JOSEPH YACKEY

JOSEPH YACKEY was born in Switzerland, December 25, 1848, and is a son of Victon and Mary (Layman) Yackey. When he was three years old his parents determined to try their fortunes in the new world, so they emigrated from Switzerland to America. They lived in New York for two years after they landed, and then removed to La Salle County, Illinois, where his parents died. Until he was fifteen years old his time was divided between duties on the farm and attending school. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in the United States service in Company E, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and was mustered out May 29, 1866, at Houston, Texas. He took part in many severe battles, being under the command of General Thomas. In 1865, at Alexandria, Louisiana, his regiment was placed under the command of General Custer, under whom he served until the close of the war. He enlisted as a private and was discharged as Sergeant. During the latter part of 1864 he served as private scout to Colonel McCalib. After he was discharged he returned to La Salle County, Illinois, and entered the employ of the Illinois Valley Coal Works as a miller. He remained there two years, and then took a position on the timber work, at which he was engaged three years; he was then made superintendent of the underground work of the mines, a position he held until 1880, when he concluded to abandon mining and try his fortune in Iowa. He came to Shelby County, April 2, 1880, and has since made this county his home. Prior to coming here he bought an eighty-acre tract in section 13, Union Township-the land upon which the town of Defiance, except the Haines addition, stands. When the Milwaukee Railroad was in course of construction Mr. Yackey disposed of his farm to the company, and bought 160 acres in sections 8 and 17. This was raw prairie, but has all been placed under cultivation. Mr. Yackey erected a comfortable residence and buildings for stock and grain, and planted three acres of grove. He continued his residence there until the spring of 1888, when he disposed of the place and bought the Moffitt farm, consisting of 160 acres, in section 10. Since coming to his new home he has planted five acres of grove. He devotes himself to farming and stock-raising exclusively. He is a member of the Republican party, and has represented his township as trustee. He was presented by his party as a candidate for the Legislature in 1885, but was defeated by a small majority. Mr. Yackey is a member of Guardian Lodge, No. 441, A. F. & A. M., and of the I. 0. 0. F., of Defiance, and of the G. A. R., Defiance Post. He was married December 25, 1866, to Miss Harriette Way , daughter of Hiram and Harriette (Allen ) Way, who was born April 2, 1850, in La Salle County, Illinois. They are the parents of six children - Hiram V., Edith Evaline, Mary T., George L., Joseph H., Hattie V. They are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Yackey is a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, supplying pulpits whenever duty calls.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 501-502. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs