William L. Yancey. The various items in the career of William L. Yancey show that he is one of Champaign County’s farmers who have made more than an ordinary success, and that while acquiring material prosperity he has not neglected those public interests which claim his attention in common with all good citizens. Though he started life comparatively a poor man, he now has a farm in Mahomet Township which is easily among the best in that section. He is a native son of Champaign County and his record is such that everywhere his word is considered as good as his bond.
His birth occurred June 19, 1864. He was the younger of two children, his only sister being now deceased. His parents were Laten and Margaret (Everett) Yancey. His father was born in Lewis County, Kentucky, was reared and educated there, and was an early day arrival in Champaign County. He made settlement near the old Middletown post office, now Mahomet, and industriously pursued the career of farmer there the rest of his days. His remains now rest in the Riverside Cemetery, and his wife is also deceased. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat, a member of the Masonic order and both he and his wife were active in the Baptist Church. The Yancey family has long been identified with American history, and some of the earlier members served with credit as soldiers in the Revolutionary War.
William L. Yancey grew up on his father’s farm in Champaign County and attended the Mahomet schools. When about nineteen years of age he started out to achieve his own success in life, and being without cash capital he made his start as a renter. Later he married, and with the aid of a competent wife has made a complete success. His first purchase of land was 153 acres, thirty-five acres in Newcomb Township and the rest in Mahomet. Mr. Yancey has managed his farming activities in a way to bring prosperity and to serve as a stimulating example in the handling of a farm. He has always taken just pride in his blooded sheep, and that is one of the chief features of his farm. The various improvements on his farm have been made by his own efforts.
Mr. Yancey married Miss Kate Scott. Of their three children, one son and two daughters, two are living. Harlow, the only son, was educated in the Mahomet High School and is a practical agriculturist now in charge of his father’s farm. He is independent in politics and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Mahomet. Wilma, the only surviving daughter, is a graduate of the Mahomet public schools and was successfully engaged in teaching in this county before her marriage to Mr. Guy Jones. Mr. Jones is an expert automobile mechanic and lives in Mahomet Township. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Baptist Church.
Mrs. Yancey was born in Mahomet Township and she has a twin sister, Sarah, now living in St. Louis. Mrs. Yancey was educated in the common schools and is an active member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Yancey is a Democrat in national affairs, but has very frequently exercised his choice of candidate according to the dictates of his personal judgment. The local schools have always received a generous share of his time and attention, and for a number of years he acted as director of the school in Newcomb Township. He has passed all the chairs in the lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mahomet and is a member of the Court of Honor. He has long held the position of deacon in the Baptist Church, and has cordially supported every worthy movement of benevolence and the general welfare of his community.