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Jesse E. YOHE
Jesse E. Yohe, a well-known jewelry merchant of Decatur, has resided in this city for
the past fifteen years. He was born in Monogahela, Pennsylavania, a son of John S. and Amanda S.
Yohe. The father was a carriage manufacturer and in the year 1880 he left Pennsylvania and
removed with his family to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he remained for seven years and then came
to Illinois, the family home being established in Shelbyville, Shelby county. The father again
engaged in carriage manufacturing, but later turned his attention to agricultural pursuits,
conducting a farm in the southern part of the state.
Mr. Yohe of this review accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio and to
Illinois. he pursued his education in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and after his father began farming
he assisted him in the cultivation of fields and meadows on the home place in southern Illinois.
In 1901 the family removed to Macon county and here the father again engaged in farming. he is
still living in this country. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, four sons and six
daughters, all of whom yet survive with one exception.
It was in the year 1889 that Jesse E. Yohe arrived in Decatur. He was then quite
young and he entered the service of H. Post as an errand boy, but his ability, faithful performance
of his duties and close adherence to his work gradually won him advancement and trust of his
employers is shown by the fact that he remained for fourteen years in the services of H. Post &
Son, learning the watchmaker's and jeweler's trade during that time and becoming an efficient
workman. In March, 1903, he resigned his posision and purchased of E.J. Harpstrite the jewelry
store at No. 146 East Prairie avenue. This he is now now conducting and it is recognized as
one of the best jewelry stores in this part of the state.
Mr. Yohe is a member of Macon Lodge No. 8, A.F & A.M., also belongs to En
Ami Lodge No. 593, K.P. and to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 1626. Socially he is connected
with the Iroquois Club, of this city. He is one of the popular and prominent business men of
Decatur and his establishment is well conducted, he handling a large line of fine jewelry goods,
which in its attractive arrangements wins the attention of the public and secures a liberal
share of the general patronage. Mr. Yohe is genial in manner and his unfailing courtesy and
deference for the opinions of others have won him the high regard of young and old, rich and poor.
From Past and Present of Decatur and Macon County, 1903, p. 625 - 626
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George S. YOUNG
Was born in County Down, Ireland, November 14th, 1820. The Young family, are natives of Ireland and of Scotch
ancestry. Robert Young, the father of George S. was a merchant and manufacturer of boots and shoes, and carried on an
extensive business. He emigrated with a part of his family to America in 1832, and settled in New York; went from
there to Ohio, where he died in 1837. He married Elizabeth Martin; she died in Ireland in 1826. There were
eleven children in the family, seven sons and four daughters. Two of the children have survived the parents,
viz.; Elizabeth, and the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest son. He while in Ohio followed ditching,
building mill-dams and clearing land. In 1848 he came west, and stopped in the southern part of Illinois,
in Marion county, where he bought out a claim. In the fall of 1848 he came to Piatt county, and took a job
of digging a mill-race. He afterwards ditched in DeWitt county. In 1852 he traded his land in Marion
county for land in Champaign county, and afterwards entered land in the same county. He traded that land
for two hundred acres in section 18, T18, R4E. This was in the years 1852-3. He then took charge of his
father-in-law's farm, and remained so employed until 1854, when he commenced improving his own land in
section 18. It was raw land, and all the improvements have been placed there by him. He has remained
to the present time, and has a fine farm under cultivation. On the first of June, 1852, he was united in
marriage to Mill Otillia Long, daughter of Joseph D. Long, who was among the early settlers of Macon county.
Mrs. Young was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and came west with her parents when she was seven years of
age. By this union there have been seven children, five of whom are living. Their names are Clara,
wife of Newton Bricker; Ada, Joseph L., John Oscar, and Nellie G. Young. Winfield S. died at the age
of nine years, and Margaret J. at six years. Mr. Young is an honored member of the order of Free Masonry.
He joined the Monticello Lodge, and became a mason in 1849. He is now a member of Maroa Lodge No 454,
and Monticello Chapter, R.A.M., No. 48. Politically he was originally an old-line Whig, and cast his
first prsidential vote for Henry Clay in 1844. In 1856 he joined the republican party, and has continued
a member of that political organization to the present time. Mr. Young is a warm-hearted, generous man,
like the most of his countrymen. In his neighborhood he is respected by all who know him, and is
regarded as an honorable and honest man, and upright citizen.
History of Macon Co., Illinois, p. 202
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