on his daughter, Ann Conklin Erickson. Harry would grease up Ann’s hands and then experiment with trying to get her hands clean.
Harry Conklin incorporated his business and founded Conklin Company Inc. in 1954 and manufactured his products in his garage until 1969.
Locals Keith and Janice Jones, the late Dave Jones, Wayne Zimmerman and Gerald Tomfohrde sold Conklin products for years.
Ann currently lives in Tinton, New Jersey near another daughter but loves coming to Minnesota to visit her daughter Nancy, granddaughter Samantha & great granddaughter Annabelle.
ALWAYS ON HER BUCKET LIST IS TO VISIT THE MAZEPPA MUSEUM. MAZEPPA IS HER ROOTS AND LOVE!
