James Yeoman. No one among the surviving pioneers in Lake County is more deserving
of favourable mention in this work than the worthy Christian gentleman whose name heads this sketch.
He is a native of England, and was born in the town of Probus, Cornwall, on the 1st of April, 1813.
His parents, Bennett and Bathsua (Hotten) Yeoman, were also natives of Cornwall, and his father was
a merchant tailor of Probus for many years.
The subject of this sketch received a good English
education, and learned the business of a merchant tailor in his father’s shop. Having attained to
man’s estate, he engaged in business for himself in his native town as a merchant tailor and
dry-goods merchant, carrying on an extensive business, and employing at times as many as fourteen
workmen and clerks. On the 10th of May, 1836, he was united in marriage in Probus with Miss
Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis and Mary Pentecost. The lady was born in Probus, June 15, 1815, and is
descended from good old English ancestry. In the spring of 1846, Mr. Yeoman emigrated to America
with his family, then consisting of a wife and six children. In October, they landed in Boston,
where Mrs. Yeoman has a brother residing, the Rev. William Pentecost, a minister of the Methodist
Church.
After a short time spent in Boston, they came to Illinois, landing at Little Fort, now
Waukegan, where Mrs. Yeoman’s sister, Mrs. Treweeke, resided. Mr. Yeoman was anxious to engage in
agricultural pursuits, and at once purchased a partially improved farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in Benton Township, now the property of his son-in-law, Hiram Ferry. The farm is situated on
the Waukegan and Kenosha road, and was the site of the well-known tavern, the Grove House. Not
liking the idea of becoming an inn keeper, Mr. Yeoman took down the sign and closed the house as a
place of entertainment for travellers, devoting his attention to farming. Tiring of his new style of
life after three years experience, he leased his farm in 1849 and engaged in the clothing business
in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Six years later he sold out at that place and returned to his farm where he resided
until 1862. He then sold the farm and engaged in business in Waukegan as merchant tailor, undertaker
and dealer in furniture, which business he carried on successfully until 1881, having his son Edward
for a partner some four years. At the expiration of that time, his health being impaired, he retired
from active business.
Mr. and Mrs. Yeoman were blessed with a family of eleven children, seven sons
and four daughters, of whom six were born in Cornwall, England, one in Kenosha and four in Lake
County. Of the eleven, four only are now living, two daughters and two sons: John, the eldest,
married Hattie Graham, of Waukegan, and died at the age of thirty-one years, leaving one child,
Maggie M.; William P. is married, and is a leading jeweller of Waukegan, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this work; Edward B. married Helen Vandemark, and is a manufacturer of Chicago and
Waukegan; Mary Jane is the wife of Hiram Ferry, a prominent farmer of Benton Township, who is also
represented elsewhere in this work; Bennett died in infancy; Philippa died at the age of four
years; Louisa died in infancy; Philippa Bathsua is the wife of George R. Lyon, a merchant of
Waukegan; Bennett James died in infancy, as did also the two next younger, both of whom were named
Lewis James.
Mr. and Mrs. Yeoman continued to reside in Waukegan until August, 1890, when finding
themselves becoming infirm from advancing years, they made their home with their daughter, Mrs.
Ferry, in Benton Township, where they are cherished and honoured members of the home circle. This
worthy couple are most earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which
they have been connected since youth, Mr. Yeoman having united with that church when fourteen years
of age, and his wife when she was sixteen.
Mr. Yeoman has been actively identified with the
Methodist Church since he reached mature years as a Class-Leader and a member of the official Board,
and has contributed liberally to its support. He has long been recognized as a prominent and
influential member whose whole heart is enlisted in the cause of Christianity. While he loves the
name of Methodist, he is broad and liberal in his views, and has given a generous support to other
Christian denominations in erecting their houses of worship. He does not think it necessary to
consider the name of creed of a fellow Christian, but is ready to welcome with open arms any true
and consistent follower of Christ.
In politics Mr. Yeoman was an anti-slavery man in the early days
of his residence in America, and has voted with the Republican party since its organization. His
life has been a busy and useful one, and has been crowned with success, so that in his old age he is
well-to-do, and is the owner of a valuable property, both real estate and personal. He and his wife
have been wedded companions for fifty-five years, during which time they have been devoted to each
other and to their children in the highest sense of domestic duty and affection, and their lives
have been such as to command the respect and kindly regard of all who know them.