William Yeakle
William Yeakle was born in Butler County, October 29, 1834, and is the oldest son of Jacob and Margaret (Sortman) Yeakle. The former was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in the early years of the present century, and married a daughter of Bernard Sortman, raising a familyof six children to maturity. He died in 1844. Mrs. Margaret Yeakle, now the widow of Christopher Donner, is still living and in vigoroushealth. William Yeakle was educated in the common schools of Butler County. When sixteen he commenced an apprenticeship at the cabinet trade, which lasted for three years. He continued as a journeyman three years. He entered the employment of Stephen Hughes, in the manufacture of bran dusters in 1855, and continued with him till 1869, when the firm of Stephen Hughes & Co., was formed, consisting of Mr. Hughes and Mr. Yeakle. It is now known as the Stephen Hughes Manufacturing Company, and of this Mr. Yeakle is vice-president. It was incorporated in February, 1882. Their bran duster takes the lead of anything manufactured, having a large sale. They employ a number of hands.
Mr. Yeakle was married October 16, 1860, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Galloway. They are the parents of eight children, six now living. They are Lurella, Sarah Elva, Maggie, William Stephen, Wilson G., and Robert R. Mr. Yeakle is a member of the Odd Fellows.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.