My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM YEARSLEY, blacksmith, Higginsport, senior member of the firm of Yearsley & Pinckard, and is a son of Samuel Yearsley, who was born in Delaware in 1804; he obtained a limited education in his native State, and at the age of fifteen entered upon the trade of “edge-tool maker,” under the instruction of an old Quaker. He served an apprenticeship of five years, and having completed his trade when about twenty years of age, he began business for himself. About 1828, he married Amy Lawrence, a native of Delaware, born in 1812, and died in Higginsport, Ohio, in 1852. Samuel, wife and family of three children, came to Ohio in 1836, locating first in Cincinnati, where he labored in James Todd’s machine shop. In 1838, at the solicitations of his friend, Henry Pierce, he came to Brown County and set up his forge under a beech tree in Pleasant Township, on the “McMichael farm.” There he soon erected a log shop, and one year later moved to Higginsport, where he, of course, met opposition, but through his mechanical skill he soon found favor with the public, and obtained a good patronage. A contest was had between him and his opponent, in making a corner chisel, which resulted decidedly in Yearsley’s favor. He was not a practical, general blacksmith, but soon “took it up,” and did good work. He was an honest and trusty mechanic, and died a worthy citizen, in September, 1860. He had been twice married, the second time to Mrs. Rebecca (Morrison) Woodworth, who still survives. His last marriage resulted in two sons, and the first in nine children, of whom six are now living. Our subject, William, is the fifth, and was born, October 9, 1840, in Higginsport, Ohio, where he has always resided, save during Centennial year, which he spent in Kentucky, in the sale of musical instruments, and music teaching. His education was acquired in the schools of his native village until the age of fifteen, when he commenced taking instructions, under his father, in blacksmithing. Since 1860, he has been almost continuously engaged in business for himself, mostly as a partner, and is now a member of the leading firm of the place. His military career consisted of one year in Company K, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. J. T. McCormack. He was married in 1862, to Miss M. J. Walters, by whom he has had three children, viz.: Charles E., Joseph W. and Neva.