William Brown Yeagley - Civil War Soldier Buried in Farmer Cemetery

William Yeagley once described himself as a "capitalist," and he surely was.  He bought and sold land, ran a farm, worked as a surveyor and invested in a canning factory.  William was a Pennsylvania man, born on November 15, 1833, to Andrew and Catharine (Dougherty) Yeagley.  



When he was 21, he married Margaret Hendershot, but after settling the family in Dekalb County, Indiana, and starting a family, he enlisted in the Indiana Volunteer Infantry - Company H, 88th Regiment.  He was twenty eight years old and had three children (and possibly one on the way) at the time of his enlistment on August 12, 1862.  Organized at Newville, Indiana, the 88th met together in Fort Wayne before marching together to Louisville.  They pursued Bragg through Kentucky and Tennessee, losing fifty-six men at the Battle of Stones River.  They were involved in the horrendous battle at Chickamauga, climbed Lookout Mountain with Hooker by November 24th, and then fought at Missionary Ridge on the next day.  They were heavily involved in the fighting on Sherman's march to the sea.  Later, William would name his son, born in 1863, Sherman, in honor of the general he admired.  

By 1870, William and Margaret had settled in Center Township, Williams County, where he farmed.  Their children, at that time, were Blanche, 14; Park, 13; Lottie, 8; and Sherman, 7.  The first two children were born in Ohio and the second two in Indiana.  

Washington Township, Defiance County, was the family's home in 1880.  Little Madge, who was 5 then, was now in the family.  Park and Sherman helped their father on the farm.  In 1886, William purchased 80 acres in Farmer Township from Allen Barrows, and at some point the family moved there.  William not only farmed, but he was a businessman, too, investing in and serving on the board of the Farmer Canning Company.

Defiance Weekly Express, August 10, 1899

In the 1900 census, William, then 66, gave "capitalist" as his occupation, as did his sister, Catharine J. Britton, a widow, who lived with him.  Margarette, 62, also had Madge, 25, single, at home, and Ella B. Tharp, 22, a granddaughter.  Madge worked as a saleslady in a grocery store and Ella was a dressmaker.  It was noted that Ella was married less than a year, but her husband's whereabouts...and name...are unknown.

About 1901, Madge married Vernon E. Cunningham, a house painter, and the couple lived with her parents.  William was then 76 and Margaret, 72, in Farmer Township.  

William died on February 19, 1915.  His obituary appeared in the Crescent-News on March 5, 1915:

Daniel D Diehl, comrade of William Yeagley in Company H

Margaret Hendershot Yeagley lived on another ten years, passing away in February, 1925.  Her obituary appeared in the Crescent News on February 7, 1925:

Farmer Cemetery

  

Meet the Lawyers of Defiance County - 1894

From the Defiance Democrat - November 22, 1894

"LAWYER'S FADS

Some Peculiarities Noticeable in the Legal Gentlemen.

 Judge Sutphen wears his beard trimmed in a faultless manner and is always crowned by a soft hat.  When not engaged in his law office, he can be found putting in some spare moments looking after the grounds which surround his Jefferson street residence.

Hon. Henry Hardy is a student who applies himself to reading.  He delights to draw on his fund of reminiscences of Defiance and knows much of its early history.

B. B. Kingsbury is something of a searcher after more light on the subject of spiritualism and is perhaps one of the most persistant readers among the attorneys of this city, and has an extensive library stocked with scientific works.

Henry Newbegin is a born fighter and is in his element when engaged in a case that is stubbornly contested.  He loves to sit in the court room and listen to an argument by a brother attorney.

John W. Slough likes a bit of an argument himself and is one of President Cleveland's most ardent admirers.

W. H. Hubbard, aside from being a good lawyer, is one of the most entertaining story tellers among the members of the bar.  He is in his element when making a political speech.  His silk hat always looks immaculate.

 

W. H. Hubbard

Henry Hockman has a 'hankering' after educational matters and was formerly considered one of the successful teachers in the county.

Hon. John W. Winn is something of a horse fancier and dabbles in equines some.  John is an expert wheelman and is at home in politics.  He is also a zealous member of the Knights of Pythias and holds an exalted position in the grand lodge.

John W. Winn

B. F. Enos has the largest collection of pipes of any attorney in the city and things theatrical interest him.  Mr. Enos is in his element when engaged in criminal practice.  His forte is in examining witnesses.

N. G. Johnston is perhaps the only exponent of Blackstone at this bar who combines agriculture with law, and he does it with success.

J. P. Cameron is one of the unmarried lawyers and perhaps his fad is in not becoming a head of a family.  Mr. Cameron has a farm or two and helps make hay when the demand for laborers exceeds the supply.

Mr. Harris affects soft hats and cape overcoats.  He is wrapped up in his business and has a memory he can rely on.  He fights every inch of the ground in a law suit.

Judge Baker's fad is loans.  He is one of the staunchest Democrats in Ohio, and makes a brilliant political speech.  H. G. has travelled extensively and is an entertaining conversationalist.

K. V. Haymaker will arise in the night to tell you a story and when he has told it to you, you'll laugh.  K. V. excels as a wag and always has something new in his line.  He is now interested in the loan association which does not afford him much opportunity to practice law.

L. B. Peaslee is a college bred man and can impart much valuable information on almost any subject.  He is familiar with history, smokes a pipe and is somewhat of a Bohemian.

Solicitor Latty is one of the youngest members of the bar.  He dreams of ordinances, Guss Wagner, Dey Ayers and Jess Shulz.

Squire Orcutt attends to his justice business, marrys couples and enjoys life about as well as any of his colleagues.  He is a bachelor.

Prosecutor Woods is still enjoying single blessedness along with his law practice.  Jim has a good supply of the substantials of this life and has served the country faithfully.

Of all the attorneys in this city, Wm. Carter has the finest collection of whiskers, which make him look decidedly distinguished.  Mr. Carter's fad was the Centennial and he did splendidly as secretary.  He represents several large firms in this city and has a penchant for literary work.

Judge Hay is an orator.  His fad is politics and looking after fences.  He is an enthusiastic wheelman and is always well dressed.

Justice Ansberry is the youngest member of the bar and perhaps one of the youngest justices of the peace in the country.  Tim as come to the front through his own efforts and may yet represent this district in congress."

Timothy Ansberry