- WILLIAM S. YOST, one of the pioneers of Rock County of 1843,
and a leading citizen of Beloit,
- was born in Johnstown, Fulton County, N.Y., March 14, 1818,
and is of German descent. His grandfather, Peter YOST, was born
in Sax Cobeny, Germany, and emigrated to the United States when
a young man, settling at Johnstown. He was one of the founders
of that place, built the first saw and flouring mill, and was
interested in many of its first enterprises. He married a lady
by the name of SCHULTZ, and to them were born seven children
- John, Jacob, William, Nicholas, Ann, Mary and Elizabeth.
- William, the third child, and the father of our subject,
wedded Dorcas DOCKSTADER, of
- Montgomery County, N.Y. They were the parents of eleven children:
Joseph, the eldest, is now a resident of Fulton County, N.Y.;
Eliza married Matthew VAN HORN, and emigrated to Wills County,
Ill., in its pioneer days, where they both died; Nicholas D.
settled in Jefferson County, N.Y., where his death occurred;
Catherine, who died in Johnstown, N.Y., was the wife of John
LISWELL; Sarah married William SCHENCK, and came to Rock County
in 1843, where both died; William S; Jane A. wedding John HAYES
of Johnstown, where both departed this life; Frances, widow of
Frederick WIRT, is living in West Virginia; and Henry C. died
in Johnstown, N.Y. Mr. and Mrs. YOST were members of the Episcopal
Church, in which he served as Trustee for many years. They were
kind, accommodating people, respected by all, and both passed
to their final rest in Johnstown, N.Y., where they had lived
for so many years.
- The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on his father's
farm, and like most farm lads received
- his education in the common school, attending for about three
months in a year, while, as soon as he was large enough to manage
a plow, the rest of the year was spent in farm labor. Being of
a studious nature, Mr. YOST overcame his early disadvantages,
and soon acquired a liberal education. On the 4th day of March,
1840, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Harriet SADLIERE, who
was born in Johnstown, N.Y., July 3, 1821. Her parents, John
C. and Jane (KEPP) SADLIERE, were natives of the Empire State.
The father was of French descent, and the mother was a member
of a notable family of New York City.
- In 1843 Mr. and Mrs. YOST left New York for the far West,
going by canal to Buffalo, and
- thence by the Great Lakes to Kenosha, Wis., where they secured
teams and proceeded to Rock County. They located upon land which
Mr. YOST's father had previously purchased, and moving into a
little log cabin, began life in earnest. At that time bands of
Indians roamed over the prairie, and were frequent visitors at
the homes of the first settlers. At one time when Mr. YOST was
on a trip to Milwaukee, seven Indians came to the cabin and demanded
something to eat. Mrs. YOST being alone, gave them everything
she had, and they departed in peace; but we can well imagine
with what relief she saw them leave, for they were not always
on friendly terms with the settlers. In 1848 Mr. YOST erected
a cobble-stone house, which made them a comfortable home for
many years, and which is still in his possession. Although in
limited circumstances, on his arrival in Rock County the hard
labor which he bestowed upon his farm at length brought its reward,
and the accumulation of former years now enable them to live
in ease, retired from active duties in the decline of life. In
1868 he left his farm and became a resident of Beloit, where
he owns a comfortable home.
- Mr. and Mrs. YOST are the parents of six children: Joseph
H., who was born Jan. 11, 1843, died
- Jan. 15, 1863; Matilda P., born March 25, 1845, died Feb.
18, 1863; Frankey, born Jan. 27, 1850, is the wife of Willard
S. M. HART, of Turtle Township; Hattie L., born Jan. 10, 1861,
died April 1, 1882; William S. Jr., born July 8, 1864, is a traveling
salesman of Chicago; John Anthony, born March 12, 1848, is engaged
in farming on the old homestead in Beloit Township.
- In the same year as his marriage Mr. YOST cast his first
Presidential vote for William Henry
- Harrison. In 1856 he became a Republican, supporting that
party until the second election of Gen. Grant, when, not being
satisfied with Grant's administration, he voted for Greely. Since
that time he has supported the Democratic party, and was a great
admirer of Grover Cleveland and his administration. For over
forty-five years Mr. YOST has been a resident of Rock County,
and has been identified with its leading interests.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 526-527.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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