YOCKEY, DANIEL

YOCKEY, HAY, NICUM, FISHLINE, KILGORE, HOSKIN, WATERMAN, MARTIN, MESSENER

Posted By: Norma Jennings (email)
Date: 10/25/2011 at 00:31:46

DANIEL YOCKEY, lumber dealer, at Brighton, has been a resident of Washington County since 1842. He is a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., born april 10, 1818, and is the son of George and Susan (Hay) Yockey, the former of Swiss, and the latter of German descent. In the winter of 1831-32 the family went to Stark, now Carroll County, Ohio, where the father followed his occupation as carpenter. They were highly respected people, honest in all their dealings, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all. The mother was a member of the Lutheran Church, and was a sincere Christian woman. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living: Daniel, of this sketch; Henry, of Glenwood, Iowa; Susan, the widow of J. Nicum, who now resides in Wayne County, Iowa; Christian, ressiding in Carroll County, Ohio; Mary, the wife of Christopher Fishline, of New Lisbon, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch received a very limited education in the log school-house, and well remembers the old building with its floor partially covered with puncheons, and slab seats. In 1832 he went with his parents to Stark county, Ohio, where he remained until 1837. He then returned to Pennsylvania and there remained until the fall of 1839, when he went to Fairfield, Wayne Co., Ill., and staid [stayed] there until Feb. 23, 1841, when he started for Iowa City, Iowa, going by way of Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Ill., at that time the headquarters of the Mormons, and at a time when there was considerable trouble between the Mormons and the Gentiles. He remained in Nauvoo one week, stopping with Sidney Rigdon, who was without doubt the brains of Mormonism. He had formerly been a Baptist preacher, was well read, and a man of great oratorical ability. Leaving Nauvoo, Mr. Yockey crossed the river at Ft. Madison,a nd then went on foot to Iowa City, where he obtained employment at his trade of carpentering. In 1842 he went to Washington, Iowa, where he engaged in building and contracting. He there assisted in the erection of the second court-house, and other public buildings.

In 1844, our subject went bakc to Ohio, where he married Jane B. Kilgore, in Tuscarawas County. She was born in Belmont County, of that State. He then returned to Washington, accompanied by his bride, and has ever since been a resident of the county. They are the parents of six living children: Grezilda, wife of J.G. Hoskin; John K., of Washington; Jeanette, the wife of N. S. Waterman, of Spink county, Dalk.; Susan N., Martin M., Maggie B., of Brighton. In 1871 Mr. Yockey came to Brighton, where he superintended a lumber-yard for John Messener, and in 1874 embarked in business for himself, and is still engaged in the same.

Mr. and Mrs. Yockey are members of the United Presbyterian Church, of Brighton. His first vote for President was cast for Gen. Harrison, but in faith he was a strong anti-slavery man, and for
several years afterward did not vote, but cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln for President in 1860. He is thankful that he has lived to see the day when slavery is abolished in the country. While not having acquired the wealth of some persons, Mr. Yockey has, nevertheless, been successful in life, and is now classed among the well-to-do business men of Brighton and Washington County.

Portrait and Biographical Album, Washington County, Iowa pp.175-176