Biography - George W. Yantis
GEORGE W. YANTIS. One of the men who has made many sacrifices
forpersonal interests that have redounded to the benefit and advantage of
the place that he has made his home, is he whose name heads this sketch.
Although he has accumulated neither the land nor the pecuniary advantages
that many of his neighbors and fellow-townsmen have gained, no one has
accomplished more for the township than has our subject. Recognizing that
educational advantages offer inducements for settlement to the best class of
people he has striven to build up a reputation in this direction for the
town, and he is a progressive man in every way. Mr. Yantis is a general
farmer residing on section 32, of Pickaway Township, where he owns eighty
acres of well improved land.
Our subject located on his present farm in 1864. It was at the time
partially improved and since then he has expended much money and unceasing
effort in bringing it up to a high state of cultivation. He has lived in
this township since 1855, and in the county since 1853. He was born in
Pickaway County, Ohio, April 20, 1836, and is the second son of Daniel
Yantis. of whom a biographical sketch may be found in another part of this
volume.
The original of our sketch was only a young man when his parents came to
this State, and he here attained his majority, where his marriage took
place. His wife's maiden name was Miss Lucinda Tolley, who was born August
2, 1843, in Flat Branch Township. She was reared and educated in this county
and here died at their home May 4, 1882. She was a daughter of James Tolley,
one of the oldest settlers in this part of the county. Mrs. Yantis was a
co-worker with her husband in everything that pertained to the interest and
advancement of the community. She was a kindly neighbor, and an intelligent
and cultured woman. She was a member of the old-school Baptist Church, and
an ardent worker in that body. Five children came to enliven the home life
of our subject and his estimable wife. One of these, a daughter whose name
was Rose B. is deceased. The living children are Minnie E., John W., James
T. and George V. Minnie is the wife of William Seibert, and lives in
Assumption, where her husband is engaged in the grocery business. John W.
took to wife Rachael Rice and he now lives on a farm in this county and
township. James was married to Nora B. Killam and resides in Elk County,
Kan. on a farm. George lives with his father and is of great assistance in
conducting the business of the farm.
Our subject is a Democrat in his political belief. He has no aspirations to
high position, and enjoys the consciousness that while the pleasure of his
life is in his home, his heart is disposed to work unselfishly tor the good
of others.
Extracted 16 Feb 2019 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 597-598.
