William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas

HARVEY COUNTY, Part 18

LAKIN TOWNSHIP.

Died: Aug. 26, 1914

C. H. YEOMANS, farmer, Section 8, P. O. Halstead, owns 320 acres, 190 acres cultivated, 160 enclosed with hedge and three acres in orchard, dwelling 20 x 24, barn and granary 14 x 20. Has lately turned his attention to the raising of fine stock, has now thirty-eight head. He was born in Ohio, August 3, 1849, and entered the army in the spring of 1864 as a drummer boy in Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio National Guards for 100 days, and for a short time was stationed at Johnson's Island, guarding prisoners and was then ordered to Cynthiana, Ky., where with his command and other troops, they were captured by John Morgan, after a sharp fight, June 9, 1864, but Morgan being pressed very closely by Gen. Burtridges, all the prisoners were paroled and released just at the time the rear guard was having a heavy engagement with the Federal advance., from there they went back to Camp Dennison, Ohio where a great many of his command died of wounds, received in the fight and from there the regiment was sent back to Johnson's Island and remained until being mustered out on August 20, 1864. In the spring of 1865, he went to Boston and got a position in a store, and in the fall shipped on the ship Vermont, Capt. Higgins, in the South America trade, and made a trip from there to Rio and Calao, Peru, and to the Chinchi Islands to bring on a cargo of guano and returned via Cape Horn and were blown over near the coast of Africa and were 110 days out of sight of land, finally landed at Cowes, in the Isle of Wright, and were ordered to Rotterdam, where they discharged cargo. Having enough of sea life he returned home via London, Liverpool and Portland, Me. In the fall of 1869, he went to Missouri and engaged in railroad life until 1871, when he returned to Ohio and from there to Kansas, locating here March 27, 1871, where he has made his home, although he has spent several years in hunting buffalo and other game on the western plains and in the pan handle of Texas, and while there was also engaged in surveying and had a great many narrow escapes from the Indians, who on one occasion killed seven of their party. He married December 15, 1875, Mrs. Mary Ferguson, a native of New York state. They have three children -- Blanch, Chauncy and Irene. Is a member of the Christian Church and the G. A. R. Was the first Constable appointed in the township and has held the office a number of terms and occupies the position at present and has been Treasurer of the School Board.