yockeyd
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
DANIEL YOCKEY resides two and
one-half miles southeast from Dyer and is one of the substantial and venerable
men of the country. His life has been filled with stirring activity,
as will be seen by an account of the same. He was born in Armstrong
county, Pennsylvania, on January 18, 1837, the son of Henry and Mary (Rosenberger)
Yockey, natives of Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools of
his native county and received very scant opportunities to gain an education.
He remained on the farm until manhood's estate, then went to the oil regions
where he worked until the war broke out. In July, 1862, he enlisted
in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company
B, under Captain James L. McLain and Colonel Collier. He was placed
in the army of the Potomac under Generals Franklin and Sedgwick.
His regiment was formed in Pittsburg and went to the front in 1862 where
his first labor was to assist in burying the dead on the battlefield of
the Second Bull Run. He then fought in the battles of Antietam and
Fredericksburg. His winter quarters were at Equit creek after which
he was a participant in the battle of Chancellorsville where he lost a
finger and was then sent back to the hospitals of Washington and Philadelphia.
He was retained there until 1863, when he rejoined his command at Brandy
station near Culpepper court house. He was in the great battle of
the Wilderness, Grant's first large fight against Lee, and was wounded
in the shoulder the evening of the first day. He was sent to the
above named hospitals again and regained his regiment at the beginning
of the siege of Petersburg. He took part in the Shenandoah Valley
campaign and also fought the famous guerilla, General Mosby, during the
winter of 1863. Their winter quarters that year were near Harper's
Ferry and in the spring of 1864, they took part in various actions, then
went to Washington to defend the city and fought at Fort Stevens, against
Early. He took part in the battle of Winchester, then participated
at Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. After this he was in General Grant's
command in the campaign against Lee until his surrender. He was then
sent to Danville to assist Sherman and later participated in the grand
review at Washington. He was finally mustered out in June, 1865,
as a corporal, having the satisfaction of knowing that he had done praiseworthy
service for his country. He returned to the oil regions and wrought
until 1867, then he went to his old home and farmed for two years.
Then he removed to LaClede county, Missouri, and farmed for eight years.
In 1877, Mr. Yockey came to Washington by wagon train across the plains
and settlement was made in Garfield county where he remained on the pre-emption
for twelve years. It was 1890, when he came to Douglas county and
took up a timber culture just southeast from Dyer, where he lives at the
present time. His farm is in a high state of cultivation and well
improvred and he breeds cattle and horses in addition to doing farming.
Mr. Yockey has three brothers and one sister, Frederick, Jacob, John, and
Mrs. Elizabeth Hill.
In Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, on January
17, 1867, Mr. Yockey married Martha Wassom. Her parents, John and
Susannah (Trennels) Wassom, are natives of Pennslvania. The father
fought in the Rebellion. Mrs. Yockey was born in Pennsylvania, on
January 17, 1846, and has one sister, Delilah Salsbery. Our subject
and his wife have eight children, named as follows: William, an adopted
one, Charlott A. Rigg, Mrs. Mildred McLean, Henry, Mrs. Emma Stout, Mrs.
Mary Nolan and Mrs. Minnie Smith.
Mr. Yockey is a member of the G. A. R. and
a very enthusiastic supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln at his second term, being then
in the army. He is a man of reliability and excellent standing.
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