Page 245-247

In his dual capacity as judge of the eastern district of the county court of Livingston county and as one of the foremost representatives of farming interests in this section, Judge J. A. Yeomans has attained a position that places him beyond the rank of mediocrity and his attainments have been the more creditable as he started out in life practically without any means and has worked himself into a prominent place through his own endeavors. The Yeomans family is of old English origin and settled in Massachusetts long before the Revolutionary war but later removed to Canada. The mother of our subject belongs to an old New York family.

Judge Yeomans resides on a two hundred acre farm on sections 17, 18, and 19, Chillicothe township, in the cultivation and improvement of which he has been successfully engaged for a number of years. He was born at Belleville, Ontario, Canada, July 10, 1864, and two years later, in 1866, was brought by his parents, to Livingston county. He is a son of John H. and Phebe C. (Knight) Yeomans. The father, after crossing the border into the United States, followed the trade of carpentering and contracting and later became an extensive farmer, specializing in stock-raising. He died in 1893 at the age of sixty-six years, his wife following him in death thirteen years later, in 1906, being seventy-two years of age at the time of her demise. Both found their last resting place in the Edgewood cemetery at Chillicothe, Missouri.

J. A. Yeomans had the advantage of a thorough education, attending high school at Chillicothe until the age of fourteen years, after which he continued in the country schools, and during much of his time he assisted his father in the work of the farm. As his father was not in the best of health, more and more of the responsibilities of conducting the homestead fell upon his shoulders and gradually he looked after the whole management of the place. His efforts were attended by remarkable success and as his financial resources increased he added to his holdings which now comprise two hundred acres. Mr. Yeomans engages in mixed farming and makes a specialty of raising Shorthorn cattle. By his progressive methods, unfaltering industry and energy he has transformed his property into one of the most valuable farms in the section and derives there from annually a good income. In 1910 he was elected judge of the county court and that his services in this connection were discharged to the satisfaction of his constituents is evidenced in his reelection in 1912. His decisions have ever been strictly fair and impartial, based upon the law and equity of the case, and he is regarded one of the most able judges that ever presided over the county court. His political views incline him toward the republican, party, in the platform of which he sees the fulfillment of those ideals in which he believes. His public spirit has also found expression in other service, having held positions in Chillicothe township as township clerk and assessor, and, that education finds in him a stalwart supporter is manifest by the fact that for a number of years he has served as director of school district No. 2, which is now No. 59.

Judge Yeomans was married April 2, 1896, in Chillicothe township, to Miss Iva Walton, a daughter of Jesse A. and Basha (Norman) Walton, the former a prominent farmer of Chillicothe township. Judge and Mrs. Yeomans have two children, Norman K. and John W., both attending the district school. The fraternal relations of Judge Yeomans are with the Modern Woodmen of America and he is also a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. In his activities and interests he has had an important bearing upon the development of this section and his record as an official has always been that of a man, faultless in honor, fearless in conflict and stainless in reputation. There is no spectacular phase in his life, however, but what he has accomplished he has brought about through his own energy, and his career is proof of the fact that success is ambition's answer. Having lived in Livingston county for almost fifty years he has witnessed the wonderful transformation that has occurred as pioneer conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization and he has not only attained individual success but has been a factor in the general development and advancement.

Table of Contents

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Home