BIO: Nathaniel H. YEARICK, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ N. H. YEARICK, a prominent general merchant, and postmaster of Jacksonville, was born in Marion township, Centre county, August 25, 1850, and is a worthy representative of a family that has long been identified with the agricultural and commercial interests of the county. His father, Henry Yearick, was born in Gregg township, Centre county, January 10, 1822, a son of John and Sarah Saloma (Rishel) Yearick, natives of the same county, where they spent their entire lives, the former dying in 1876, aged sixty-seven years, and the latter in 1882, aged seventy-seven. In their family were the following children: Mary, who wedded John Zupler, but both are now deceased; Rebecca, who married Jacob Royer, and both are deceased; William, a minister of the Reformed Church, who was crippled through rheumatism, and died at the age of sixty-three years; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Elias Hoy, but both are now deceased; Henry, the father of our subject; Sarah, who married Samuel Phillips, and located in Ohio, where her death occurred; John, a retired farmer of Nittany Valley, Clinton Co., Penn.; Samuel (deceased), who was a local preacher of the Evangelical Church, but spent his last days in retirement upon a farm; Adam, a farmer of Walker township, Centre county; Catherine, widow of George S. Hoy, of Centre county; and Julian, deceased wife of John Spayo also deceased. The paternal grandparents of these children, Adam and (Williman) Yearick, were natives of Dauphin county, but were among the first settlers of Centre county, where they made their home upon a farm during the remainder of their lives. The maternal grandfather, Adam Rishel, a native of Centre county, became one of the early pioneers of Clinton county, Penn., where he speculated exten- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 517 sively in land, but spent his last days in Clearfield county. Henry Yearick, the father of our subject, was for many years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and merchandising, but is now enjoying a well-earned rest at his pleasant home in Jacksonville, where he has lived retired since 1886. Being very fond of reading, much of his time is devoted to that enjoyment. In 1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Leinbach, who was born in Northumberland county, Penn., in October, 1826, and is a daughter of Samuel and Polly (Foreinger) Leinbach, natives of Berks and Lehigh counties, Penn., respectively. In 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Yearick removed to Marion township, Centre county, where for several years they made their home upon a farm. They are faithful members of the Reformed Church, and are held in the highest esteem and respect by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. To Henry Yearick and wife were born children as follows: Samuel Alfred, a carpenter of Superior, Neb.; Sarah, wife of J. J. Hoy, a farmer of Marion township, Centre county; N. H., of this review; Mary, twin sister of our subject, and the wife of Hugh S. Shaffer, who is serving as postmaster of Madisonburg, Centre county; Laura, wife of James S. Martin, a farmer of Jacksonville; Cicero, a dentist of Detroit, Mich.; Ida, wife of J. W. Holmes, who operates a steam thresher and also engages in carpentering in Jacksonville; Charles E. and John W., both farmers of Marion township; and Tillie E., wife of Edwin Peck, a merchant of Walker township, Centre county. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in attending the district schools and assisting in the labors of the home farm until nineteen years of age, when he began clerking for his father in a general mercantile store at Zion, Centre county, where he remained for two years. They then formed a partnership in Bellefonte, and in 1876 they established a business at Jacksonville, under the firm name of H. Yearick & Son. This connection continued until 1886, when they sold out to W. W. D. Yearick & Brother, but two years later our subject re- purchased the store, becoming sole owner, and has since successfully conducted the same. He carries a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise, and does an annual business of $7,000. For some time he also traveled on the road, and now, in connection with his mercantile pursuits, engages in farming. In January, 1872, in Zion, Centre county, he was married to Miss Jennie E. Rockey, a native of Mifflinburg, Union county, Penn., born May 2, 1851, and they have six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: John H., May 12, 1874; Charles N., December 31, 1876; Earl W., February 18, 1880; Alta A., January 24, 1889; Arthur F., March 7, 1891; and Nevin A., July 10, 1896. All are at home with their parents with the exception of John H., who is engaged in farming in Marion township. John L. and Amelia (Katherman) Rockey, the parents of Mrs. Yearick, were natives of Mifflinburg, Penn., where the father was extensively engaged in farming until 1851, when he removed to Zion, Centre county. There he died January 7, 1881, at the age of sixty-one years; the mother still resides at that place with her son, John P. She was born June 3, 1820, a daughter of Frederick and Christine (Stitzer) Katherman, who were natives of Union county, Penn., where they died at an early age. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Yearick, George and Elizabeth (Loher) Rockey, were also natives of Union county, where the grandfather extensively engaged in milling and became quite wealthy. John L. Rockey was twice married, his first wife in her maidenhood being Miss Mary a. Rule, of Union county, and to them was born a daughter, Mary A., the deceased wife of Samuel Himmelright, a lumber merchant of Lewisburg, Penn. By his second union Mr. Rockey had seven children, namely: Sarah K., who died at the age of six years; Jane E., the wife of our subject; George H., an agriculturist of Zion; Rebecca A., the wife of Christian Dicker, also a farmer of Zion; John P., a farmer of the same place; and William, a farmer of Boalsburg, Centre county. The parents of these children were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics the father was a Democrat. He was a self-made man in the truest sense of the term, but by industry and good management became quite wealthy. Mr. Yearick uses his right of franchise in support of Democratic principles, and takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, giving his aid to all worthy enterprises which will advance the welfare of the community. He is one of the leading and influential citizens of Marion township, and enjoys the confidence and high regard of all with whom he comes in contact. In religious faith he holds membership with the Reformed Church. 1880 Jacksonville, Centre County census - Nathaniel H. Yearick, 29 Jane Yearick, 28 John H. Yearick,, 6 Charles N. Yearick 3 Infant Yearick 3/12