Thomas A. Yates Biography



As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.




Thomas A. Yates, who for almost a third of a century has been the popular and efficient state agent at Pleasant Prairie, claims Wisconsin as his native state, his birth occurring June 27, 1853, in Barton, Washington County. His parents were Thomas and Isabel (McGuire) Yates, the former born in 1813 and the latter in 1814. The parents resided in Washington county for thirty-five years and then removed to Iowa, making their home in Osceola County until they passed away. During his boyhood and youth Thomas A. Yates attended the common schools near his home and on laying aside his textbooks engaged in farming, continuing to follow that occupation until twenty-eight years of age. He then turned his attention to railroading and was employed as a section hand for two years. He next learned telegraphy and was given a position as operator and station agent. He has now served in the latter capacity for thirty-two years and his services have been such as win the confidence and trust of his employers.

At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Yates was married at Port Washington to Miss Clara Eberhardt, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Eberhardt. To Mr. and Mrs. Yates have been born six children, as follows: Maude, deseased; Edna, who is now the wife of Donald Spooner, living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Verona, deceased; Earl, who was for four years connected with the marine corps in the Philippines, but is now in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad; Guy, who is also in the service of that road; and Irma, who is the wife of Harold C. Cone and has one child, Donald.

The republican party finds in Mr. Yates a stanch supporter of its principles, and he was called upon to serve as town treasurer for twelve years. He has also been a member of the school board, has served as postmaster of Pleasant Prairie for ?? years and at one time was elected justice of the peace but refused to serve in that cpacity. His public duties have always been most faithfully and conscientiously performed and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church and they have a host of warm friends in the community where they have so long resided.

Typed by: Michelle Laycock