Leyton Yancey

As printed in 1910

The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those of its representative citizens and yields its tribute of admiration and respect to those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state's prosperity and pride. Among the citizens of Lafayette county who are well known because of their success in agriculture and the part they have played as a true public-spirited citizen is Leyton Yancey, who was born at Waverly, this county. June 26, 1868. He is the son of Dr. John F. Yancey, mentioned in the sketch of Paul W. Yancey. He was educated in the common schools and the Wentworth Military Academy at Lexington, also attended Central College at Fayette, Missouri. Entering life for himself, he became editor and manager of The Progress at Independence, Missouri, and afterwards was instrumental in starting a daily edition of the same paper. He then went to Idaho and spent two years in silver and lead mining at Hailey. His next move was to Los Angeles, California, where he became a general reporter on the Herald. After remaining there about a year, he went to Redlands, California, and secured employment on the Redlands Daily Facts. He then became editor and manager of the Redlands Daily Review, which position he held about a year. He then entered the employ of the Spahr Fruit Company of Glendale, California, as a general man, and in a short time became assistant superintendent of the house. He afterwards became court reporter for the San Bernardino Daily Sun at San Bernardino, that state.

Finally returning to Waverly, Missouri, on December 19, 1906, Mr. Yancey married Bessie D. Ashurst, a cultured lady of the old Blue Grass state. One child, John Leyton, has graced this union.

Since returning from the Pacific coast Mr. Yancey has successfully operated one hundred and sixty acres of land, southwest of Waverly. Although a forceful writer and able manager of newspapers, Mr. Yancey prefers the freedom and quiet of a rural life, which is much more preferable, as all who have tried the two will readily attest. He has a neat and attractively located home and such outbuildings and modern farming machinery as his needs require, and he keeps some good livestock.

Mr. Yancey has been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons since he was twenty-one years of age. Politically he is a Democrat, and before going West he was very active in local politics, and has made his influence felt in this direction since his return. Personally he is a very pleasant gentleman, unassuming, genteel, well informed on the current topics of the day and always ready to support any measure having for its object the advancement of the community and state, and he is eminently deserving of the confidence and respect which all freely accord him wherever the circle of his acquaintance extends.

As printed in Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.