My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH B. YEAKEL. Beginning in active business life with little to call his own, save habits of industry, energy and perseverance, Mr. Yeakel has conquered adverse circumstances and gained a good place among the residents of Whitehall Township, where he has a good farm, which is devoted to dairy purposes. He is a native of Berks County, this state, having been born September 7, 1846, to Benjamin and Elizabeth (Brenner) Yeakel.

The father of our subject was also born in the above county, while the mother was a native of Philadelphia. In 1855 our subject was brought by his parents to this county, and for many years they made their home in the city of Allentown, where the father was engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, such as reapers, mowers, threshing machines, etc. As a business man he was successful, always maintaining the confidence of his fellow-citizens. He carried on business for himself in Allentown for seventeen years, during which time, in addition to the enterprise already spoken of, he was interested in Barber’s Foundry, and likewise owned shares in the rolling-mill. He departed this life January 12, 1871, and his good wife followed him to the better land four years later. They were greatly missed in the community in which they lived, and, being universally loved, were widely mourned.

Of the family of children born to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Yeakel, five survive, namely: Solomon B.; Lydia, now Mrs. Lewis Kuntz; Susan, the wife of Henry Keck; Joseph B.; and Simon. The father was a Republican in politics and was a public-spirited and enterprising citizen. He was a self-made man in every sense of the term, and what he has accumulated was the result of great industry and perseverance on his part. He is said to have manufactured the first reaper which was used to cut grain in this section of the country, and as a business man he occupied a prominent position.

Joseph B., of this sketch, was reared to man’s estate in Lehigh County. Until reaching his twenty-fifth year he worked for his father in his shops, and thus became well posted in the manufacture of farm implements. He moved upon his present place in the spring of 1871, and since that time has given his attention to agricultural pursuits, making a specialty during the last few years of the dairy business. He has upon his place some fine breeds of animals, among which is a herd of eighteen head of cattle called the Dutch Belted. He has a milk route in Allentown, and in this branch of business he is meeting with fair success. His farm comprises sixty acres of land, which is improved by every convenience that can aid a farmer.

Mr. Yeakel is a Republican in politics, and religiously is a member of the Evangelical Church in Allentown. He takes an active interest in all measures calculated to advance the welfare of the people and is numbered among the public-spirited citizens of the community.