Knox County, Illinois Genealogy & History

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From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 198.  [Contributed by Pat Thomas.]

William A. Yates, an old and respected citizen of Ontario Township, is a bright and pleasing example of a successful farmer.  His home is located on section 22.  He is the son of John Yates, a farmer, and a native of the State of Virginia.  He was of Irish descent and his marriage with Nancy Shields, who was of the same ancestry, took place in that State, and they began life in Berkly County, in which their son, William A., was born March 12, 1814.  He was about eight years of age when his parents came to Delaware, Ohio, where they passed the remaining years of life.  Mr. Yates was the oldest son of a family of eight children.  He remained under the family roof up until the time of his marriage with Mary Finley, Nov. 9, 1848.  She died at her home in Ontario Township, June 16, 1859.  She was born on a farm in Delaware County, Ohio.  Her parents were native Virginians.  She was the mother of five children, as follows: Emily, deceased; John, Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret.  The latter is deceased.

Mr. Yates, on first coming to this State, remained but a few months and then returned to Ohio.  Coming West the second time, he settled in Knox County, and went back to bring his wife to his new home.  He purchased land in Ontario Township, consisting of 160 acres.  He afterward purchased 20 acres in Sparta Township, and 16 in Henderson Township.  In 1855, he purchased the farm which is his present home.  He now has 160 acres of land in a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Yates married Miss Marcia Gaston for his second wife, in Delaware County, Ohio.  She was born in Delaware County, Ohio, June 14, 1830, and in that section was reared and educated.  Her parents lived on a farm, and her father, James Gaston, was of Scotch origin, and her mother, Lois (Jones) Gaston, a native of the State of New Hampshire.  They established a home in Delaware County, where they lived out their remaining years.  The grandfather of Mrs. Yates, on her mother's side, was Solomon Jones, a noble old warrior and an officer in the Revolutionary War.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Yates, of this notice, has been blessed with two children: Nancy C., who lives with her parents; and Electa, a most successful and popular teacher.  They are both Presbyterians in belief.  Mr. Yates has held many of the minor offices, and is one of the most enterprising citizens of the township.  He is a solid Republican and takes a lively interest in politics and affairs of State.

From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 250 and 255

Robert Young is a farmer whose home is situated on section 30, Persifer Township, and whose name and history are identified with the pioneers of this section, as he came here in 1844, from Warren County, Ohio, and passed that winter in Knoxville. In the spring of 1845 he came to this township and settled on section 30, thus laying the foundation for his present prosperous and desirable home. With him to attempt was to succeed, and though his beginning was comparatively humble, being endowed with a large degree of energy and pertinacity of purpose he has gained beyond his highest expectations, the largest degree of success. This may be awarded that mead of prosperity which is the reward of industry and perseverance.
Mr. Young was born in Warren County, Ohio, 10 March 1821, and moderate advantages were granted him in an educational way, he attended the common school receiving a fair degree of mental cultivation. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth Young, the former, a native of Germany, and the latter an American, and a native of Philadelphia. Most of their lives were passed in Warren County, Ohio, where the father died in 1853. After a short period, succeeding his death, the mother came to Knox County to live with her children, but was spared to them only a brief time, dying in Abingdon, in 1859.
Mr. Young, of this writing, has engaged actively in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. His landed possessions are extensive and desirable, including 380 acres of land, 260 of which are tillable. His "Barns are filled with plenty" and his land is beneficiently productive. He lived in his native county until the year 1844, at which time he came to Knox County. He was united in marriage with Mary F. Johnston, who was born in that county on 5 June 1826. She was the daughter of Edward C. and Hannah (Rusling) Johnston. They came to Knox County in the fall of 1844, and settled in Knoxville, in which city they departed this life, the father dying in 1851 and the mother in 1882.
The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Young has been enlarged by the admission of seven children, but three childish faces have been taken away. The four children who survive are Edward J., Hannah E., John R., and Robert L., and those gone before are Clarisa, Jeanette and Ella. A summary of the principal events of the living are given: Edward J. is a farmer, residing in Knox County, Hannah is the wife of E.M. Collins, whose home is in Persifer Township. John R. follows agricultural pursuits in Persifer Township and is extremely successful in his chosen field of labor. Robert L. still remains under the parental roof.
Mr. Young has held many of the minor offices in his township and is treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Company. Both himself and his worthy wife are respected and esteemed throughout the community, and aid by their presence and support, all noble and good enterprises calculated to forward and advance the interests of their fellow men. They are members of the Methodist Church, in which organization they are prominent factor. Politically he is a Republican.

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