James T. B. YARYAN, county treasurer of Jasper county, Missouri, was born in Wapello county, Iowa, January 29, 1848, a son of Jacob and Sarah (BEDELL) YARYAN. His ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were Pennsylvania Dutch, and his father and mother were natives respectively of Indiana and Ohio; both are deceased. Jacob YARYAN was one of the pioneer farmers of Wapello county, Iowa, he having settled there about 1840. In his family were six sons and one daughter, James being the fourth in order of birth.

James T. B. YARYAN was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the country schools near by. After he reached his majority he engaged in farming in Ringgold county, Iowa, and carried on agricultural pursuits there from 1865 until 1870, when he came to Missouri and settled on a farm in Galena township, Jasper county. He has since that time made his home in this county, dividing his time between farming and mining until 1907, when he was elected to the office of county treasurer. In November, 1910, he was elected to succeed himself, and is now the incumbent of this office.

During the Civil war Mr. YARYAN was a member of Company E, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry, and was in the service nineteen months, during which time he participated in numerous engagements, including the battle of Vicksburg and the march with SHERMAN to the sea. His honorable discharge is dated August 22, 1865, and he is a worthy member of the G. A. R.

Politically Mr. YARYAN has always been a Republican and has taken an enthusiastic interest in party affairs. His election to the office he now holds is fitting recognition of his standing as a party worker and representative citizen.

Mr. YARYAN married, October 30, 1875, Miss Ella F. HOLT, a native of Iowa and a daughter of George HOLT, of that state. This union was blessed in the birth of five children: Burchard H., George, Nellie, Ray T. and Ross, all born in Jasper county. Mrs. YARYAN died January 11, 1911. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as also is Mr. YARYAN.

SOURCE: LIVINGSTON, Joel Thomas. A History of Jasper County, Missouri, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 678-90. Lewis Publ. Co. Chicago. 1912.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2009