YANCEY, Mrs. Nancy A. HALE

YANCEY, POINDEXTER, HALE, FULLER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 6/15/2006 at 20:57:18

"Fairfield Ledger", Jan. 14, 1903, Pg. 6, Col. 4

A REMARKABLE WOMAN. Mrs. Nancy A. YANCEY, at one time one of the best known women in Fairfield, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. W. J. POINDEXTER, in Milwaukee, Wis., the 7th inst.. Mrs. YANCEY was a remarkable woman in many particulars. Her maiden name was HALE and she was born a slave in Wheeling, W.Va., Feb. 12th, 1831. She was taken to Ohio at an early age, given her freedom, and reared in Miami County. With a burning desire for knowledge, she became a student at Oberlin University, then the only collegiate institution in the United States which did not discriminate against people of her race, and received an education there which fitted her for almost any position in life.

May 2d, 1849, she was married to James H. YANCEY. They came to Fairfield in 1857, and were the first colored family to locate here permanently. They reared a large family of children, and six daughters survive their parents. The father died about twenty-five years ago. Their home in this city was ever open to the people of their race, and in the days of slavery many a fugitive from bondage was taken in and cared for by these good people and given an opportunity to accomplish his freedom.

In later years the care and rearing of a large family fell upon the mother, and she was fully equal to the task. She had spent considerable time as a teacher, a work for which she was especially fitted, but she sought a more lucrative employment and one which would keep her with her family. She established a laundry in this city, employed several persons, and managed the business so successfully that when she retired it was with sufficient funds to support her in her declining years. A gentleman of this city who had known Mrs. YANCEY all his life, says of her: "Mrs. YANCEY was an educated and cultivated christian woman of far more than common ability and of the highest character. Her life was a complete and perfect example, so far as humanity is perfect, of the unselfish and absolute devotion of great abilities to the simple, homely duties of everyday life. She accepted her life among the lowly without a murmur, and brought to the humble little home the sunshine of cultivated christian graces. The weight of her influence, conversation and example upon all who came within her circle has been felt and recognized by those who know the history of our city. All who met her were benefitted. Limited in means to the product of her own exertions, she was charitable beyond some who have given an honest, painstaking service, as well as what money she could spare. Her children received all the advantages of education she could secure for them, and what success and standing they have obtained they may attribute largely to her, while many others, not all of her own race, are under unspeakable obligations for her noble christian life and charity."

Mrs. YANCEY's remains were interred in this city Friday. Funeral services were held at the home of her son-in-law, B. J. FULLER, and were conducted by Rev. H. O. Spelman. Mr. and Mrs. FULLER, on behalf of the family of Mrs. YANCEY, desire to return their thanks to the friends who rendered them so many kindnesses in the hours of death.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.