BIOGRAPHY: Jacob YECKLEY, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 277-8
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JACOB YECKLEY, the leading merchant clothier of Gallitzin, this county, is a son 
of George and Mary (Aberle) Yeckley, and was born in Cresson township, this 
county, October 20, 1852.
     George Yeckley was a native of Baden, Germany. He there grew to manhood, 
and lived there, until his marriage with Mary Aberle, a native of the same 
place. In 1850 he left the land of his nativity and crossed the ocean to this 
country, whose advantages he desired to share. He first located at Plane No. 6, 
on the Old Portage road, and has resided in this and Blair county ever since. 
Since 1861 he has been a resident of Gallitzin, where he now resides. He is now 
sixty- eight years old, has been a miner all his life, and is a consistent 
member of the Lutheran church. His wife came to this country in 1851; she is now 
sixty-six years old, and is also a member of the Lutheran church.
     Mr. and Mrs. Yeckley come of old German ancestry, and were the first of 
their respective families to find a new world home.
     Jacob Yeckley spent his boyhood days in Gallitzin, where he received his 
education in public schools. After leaving school he was employed in the coal 
mines near Gallitzin for about eighteen years. In March, 1882, he engaged in the 
mercantile business and opened a clothing store in Gallitzin. He is an 
enterprising and successful business man, and for the success he has attained he 
is indebted to neither friends nor relatives, but to singleness of purpose 
coupled with fair business tact and acumen. He first began business in a small 
way, but by close application to business and unyielding perseverance he has 
become one of the most prosperous business men of that locality.
     He is a republican in politics, and while not a politician he has always 
taken an active interest in all party issues. He has served three terms as a 
member of the Gallitzin council, and in 1896 was candidate on the republican 
ticket for the nomination for county treasurer. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. 
F., having held membership in that organization since 1874; also a charter 
member of the Jr. 0. U. A. M.
     In October, 1878, Mr. Yeckley celebrated his marriage with Mary Fosler, a 
daughter of Jacob Fosler, of Gallitzin. This union has resulted in the birth of 
eight children, of whom one son and three daughters are living; those living 
are: Elsie L., Edna N., Eugene E. and Luella P. Clarence W. died at the age of 
nine years; Charles E. died when but seven months old; Lorena M. lived to be 
seven years old, and the other child died when but three days old.
     Mr. and Mrs. Yeckley are consistent members of the German Reformed church.