History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

990

HISTORY OF DETROIT

William Yerkes had secured three hundred and twenty acres-a half
section-of government land, the same being heavily timbered, and
here he set himself vigorously to the herculean task of reclaiming a
farm from the wilderness. As may well be understood, the family endured its full share of the privations and hardships ever attendant upon
the life of a pioneer, but peace and contentment found dwelling in the
little log house, whose hospitality was unbounded and whose associations were those of mutual affection and helpfulness. Wild game of
all kinds was plentiful and did much to reinforce the none too ample
larder of the household. William Yerkes became one of the leading
citizens of this section of the state and was an influential factor in
public affairs as well as in furthering the settlement and attendant
development and progress of southern Michigan. He selected land for
other settlers, and his compensation for such service was at the rate of
five dollars for each eighty acres thus secured through his interposition. He was closely concerned also with the upbuilding of the village
of Northville and was, a leader always in thought and action, being a
man of inflexible integrity and strong individuality. He served as a
member of the first legislature after the admission of Michigan to.statehood in 1837, and was again called upon to represent this body in
1856-7. He also held for a number of years the office of commissioner,of the poor for Oakland county and supervisor of Novi township
for several years, and was constant in good works and kindly and considerate for others. He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian
church and he and his wife were constituent members of this church
in Northville, in the founding and upbuilding of which he was one of
the most influential factors, the original church edifice having been
erected in 1843.
William Yerkes was born in Moreland, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of September, 1794, of staunch German lineage,
and after his migration to Michigan he continued to reside on his homestead farm near Northville until his death, which took place on the 5th
day of January, 1884, but a few months prior to his ninetieth birthday anniversary. He was one of the sterling pioneers of Michigan and
his name merits an enduring place of honor on its recorded annals.
His devoted wife, a loving companion and helpmeet ever and the gracious
mother of his children, was born in New Jersey, on the 21st day of
March, 1799, and passed away on the 11th day of September, 1881,
secure in the reverent affection of all who had come within the circle
of her gentle influence. The remains of these honored pioneers rest in
the Yerkes Family Cemetery near Northville. Of their ten children
but three are now living;-Robert, one of the venerable and honored
pioneer citizens of Northville, who is the immediate subject of this
review; Charles; and George, a resident of Grand Junction, Colorado.
Robert Yerkes was born on September 26, 1829, as stated in a previous paragraph of this sketch. In his early youth the school system
of Michigan was practically non-existent, and the children of William
Yerkes were given private instruction in the fundamentals of education
in their own home, under the direction of a hired tutor. Later, when
the select schools came into vogue, Robert attended them and still later
he attended the public schools when they came into operation. The
educational equipment thus received was sufficient to start Mr. Yerkes
in life, and though he ever felt the lack of a higher education, he continued all through his life to study consistently and gain such knowledge as he might. It may be said here that had Robert Yerkes been able
to name his own vocation he would probably have chosen law or literature, for his natural gifts and inclinations ever leant in those directions,
but he could not choose, and when he chose the role of agriculturist, he