Legislator Details


William Yerkes
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 42

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 9/29/1794
City: Moorland, PA
County: Montgomery County, PA
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 1/5/1884
City: Novi, MI
County: Oakland County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 1/7/1884
City: Novi, MI
County: Oakland County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery:

Marital Information:
married Hester Dennis 11/5/1817 in Romulus, NY; children: 8; Joseph D., John, Robert, Charles, William P, Silas A., Stephen, George and Harrison

Number of Children: 8

Background

Religion: Presbyterian
Military Service:
Occupation: cooper, boatman, farmer
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:

Biographical Sketch:
Of German ancestry. Son of Joseph and Mary (Purdy) Yerkes. At age 6, his family moved to Seneca County, NY. He was a cooper and later a boatman on the Mohawk River and Erie Canal. Moved to the Novi area of Michigan, then called Farmington, in 1826 from Ovid, NY. He travelled on foot, with a companion for 14 days. His family followed via boat, landing in Detroit. Served as judge of probate, supervisor (1834 and 1835 and an additional 5 years after statehood) and justice of the peace.

Notable Facts:
He was the first legislator elected from the Novi area in 1837. He built the first frame house and barn in Novi township.

Sessions Served:

Nineteenth Legislature, 1857-1858
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Agriculture and Manufactures
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Northwell
County of Residence Oakland
District: Oakland 4
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/4/1856
Date Sworn In: 1/7/1857
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Second Legislature, 1837
Chamber: House
Party: Whig
Committees Served On: Unfinished Business, Indian Affairs
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Novi
County of Residence Oakland
District: Oakland
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/7/1836
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1837
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:

Bibliography:

MIBiog 2:481; Pontiac Gazette 1/11/1884 p.1 col.6; USCen 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880; Durant (O) p.231, col.2; Chapman (O) pp.316-17
View Bibliographical Sources