McDonough ILGenWeb

YEAST, John, a prominent farmer in Sciota Township, McDonough County, Ill., was born in Fulton County, Ill., August 18, 1863, and received his elementary education in the public schools of McDonough County. He is a son of John Leonard and Nancy (Griffin) Yeast, natives of Pennsylvania. John E. Yeast came to McDonough County in 1867, and bought 160 acres in Section 13, Sciota Township, from Hugh Ling, later increasing his land interests until he was the possessor of 640 acres. He was a Democrat in politics, and served creditably in several township offices.

The subject of this sketch is one of a family of eleven children, of whom nine are still living. He was brought by his parents to McDonough County in 1867, and remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-three years old. He then commenced farming for himself on Section 14, Sciota Township, where he owns 120 acres of land. He built his present residence in 1901, and has made other improvements.

On December 26, 1886, Mr. Yeast was married to Agnes James, who was born in McDonough County. The children born of this union are: Nina, Chester, Jessie, Guy and Davis. Religiously, Mr. Yeast is a member of the Methodist Church, in politics he is a Democrat, and was elected Township Assessor in 1905. Fraternally, he is associated with the Modern Woodmen of America.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 1052, extracted 26 Oct 2020 by Norma Hass.