Contributed to the Pierce County WIGenWeb Project by Nance Sampson nsampson@spacestar.net
@2000 by Nance Sampson

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RICHARD YATES, farmer, P. O. Rock Elm, Pierce county, was born in Heap, 
Lancashire, England, a son of William and Mary (Mason) Yates, natives of
England.  Of their five children, Richard is the only one living.  The
others were Ann (Mrs. Bold), who died in England; Elizabeth (Mrs. Fletcher),
who also died in England; Susanna, who died at Merton, Wis., and Thomas, who
died in England.  Richard received his education in England at a parish
school and when twenty-two years of age came to this country and settled in
Merton, Waukesha county, Wis., and worked at farming for about ten years.
He married Miss Mary A., daughter of Terence and Ann Heslin, of Irish descent.
In 1868, soon after their marriage, they came to Pierce county, Wis., and
took a homestead and commenced their pioneer life.  They hesitated at no
hardships to secure a home, and his wife proved a true helpmate, doing all
she could.  She got the first grass seed they had for raising hay, by cutting
and gathering stray heads in the fence corners.  Now they have a good home
and can enjoy a comfortable existence.  Nine children have been born to 
them, as follows:  William H., who died in New Mexico; Elizabeth A. (Mrs.
Pomeroy), living near her old home; John M., living at Rock Elm; John M.,
living at Rock Elm; Joseph, who died at Merton, Wis.; George T., who died at 
Rock Elm, and the others living at home are Walter L., Ida S., Mary E., and 
Robert T.  Mr. Yates has held the office of school director for several 
years, was a member of the I. O. O. F. and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
church.  In politics he is a prohibitionist.

--Taken from the "Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa Valley
Wisconsin Including A General Historical Sketch of the Chippewa Valley;
Ancestral Records fo Leading Families; Biographies of Representative Citizens,
Past and Present; and Portraits of Prominent Men.  Edited by George Forrester.
Published in Chicago, Illinois by A. Warner. Publisher. 1891-2. Page 752