From the Mount Kisco Recorder:

• 18 Mar 1887 – Alexander Yerks hosts a “Japanese Surprise Social”
• 27 Jan1888 – Alexander Yerks and the Chappaqua Baptist Church hosts a “Donkey Socialable”
• 11 Jan 1889 – The Mount Kisco Recorder calls for his recognition of service to his Country.  He spent three years fighting for the North during the Civil War.
• 21 Jan 1889 – Cassius Yerks, Alexander’s son, left the Chappaqua Shoe Factory and took a position with a shoe Factory in Lynn, Massachusetts.
• 18 Jan 1889 – Alexander Yerks made signifiant improvements to his property, formally used as a Wheelwright Shop.
• 19 Apr 1889 – Alexander Yerks opens his new Grocery Store.
• 5 Dec 1890 – Just 15 days before the fire, the I.O.G.T  (possibly the International Order of Good Templars) voted to change Yerks’ Hall into a “Lodge Room”.

Near Conflagration Almost Destroys Chappaqua Just Before Christmas
Published int he Mount Kisco Recorder on December 26, 1890

The little village of Chappaqua was the scene of great excitement early on Saturday morning last, about 2 o’clock when the shrill whistle of the shoe factory woke the people of to the fact that there was a dangerous fire raging on Greeley Avenue, opposite the Harlem Railroad Depot. The property in flames was the store occupied by Mr. Alexander Yerks as a grocery store, (in which the fire first started) and from which it soon spread to the dwelling house north of it, occupied by Mr. Perry Quick and Mr. Wesley Smalley and their families.

The fire was first discovered by Mr. Ed Quinby, who was returning home from a social party, when he saw a bright light in Yerks’s store, and ran with haste to the spot to see what was the matter. He soon found that a serious fire had begun, and he immediately rushed around and alarmed several men, among them of the shoe factory the engineer, Charles Bouton. The latter at once dressed himself in a hurry, and rushed to the shoe factory building, entered the engineering room, and gave the alarm all over the village by blowing the steam whistle. While the villagers were arousing and dressing, Bouton raked the fire under the boiler and got more steam up, and then started the big steam pump that is kept for fire purposes. Soon others came to his assistance and they attached hose to the pump, and in a short time a stream of water was playing on the factory building to keep it from catching fire.

Then attention was given to the burning buildings across the street, and water was poured on the adjoining buildings to keep the fire from spreading. The Yerks building was now a mass of flames, burning embers flying in the air, and being carried by the wind in various directions, but mostly eastward to the main street up Chappaqua hill.

Messrs. Smalley and Quick had been aroused at an early period of the fire, and managed to get all their furniture out of the house. Their clothing however was consumed and they only saved what they had put on most hurriedly on being first awakened to their danger. The house was only 15 feet from the store.

The blazing sparks flew to Mr. Rem. Farrington’s barn, Mr. Thomas Young’s blacksmith shop, and eastward across the main street, to the Union Church, which at one time was in great danger from the flying and flaming embers. Indeed, nearly all the houses around there may be said to have been saved by good luck and providence, for the blazing sparks and pieces of burning shingles and wood were found next morning in all the dooryards of the houses nearby. The damage to Mr. Thomas Young’s shop was slight, being only about $15 or $20; and to Mr. Harrington’s bar, a little less.

But it was an anxious time for Chappaqua, until the fire was finally extinguished, and everybody felt safe to leave the scene and returned home. Had the fire occurred the night before, when the wind raged so fiercely, nearly all night, there is no telling where the fire would have stopped. Indeed, as it was, if it had not been for the fortunate discovery of the conflagration by Mr. Ed Quinby, half of Chappaqua would, no doubt, have been wiped out.

The insurance on Mr. Yerks’s building was $1000 with $100 more on store fixtures and $900 on groceries stock; but as Mr. Yerks had been closing out the business, it is probably that he didn’t have more than 200 or $300 worth of stock on hand.

The dwelling house next door, was owned by Mr. E. M. Van Tassel, of New York City, and was insured for $1000.

This is the third time that fire has broken out in Mr. Yerk’s store, and it has been a complete success at last. But for the vigilant and untiring efforts of the shoe factory people—including Mr. H. W. Bischoff and all the local resident workman—the blacksmith shop of Mr. Thomas Young, and doubtless other property would have been sacrificed by the flames.

Commentary of the Near Conflagration
Published int he Mount Kisco Recorder on December 26, 1890

If it had not been for “that nuisance siren” (the factory whistle) the loss to property would have been much greater. When the whistle is heard in the night no one stops to ask “what is the matter?”

No, we are not ready to spare the factory whistle yet. The wind was blowing quite hard from the Northeast and carried sparks a long distance, and in one or two instances set roofs afire, but they were closely watched and extinguished. Both buildings were insured.

This fire once more reminds us of the need of some means of extinguishing fires in the village. There is nothing except the hose at the factory, and that is of use only nearby, and there is no water of any account right in the village.

If a pipe could be laid from Greeley’s pond and two or three hydrants placed in the village, we would have an effective fire extinguisher.

The Lodge of good Templars lost all their furniture and regalia at the fire last Saturday morning. It is thought the loss will be about $50. It is reported that there are several new houses to be built on the site of those which were burned. That is just what we need in this place—small houses at reasonable rents.

Summary

Sometime between the 1891 and 1900, Alexander and his entire family left Chappaqua and head North to Lynn, Massachusetts.  His son Cassius, has moved to Lynn in 1889 to take a position in a shoe factory there.  You can’t help but wonder whether Alexander Yerks had worn out his stay… especially after THREE fires in his store.  There is NO mention of him in Mount Kisco Recorder after the fire. Alexander Yerks died in Lynn, Massachusetts on November 21, 1909.

Last week, I acquired two important dates of Deaths for William Townsend Yerks and Emeline Schenck.  They came to me by way of Kim at the Onondaga County Public Library.  They hold a copy of the Birth, Marriage and Death indexes for the State of New York. “Wm T Yerks” died on August 12, 1900.  Emeline Schenck died  on March 4, 1939.  So armed with that information, I headed over to the Town Clerks office in Bedford, where they both died,  in search of the details reported on their Death Certificates.  The Town Clerk informed me that it may take about an hour or so to do the research and get everything typed up, so I decided to head over to the Mount Kisco Library to see what I could find on Microfilm about their deaths.

The Mount Kisco Library holds an incomplete set of microfilms for the “Mount Kisco Record” for the years of 1914 to 1940.  So that  prevented me from finding any obituary for William Townsend Yerks.  But I was quickly able to find one for Emeline Schenck. It provided me with the best proof yet that the information on the death certificate was erroneous.  I’ve highlighted the more interesting research points below.

Mrs Emeline Schenck.

Mrs Emeline Schenck, widow of Benjamin Schenck, died last Saturday night at her home in Bedford Hills in her 82 year.  She had been a resident of Bedford Hills for many years and was well known.  She was born in Chestnut Ridge, the daughter of the late Townsend and Lucinda Hadden Yerkes.

She is survived by two daughters, Miss Ella M Schenck and Mrs M McGuhy of Bedford Hills; three sons, William B Schenck of Cranston, RI, Albert Vanderoef, a son by a former marriage and Lewis Schenck, both of Bedford Hills, and a brother, George O Yerks of Brooklyn.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 from her late residence, the Rev. J. C. Coddington, pastor of the Bedford Hills Methodist Church, officiating.  The internment was in Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Kisco.

So this might not be a primary source of information, but it is the best confirmation yet that the parents of George Oakley Yerks were indeed Lucinda and William Townsend Yerks.  Of course, it is still possible that George was adopted, but it does now seem that the information collected on the Death Certificate did not come from any knowledgable source. Perhaps, William B Yerks, the son listed as the provider of information on the Death Certificate, provided the only information known to him at the time.  Remember, William Benjamin Yerks was only nine when his grandfather died and sixteen when his grandmother died.  So it is possible that he did not know who his grandfather was.  And maybe he heard someone call his grandmother by a nickname…  perhaps “L.C.”…. short for Lucinda.  And maybe he heard it as “Elsie”.

When I got back to the Town Clerks Office, I had the information from the two death records waiting for me which confirmed much of my research.

William Townsend Yerks Death Certificate Information

• Registered number: 412
• Date Death: August 12, 1900
• Name of Deceased: Wm. T. Yerks
• Age: 73 years, 7 months, 28 days
• Married
• Occupation:
• Birthplace : Pleasantville
• Father’ s nane and Birthplace: Wm. Yerks Pleasantville
• Mother’ s name and Birthplace: Marie Yerks Pleasantville
• Place of Death: Bedford Station
• Cause of Death: Chronic Heart Disease
• Medical Attendant: C. F. Chapman
• Place Burial: Middle Patent

Emeline Yerks Schenck Death Certificate Information

• Registered number: 10
• Name: Emeline Schenck
• Residence: Bedford Road, Bedford Hills,NY
• Sex: Female Color or Race: White, Widow
• Name of Husband: Benjamin Schenck
• Date of Birth: Dec. 15, 1857
• Age: 81 years,  2 months, 19 days
• Housewife
• occupation:
• Birthplace: Chestnut Ridge, NY
• Father: Townsend Yerks Birthplace: Westchester Co., NY
• Mother: Lucinda Hadden Birthplace: Westchester Co., NY
• Place of Burial: 0akwood, Mt. Kisco, NY on Mar.7, 1939
• Date Death: March 4, 1939
• Cause of Death: Carcinoma of Pancreas, Carcinoma of Liver, Anemia – Secondary: Myocarditis, chronic

In addition to confirming my research, I also learned that William Townsend Yerks was buried in the Middle Patent Rural Cemetery in Bedford.  This cemetery is closer to the area know as Chestnut Ridge in North Castle and further away from Bedford Hills where he was living.  I went to Middle Patent Cemetery in search of his grave, but could find nothing.  So I called the caretaker.  She did not find his burial in the main record set, but did find him listed in a set of records defined as “unrecorded”.  According to the caretaker, a survey of the cemetery was done in 1914 in which several previously undocumented graves were discovered.  The first name and date match William T Yerks, but the last name had several question marks replacing letters on it.  This leads me to conclude that the grave marker was basically unreadable in 1914, just 14 years after his death.  So it would be next to impossible to find his burial place today.

Several years ago, I came across a record at the Find-A-Grave website that listed a William Yerks being buried at “Potter’s Field” in Valhalla.  It gave no date of birth or date of death.  So, stuck at a brick research wall,  I decided to write to the Westchester County Archives to see if they would have any additional information about the people buried at Potter’s field.

There is a William yerks buried in Potters Field in Valhalla.  Can you tell me whether there are any records for Potters Field that might provide me with date of death or other info? Apparently he is buried in Row I , a double grave that is shared with Isaac Stokes .

If you think you may have records, I will come down from Connecticut  to research him if necessary.

Thanks.

Phil Hayes

A short time later Jackie, from the County Archives, wrote back to me.

Hi Phil,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. We have very little on Potters Field, unfortunately. As it was connected to the county Almshouse, that would be the place to look. From the index, I see there was a William Yerks who passed away in the Almshouse in 1876. He was from Mount Pleasant, and was 75 years old. If that sounds like your man, you are welcome to come in to see the record; we’re open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9-4. The amount of information is in these Almshouse records varies, some are very sketchy, and some have a decent amount of detail. It depends on who was keeping the records.

Jackie

I was already interested in the Almshouse because Armenia Yerks, daughter  of the William Yerks that I was looking for, showed up in the 1900 Census there. Now I also had a William Yerks who was within the same age range as the one I was looking for.

So yesterday, I once again made the trip to the Archives in Elmsford,NY.  Jackie immediately remembered me and my request.  She quickly guided me to an index that was compiled by a volunteer that lists the names of “inmates” of the Almshouse Institution. I immediately recognized several names in the index.

Some of the microfilms that held the records were missing, so Jackie brought out the original ledgers for the first couple of records I wanted to looked up.  I was allowed to photograph the records I was interested in.  I printed the others from the Microfilm viewer/printer.  Here is a summary of what I discovered.

William Yerks.

William Yerks was a 75 year old male who was admitted to the Almshouse on May 5, 1876.  It lists him as a widower, but I believe that is simply an error.  He and his father were listed as being born in Mount Pleasant which would be consistent with my research.  The “habits” of him, his father and mother were “temperate”, meaning they were not big drinkers.  His father’s occupation was a farmer.  He has three living children who were all “self supporting”.  His existing cause of dependance is listed as “Destitution.  He has been receiving public “out-door” support for about three years prior to being admitted.  It goes on to indicate that a brother and daughter have also been aided.  William died on September 17, 1876, just four months after entering the poor house.

Summary: William’s age would make him born in 1801, which is the exact year we have recorded in our research. In my opinion, there is no doubt that this is the William Yerks I have been looking for and that he is most likely the one buried at Potter’s field.  His destitute situation explains why I have not found him buried at any of the normal Yerks burial places.  A death date of 1876 would explain why he does not appear in the 1880 US Census.

Mariah Yerks

Mariah (Maria) Yerks is a 76 year old female who was admitted to the Almshouse on May 12, 1878 because she was sick and most likely could not afford care at the nearby hospital.  She was born in Greenburg, New York and is now listed as a widow.  Her occupation was a housekeeper and her father was a farmer. This Mariah supposedly has six living children, which would make it inconsistent with the information we have about her.  This information could simply be a mis-interpretation of the question.  Apparently she was so sick that she was unable to perform any manual labor.  But according to the records, she was discharged just six days later.

Summary: I am pretty sure that this Mariah is the Maria, wife of the William Yerks mentioned above.  Since there are no other “Maria” Yerks found anywhere in the Census prior to 1878, the likelihood that this is her is 99%. The age of this Mariah, places her birth year directly inline with other research I have performed. However, there is some more research that needs to be done. For instance, I have found a  Maria Yerks in the 1880 US Census, b. circa 1806, living in Staten Island with a Charles and Mary Yerks.  This 1880 Census record indicates that Maria is the mother of Charles. As far as I know, our Maria Yerks did not have a son name Charles.  But this move to Staten Island, would explain the May 18, 1878 discharge from the Almshouse.

Ezra Yerks

Widower Ezra Yerks, 57 years old, was admitted to the Almshouse on September 18, 1893.  The reason for his admittance was that he was sick. He was born in Pleasantville, NY.  He was able to read and write and his occupation was a shoemaker.  His parents are listed as deceased and he had one living sister.  Ezra Yerks died on November 12,1893.

Summary: I believe this Ezra to be the fourth son of William and Maria Yerks.  His age matches +/- 2 years to the Ezra I have been researching.  He died in 1893 which explains his disappearance from the Census after 1880. The things that makes me wonder is about his marital status.  The Almshouse record indicates that he was a widower.  According to the 1880 Census, he was single at the age of  43.  Again, this could simply be a clerical mistake, or maybe he got married at a later age.

Ethel Armenia Yerks

Ethel Armenia Yerks is a young child who was originally admitted to the Westchester Almshouse on September 4th, 1896 because of “Destitution”.  She was born in Eastview, NY.  Both parents are living and she has no brothers or sisters.  The record also indicated that her mother is at the same facility.  In fact, a comment in the remarks section indicates that she is the child of Theresa Yerks, above.

Summary: I was initially very excited because I thought I had found the Armenia Yerks that was mentioned in the 1900 Census.  But after closely looking at the age of this person, it was clear they were not the same person.  But the story does not end there….  see the summary for Theresa below.

Theresa Yerks

Theresa Yerks is a twenty year old female who was married when she was admitted on 26 Aug 1896.  She was a house wife that was able to read and write.  Her father was a shoemaker.  The reason that she was admitted to the Almshouse was that she was destitute and pregnant.  There are two interesting notes made on her chart. The first is “Notify Richard Nolan of Bedford Station”.  The second is in regards to her discharge on July 6, 1899.  This note indicates that she was “Taken to home of Refuge for Woman at Hudson”.

Summary: I couldn’t figure out who this Theresa was.  I had never heard of her before.  So I decided to see if I could find a Theresa Yerks in Census records at Ancestry.com.  Within a few keystrokes, I quickly came up with a Theresa Yerks in the 1910, 1920 and 1930 Census married to an Edward F Yerks (b. abt 1875).  William Townsend Yerks, son of the William Yerks mentioned above, had a son “Eddie” who I lost track of after the 1880 Census.  It is now clear to me that Eddie Yerks married this Theresa and got back together with her when he could.  This would explain why the daughters middle name was that of his fathers sister.  With a quick query at Fulton Postcards New York Newspaper web site, I found the disturbing story behind Theresa’s admittance to the Almshouse which confirms my research above.

Conclusion

It looks like this branch of the Yerks family tree fell on hard and desperate times between 1870 and 1900.  The family had begun to spread out throughout Westchester County, away from the traditional Yerks homesteads located in Mount Pleasant, New York.  Remembering that there were no telephones and mail took days to be delivered, I believe it was difficult for family members to know about their relatives needs.  And even if they did know, the distances between locations and travel times made it extremely difficult to help each other out.  It is sad to know that a Yerks family member is buried at Potter’s field, but I am relieved to know finally what happened to the family as a whole back then.  All this being considered, there are still numerous questions which may never be answered.

John Cutler 1828 – 1850
Cornelius Cutler 1833 –
Amy Cutler 1834 –
Cyrus Cutler 1836 – 1918
George Washington Cutler 1836 –
Araminta Cutler 1838 – 1855
Julia Cutler 1842 –
Stephen Cutler 1842 – 1865
Nathaniel Cutler 1844 –

According to the recently discovered bio, I have learned that his father was John Cutler and comes from old Westchester County stock. The Cutlers apparently are of English origin.  Nathaniel is buried at the St Marks Episcopal Church Yard in Mount Kisco with his wife. I have been there many times.

The biography has been transcribed from a document entitled, “Biographical History of Westchester County”.  This illustrated document was published by the Lewis Publishing Company in 1899.

One of the leading agriculturists of North Castle township, Westchester county, and an honored veteran of the civil war, is Nathaniel Cutler, who was born December 21, 1844, in that township, being a representative of one of the county’s old and highly respected families of English origin. His grandfather, John Cutler, was likewise a native of the county, and here both he and his wife died and were buried.

Nathaniel Cutler, Sr., father of our subject, spent his entire life in Westchester county, as a farmer, and in early manhood he married Sarah Ann Weeks, who was born in the town of Somers, and who was likewise a representative of one of the old families of the county, being a daughter of William and Rachel Weeks. Nine children were born of this union: John, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Cornelius and Mrs. Ama Ferguson, both residents of Mount Kisco; Cyrus, of Golden Bridge, this county; George Washington, of Dutchess county. New York; Stephen and Julia, both deceased; Nathaniel, our subject; and Araminta, who died at the age of nineteen years. Three of the sons were among the boys in blue during the civil war and valiantly fought for the preservation of the Union on many a southern battle-field. They were Cyrus, George W. and Nathaniel, — all members of the Fifth New York Heavy Artillery, — and the second was sergeant of his company, while our subject served as corporal. The mother of these children died at the age of seventy and the father at the age of eighty years. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were highly esteemed by all who knew them, and he was identified with the Democratic party.

Nathaniel Cutler, whose name introduces this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm, aiding in its work and attending the local schools. He was still in his ‘teens when he entered the military service of his country, and was stationed most of the time in Virginia, being honorably discharged at Harper’s Ferry and paid off at Albany, New York, after which he returned home.

On the 28th of December, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Ida Sutton, who was born, reared and educated at Claverack, New York, and also belongs to one of the old and well known families of the county. At an early day two brothers, Joseph and John Sutton, left their home at Sutton Court, England, and came to the New World, and from the former, who settled in Westchester county, Mrs. Cutler is descended. In religious faith they were Friends. James Sutton, Sr. , the son of Joseph, was born in a log cabin on the old homestead in this county, and was the father of Walter Sutton, Mrs. Cutler’s grandfather, who also was born on the old homestead and was twice married, —first to Martha Tatten and secondly to Phoebe Dickinson. James T. Sutton, Mrs. Cutler’s father, first opened his eyes to the light on the Sutton homestead, and on reaching man’s estate he married his second cousin, Phoebe Sutton, a daughter of William Sutton, who was a brother of James Sutton, Sr., and a son of Joseph Sutton, the pioneer. William Sutton married Charlotte Hunt, a daughter of Josiah and Lydia (Palmer) Hunt, relatives of Lord Effingham, of England. To James T. and Phoebe Sutton were born two children. Mrs. Martha Ida Cutler being the older. The son, William Edward Sutton, now. a resident of Seattle, Washington, was reared and educated in Westchester county, and was a successful teacher here for a time, but has made his home in the west for several years. He married Eva Acker, a daughter of Benjamin Acker. James T. Sutton, who was a farmer by occupation and a Democrat in politics, died at the age of seventy-nine years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His estimable wife, who was a member of the Society of Friends, departed this life at the age of seventy-two.

To Mr. and Mrs. Cutler have been born two sons: Walter Sutton, a surveyor and engineer residing at home, and William Edward, a carpenter, also at home. The fine farm belonging to this worthy couple comprises seventy-two acres of valuable land, most of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings, and there is also an excellent orchard of six acres upon the place. This pleasant home is conveniently located in New Castle township, about two miles from Mount Kisco. Politically, Mr. Cutler is identified with the Republican party, and socially affiliates with Stuart Hart Post, G. A. R. , of Mount Kisco, of which he is a charter member. With his wife and son,William E., he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and the family occupy a position of prominence in the social life of the community. Public-spirited and enterprising, they give their support to all worthy objects calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of their town and county, and they are held in high regard by all who know them.

Here is a link to a full PDF version of “Biographical History of Westchester County”.

On June 6, 1917, Ralph Yerks was enlisted and reported to Fort Slocum in New York City. Fort Slocum, was a US military base occupying Davids’ Island and Hart Island at the western end of Long Island Sound. There he was assigned to Company K of the 9th Infantry Regiment.  Once overseas, the 9th Infantry joined the 2nd Infantry Division.

In World War I, The 2nd Infantry Division was first constituted on 21 September 1917. It was organized on 26 October 1917 at Bourmont, Haute Marne, France.  At the time of its activation, the Indianhead Division was composed of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, which included the 9th Infantry Regiment (which Ralph Yerks was a part of) and the 23rd Infantry Regiment; the 4th Marine Brigade, which consisted of the 5th Marine Regiment, the 6th Marine Regiment and the the 6th Machine Gun Battalion; a battalion of field artillery; and various supporting units. Twice during World War I the division was commanded by US Marine Corps generals, Brigadier General Charles A. Doyen and Major General John A. Lejeune, the only time in U.S. Military history when Marine Corps officers commanded an Army division.

After arriving in France, Ralph and the rest of division spent the winter of 1917–1918 training with French Army veterans. Though judged unprepared by French tacticians, the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) was committed to combat in the spring of 1918 in a desperate attempt to halt a German advance toward Paris. The 2nd Infantry Division drew its first blood in the nightmare landscape of the Battle of Belleau Wood and contributed to shattering the four-year-old stalemate on the battlefield during the Château-Thierry campaign that followed.

On September 12, US General John J. Pershing,  the AEF, including the 2^nd Infantry Division, and 48,000 French troops  marched on Saint-Mihiel.   The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was fought between September 12–15, 1918.  The battle marked the first use of the terms ‘D-Day’ and ‘H-Hour’ by the Americans.

The attack at the St. Mihiel Salient was part of a plan by Pershing in which he hoped that the United States would break through the German lines and capture the fortified city of Metz. It was one of the first U.S. solo offensives in World War I and the attack caught the Germans in the process of retreating. Hence, their artillery was out of place and the Americans were more successful than they otherwise would have been. It was a strong blow by the U.S., nevertheless, and increased their stature in the eyes of the French and British forces. However, this battle again illustrated the critical role of artillery during World War I and the difficulty of supplying the massive World War I armies while they were on the move. The U.S. attack faltered after outdistancing their artillery and food supplies, as muddy roads made support difficult. The attack on Metz was not realized, as the Germans refortified their positions and the Americans then turned their efforts to the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

The weather leading up to the battle was bad.  There was heavy driving wind and rain. The roads were very muddy. This posed a significant challenge to the Americans when the order to advance was given. On some parts of the road, the men were almost knee-deep in mud and water. After five days of rain, the ground was nearly impassible to both the American tanks and infantry. Many of the tanks were wrecked with water leakage into the engine, while others would get stuck in mud flows. Some of the infantrymen developed early stages of trench foot, even before the trenches were dug. Many died of pneumonia before ever firing a shot.

One of the reasons attributed to the Americans successes in this campaign was the audacity of the small unit commanders on the battlefield. Unlike other officers that commanded their soldiers from the rear, Colonel Patton and his subordinates led their men from the front lines. They believed that a commander’s personal control of the situation would help ease the chaos of the battlefield

On September 13, the second day of battle, Ralph Yerks was killed in in action.  So far I have not been able to find any details of how he was killed.  I do know he is buried in Plot C, Row 8, Grave 36  of the St. Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiaucourt, France.

The American’s eventually won the battle and on 11 November 1918, just one month after Ralph Yerks was “Killed in Action”,  the Armistice was declared and the war ended.

The 2nd Infantry Division marched into Germany, without Ralph, and performed occupation duties until April 1919. The 2nd Infantry Division returned to U. S. in July 1919.

Ralph is remembered on the Rye War Memorial located in the center of town with his brother, William Benjamin Yerks, who was mistakenly reported as “Killed In Action” also.

Craft Memorial Home, Inc.
40 Leicester St. Port Chester, NY
(914) 939-0131

John W Yerks

Thanks to research done by David Yerks (a descendant of John W Yerks) of California, we have pretty much solidified this branch of the family tree.  There are not too many mysteries left here. We even recently found his gravestone in Pleasantville.

Ezra Yerks

According to Census records, Ezra Yerks is the brother of William Townsend Yerks, John F. Yerks and Armenia Yerks.  The 1880 Census indicate that there were two Ezra Yerks that inhabited New Castle in 1880.  One was listed as single (b. 1837) and living with the Wright family as a servant on a farm in Chappaqua. The other Ezra Yerks (b. 1830), was listed as married at the time, but his wife was not listed in the Census with him. So that may be a mistake.   Living with the second Ezra was his brother Joseph, father John and mother Fanny.  I found a gravestone in Palmer Cemetery in Pleasantville that shows a 62 year old Ezra Yerks who died in 1890, so I decided to do some research on him.

First, someone had already added him to Find-A-Grave
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=21078161

His obit (below) offers little help except that he managed Mr. Cowdins Farm in Chappaqua.

There is another article that mentions how a box with lots of money and valuables was found under his bed when he died.

This articles indicates that this Ezra Yerks was a bachelor, “so of course the money would go to his bother and sister”.  So, at age 62, that would most likely make him the second Ezra Yerks from above. But if Ezra was indeed a bachelor, than maybe he was Ezra Yerks, the brother of William Townsend.  I did contact the poster of the Find-A-Grave memorial to see what she knows.  Right now, I guess I would have to say that the Ezra Yerks who died in 1890 is NOT the brother of William Townsend Yerks, but maybe time will tell otherwise.

Armenia Yerks

Armenia Yerks is the daughter of Maria and William Yerks, born around 1835.  The 1880 Census shows Armenia Yerks (b. 1830) to be living with Charles Carpenter.  It indicates that Armenia is the Aunt of the head of household. This would mean that Charles Carpenter would have to be the son of  one of Armenia’s sisters.  The problem is that as far as I knew, Armenia was the only daughter of Maria and William Yerks.    I am sure there is a connection here, I just have to figure it out..

Then the 1900 Census shows Armenia to be in an “Almshouse” with lots of other woman. From Wikipedia: “Almshouses are charitable housing provided to enable people (typically elderly people who can no longer work to earn enough to pay rent) to live in a particular community”. Also: “A building of residence for the poor, sick or elderly of a parish. Originally founded by the Church. Usually a charity relying on donations for funding”.

Ira F. Yerks

Here is another mystery.  Who is the Ira F Yerks that appears in the 1870 Census with William and Maria?  Maria would have to have been 59 when she delivered him, if she was his mother.  It would seem more likely that he would be the son of Ezra or Armenia, but as far as we know, neither had children.  There are two Ira Yerks living in the area in 1900.  The first (b. 1864) is listed as a boarder with the Birdsall family in Bedford.  The second (b. May 1863) is living with a Jared and Julia Dann in Pound Ridge.  He is listed as a son-in-law, making him the sister of Julia.

To make things more confusing, I found two newspaper articles that mention the name Ira Yerks.

• A Mr. and Mrs. Ira Yerks of Mount Kisco “Spent Sunday with their Aunt, Mrs. Hannah Lawrence” according to an 1888 Newspaper article.

• A September 1887 newspaper article states that a Ira Yerks “went to Newark last Monday to begin work”

Summary….

You would think that with all the information out there about the Yerks Families in Westchester, it would be easier finding information on this branch of the family tree.  It’s not.  Chances are that they were poor and did not appear as much in the public eye as other branches of the Yerks family tree have because of that.  The only grave I have found so far is that of John W Yerks.  He is in the same cemetery as the Ezra Yerks above.

James L Yerks Sr (b. 21 May 1912 in Goldens Bridge, NY; d. 1 Oct 2007 in Cos Cob, CT)
James L Yerks Jr (b. 5 Nov 1892 in Mt. Kisco, NY; d. 20 Apr 20, 1973 in Cos Cob, CT)
James L Yerks III (Living)
James L Yerks IV (Living)