My Genealogy Hound

JOHN M. YERKES. Many valuable farms may be found in Seneca County, and among them is that of J. M. Yerkes, which is situated in the town of Romulus, and contains all the improvements of a modern first-class estate. It comprises one hundred and fifty-six acres, subdivided by good fencing into fields and pastures of convenient size, while the residence and out-buildings are substantial, well equipped and conveniently arranged. In addition to the cultivation of this place, Mr. Yerkes has for many years been engaged in the manufacture of tile and brick, and has also been in charge of a feedmill. In the town of Romulus, where he still resides, the subject of this article was born December 6, 1827, his birthplace being one and one-half miles southeast of the village of Romulus. His father, Josiah, was a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and married for his first wife Mrs. Margaret (McKnight) Blaine, the widow of Thomas Blaine, and a native of Northumberland County, Pa. Of that union the following children were born: John M.; Eliza A., wife of Thomas Mann; Jessie and Margaret. The last marriage of Mr. Yerkes was to Rhoda Church, and they had one child, a son, Schuyler B., now living at the old homestead in the town of Romulus.

On removing from Pennsylvania to New York, Josiah Yerkes settled in Seneca County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, becoming the owner of about four hundred acres of arable land. His energy, perseverance, and the large measure of success which crowned his efforts brought him into prominence among his fellow-citizens, by whom he was conceded to be a model farmer and an honest man. In political views he adhered to the Democracy, and was one of the local leaders of his party. He died about 1870, and was buried in the Romulus Cemetery.

If a life passed in the quiet and honest discharge of duties, unvaried by any thrilling episodes, may be called uneventful, then Mr. Yerkes has had an uneventful career. His boyhood days were passed near where he now resides, and he was given as good an education as the common schools of the neighborhood afforded. Having been a reader of the newspapers and current magazines, he has added largely to the stock of knowledge acquired in the schoolroom, and is a well informed man on all topics of interest and general importance. He was a youth of about eighteen when he started out in the world for himself, and since then he has been independent, carving out his own career, and achieving as a farmer a success of which he may well be proud. When he moved to his present farm, it consisted of one hundred and sixteen acres, but from time to time he has made additional purchases, until it now comprises one hundred and fifty-six acres. In 1865 he added to his farm work the manufacture of drain tile and brick, of which industry he made a success.

By his marriage to Miss Lucy Church, which took place in 1852, Mr. Yerkes has five children, namely: Josiah, who is the present Supervisor of the town of Romulus; Barnum, who is a farmer of this town; Clermont; John M., Jr., who has the management of the home place; and Jesse, who resides on a farm in this county. Politically Mr. Yerkes is a Democrat, and his opinions are of no uncertain tone, but frankly expressed and firmly upheld at the ballot-box. Upon the ticket of his party he was elected Supervisor of the town, in which capacity he served for two terms of one year each, the first being in 1878, and the second in 1887. In 1872 he was chosen Justice of the Peace, and that position he filled for fifteen years.