Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 309 - 310  

FRANKLIN YIKE, whose portrait we give in this connection, is the owner of Yike's Addition to Wichita, and a gentleman who has done efficient service in the progress and growth of this remarkable Western city. His fine farm which constitutes his present homestead, lies adjacent to the city limits, and was purchased by him in 1883 for the sum of $5,000. It comprises 229 acres, most eligibly located, and is now estimated to he worth $200,000. In addition to this property Mr. and Mrs. Yike are the owners of three lots on South Lawrence street, nine lots on South Market street, five on Campbell avenue, five on North Oak street, three on Martinson avenue, three acres of land in Ferry's Addition, and a whole section in the western part of this county. The estate also includes a livery stable, store building and dwelling-house at Eureka Springs, Ark. This property was accumulated from a modest beginning, and illustrates the result of industry and perseverance, coupled with good judgment in regard to investments and sound sense in the general transaction of business. 

     Henry Yike, the paternal grandfather of our subject, emigrated with his parents to America from near the River Rhine in Germany, when but a lad and before the war of the Revolution. He subsequently participated in that conflict on the side of the Colonists, and after the struggle was ended employed himself as a farmer and blacksmith in Schuylkill County, Pa. He was of splendid constitution, strong, vigorous and robust, and was at the head of a family including eight children. In political opinions he was a Whig, and in matters of religion, a Presbyterian. The father of our subject, Henry Yike, Sr., and son of the above, was born at his father's homestead in Schuylkill County, Pa., Dec. 25, 1809. He also learned the business of farmer and the trade of blacksmith, and upon reaching manhood married Miss Hester, daughter of Jonathan Raber, of his own county. To them were born nine children, namely: Elizabeth, Hester, Henry, Isaac, Julia, Franklin of our sketch, James, Mary and Caroline. Of these children six are living and mostly residents of Miami County, Ind. The mother died when comparatively a young woman, and the father was subsequently married, in Indiana, to Miss Annetta Morris, by whom he had one child, a daughter, Sarah J. In 1847 he changed his residence from Schuylkill County, Pa., to Miami County, Ind., where he became owner of a fine farm of 286 acres, and where his death took place in 1882, at the age of seventy-three years. He had been a hard-working and law-abiding citizen, peaceable in all the relations of life, and held the respect of his entire community. He was somewhat prominent in public affairs, holding the offices of Assessor and Tax Collector. His funeral was attended by a large concourse of people, and over 200 guests besides his own family took dinner at his house after the services. His second wife is now deceased, having died in 1866. 

     The subject of this sketch was born at the farm in Schuylkill County, Pa., on the 3d of June, 1841. When a boy six years of age he removed with his parents to Indiana, where he learned the trade of blacksmith and business of farmer, and became familiar with pioneer life. He acquired a fair education and received careful home training, remaining a member of the parental household until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. On the 9th of August, 1862, not long after his twenty-first birthday, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 87th Indiana Infantry, for three years, or during the war. With his comrades he met the enemy in battle at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro and 8mithfield. He also joined with the troops of Gen. Sherman in the famous march to the sea, and with them also afterward marched up to Washington and was present at the final grand review. He was never wounded and never in an ambulance, and never missed stacking arms with his company. At the close of the war he was mustered out under general orders at Indianapolis in June, 1865. He was, however, visited with a severe affliction in the loss of his hearing from the concussion of shells thrown by the rebels in the battle of Hoover's Gap, and has never recovered the loss of this sense. 

     After his release from army life Mr. Yike returned to Indiana and resumed blacksmithing, although for but a short time. In a few months he started out to see something more of the great West, visiting the States of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Kansas, where in connection with his trade, he also dealt considerably in live stock. In 1872 he concluded to settle in Wichita, and not long afterward made his first venture in the business which has since proved so successful. 

     The marriage of Franklin Yike and Mrs. Mary Seger was celebrated at the home of the bride in Wichita, Jan. 1, l876. Mrs. Yike is the daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Allen) Carpenter, of Canada, where she was born Feb. 19, 1839. Her father was a native of Vermont and spent his last years in Michigan. The mother is dead. By her first marriage Mrs. Yike became the mother of a son, William F., who is now living in Sedgwick County. Of her present marriage there are no children. The family residence is a tasteful and substantial structure, fully in keeping with the means and position of its inmates, who enjoy the esteem and confidence of all who know them.

[ Home ]