Benjamin Franklin Yates

Benjamin Franklin Yates was born in September of 1836 in either Kentucky or Ohio. 


On November 17, 1864 B.F. Yates married Etha Inda Williams in Golcanda, Pope County, Illinois.

In the 1870 Census they are living in Township 11 Range 5, Pope County, Illinois. He is working as a hired hand or farm hand. It states that he cannot write and that he was born in Ohio. Etha Inda's name is written as Eliza J. Two children are living in the house. William A is 8 years old and Melissa J is 3 years old. William had been to school that year.

I am assuming that William is from a previous marriage however he could be a family member that was orphaned.

In the 1880 Census the family is living in Eddyville, Pope County, Illinois. His occupation is Farmer. The census states that he was born in Kentucky and that he cannot read or write. It also states that his mother was born in Tennessee and his father in Virgina. His wife Etha Inda is with the family along with 6 children.

William  18  son farmer
Melissa J  13 daughter housework
Samuel  8  son
Georgia A.  6 daughter
Sarah D.  4 daughter
Viola  2 daughter

All the children of age had attended school.


A Joseph Graves age 21 lives with the family and is listed as a farmer.

One bit of information that is stated on the census always has me wondering. Benjamin Yates is stated as being blind. This little tid bit leads to many questions. How did he go blind? Was there a farming accident? Why was he listed as a farmer? It is amazing how one little dash on the census can keep you guessing.

In the 1900 Census the family is still found in Eddyville, Pope County, Illinois. Benjamin is a farmer that was born in Ohio in September 1836. It states that is parents were both born in Ohio. This time it states that he CAN read and write. He is living with his wife Etha Inda, 2 sons and a grandson.

Aaron   son   born July 1885  age 15
Roscoe   son  born March 1887  age 13

Milas  grandson born April 1890  age 10

The children had attended 4 months of school that year ( the census was taken in June).


On June 8, 1901  Benjamin Yates died in Eddyville, Pope County, Illinois. He was buried in Old Home Cemetery, Pope County, Illinois.

His death notice can be found in the Massac Co. Grantee Index Book A lists  under Benjamin Yates in 1850 - 23-15-4.

Death Notice in Herald Enterprise
June 13, 1901, Thursday - On front page
"......A Good Citizen Gone ..... Mr Ben F Yates, of Eddyville precinct, died at his home near Eddyville, Saturday night, aged 67 years. The funeral was held at Old Home Sunday at 5pm. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Y. B. Holloway. Deceased was a good citizen and held in high esteem by all who knew him. He leaves a wife and eight children.


Resources: marriage record, census record, headstone, death notice and email correspondence with Dixie Barger