Thomas D. Yocom

As printed in 1887

HOMAS D. YOCOM, one of the solid and substantial citizens of Brown Township, has been a resident of the Ilawkeye State since 1871. He is located on his comfortable homestead on section 18, which comprises 160 acres of choice and well-cultivated land, which he has accumulated through his own energy, industry and perseverance. He bears a record of which he should be amply proud and satisfied, and ranks j among the good citizens and honest men who have made the State of Iowa one of the first in the Union.

Thomas D. Yocom is a native of Ohio, born in Belmont County, Dec. 17, 1'829. He received a eoiumon-school education, and remained with his parents until their removal to Morgan County, when he accompanied them, and continued at home until he had nearly attained his majority. He was: soon thereafter married, and first located in this latter county. His father was a carpenter by trade, and our subject served an apprenticeship under his instruction, working at that business for fifteen years after his marriage. He then purchased a small farm in Morgan County and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, continuing in: these until 1871. Believing that he could better B his financial condition by going further west, he crossed the Mississippi and landed on the soil of: the Ilawkeye State, lie proceeded to Linn County I and purchased eighty acres of land in Brown Township, on section 18, which continues his permanent home.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Anna Bailey took place Feb. 28, 1849. This lady was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Wood) Bailey, natives of Virginia. They removed from their native State to Belmont County, Ohio, afterward to Athens, then to Morgan County, and thence to Missouri, where the father died. The mother subsequently removed to Kansas, and resides there at the present time. To their union were born seven B children — Anna, John, Elizabeth, James, George, I Mary and Sarah. Anna was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and by her marriage became the mother of seven children: Henry D., Charles, Edward, Nathan G., Thomas A., Mary E. and Sarah A. Henry died in infancy; Charles died when a child about six years old; Edward married Miss Louise M. Calvert, and resides in Marshall County, Iowa; Nathan died when about four years old; Thomas married Miss Cynthia A. Pearson, and they reside in Marshall County, Iowa; Mary E. died in infancy; Sarah A. resides at home. The wife of our subject departed this life Sept. 10, 1864, in Morgan County. Ohio.

In due time Mr. Yocom contracted a second marriage, Dec. 12, 1865, with Miss Mary J. Bailey, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Embree) Bailey, natives of Ohio. They were residents of Morgan County, and the parents of the following-named children: Mary J., Deborah A.. John, Joseph, Rachel and Albert M. Rachel was fatally injured by a gun-shot wound. Mary J. was born in Bel- 9 mont County, Dec. 22, 1835, and by her marriage

13B is the mother of two children, Rachel and Joshua, who reside at home.

The parents of Mr. Thomas D. Yocom were Thomas and Sarah (Dewes) Yocom. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, born near the headwaters of the Susquehanna River, in 171)7. The mother was also a native of the Keystone State. born in 1806, near Bellefonte. The father was of German ancestry, and the mother a descendant of stanch old Irish progenitors. After their marriage they settled in Belmont County, Ohio, whence they removed in 1847, to Morgan County, Ohio, where their lives terminated, the father dying June 19, 1878, and the mother April 18, 1885. They became the parents of nine children, viz., Samuel B., Thomas D., James R., Daniel S., Jesse, Rebecca J., Mary A., Rachel and William W. They were excellent and highly respected old people, and reared their children to principles of truth and honesty.

Mr. and Mrs. Yocom are members of the Society of Friends, endeavoring to follow out the principles of their faith. They are quiet and peaceable neighbors, stanch friends, and valued members of the community. Mr. Yocom is Republican in politics, is decided in his views, and expresses his Opinion in a manner which invariably commands respect.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.