FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY
Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr.
3rd of 8 children of George Yates & Elizabeth Harrington
Born: Mar 18, 1809, New York City, New York
Died: Aug 21, 1872 (age 63), San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Buried: Aug 23, 1872, Oak Hil Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Occupation: Stationary and book dealer, clerk, ran a drugstore, Postmaster in San Jose, California
Politics: San Jose City Council, city clerk & tax assessor; San Jose City Treasurer, Santa Clara County Supervisor
Married (1): Jun 20, 1836, Harriet Barton, St. Joseph Co., Michigan
Thirteen children (five known): Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr., Sierra Nevada Yates, Jessie Yates, Martin Huffman Yates, Hattie Yates
Married (2): 1871/72, Lizzie (mnu) Drew, California
Harriet Barton
Daughter of unknown
Born: abt 1818, New York
Died: Feb 25, 1871 (age 52-53), San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Buried: Feb 27, 1871, Oak Hil Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Married: Jun 20, 1836, Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr., St. Joseph Co., Michigan
Thirteen children (five known): Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr., Sierra Nevada Yates, Jessie Yates, Martin Huffman Yates, Hattie Yates
1. Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr.
Born: Mar 31, 1836, White Pigeon, St. Joseph Co., Michigan
Died: Feb 11, 1893 (age 56), San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; dropsy
Buried: Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Occupation: Printer, writer, published the San Jose Saturday Advertiser
Married: Sep 12, 1865, Margaret Elizabeth Lilley, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
No children
(Margaret Elizabeth Lilley: both parents born in Ireland
Born: Oct 1844, England
Died: Nov 23, 1919 (age 74), San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Buried: Nov 25, 1919, Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Emigrated: 1860 from Ireland
Occupation: Music teacher
Married: Sep 12, 1865, Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr., San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
No children)
2. Sierra Nevada Yates (female)
Born: Oct 1850, California
Died: Feb 1, 1851 (age 5 mos), Sacramento, Sacramento Co., California
Buried: Sacramento City Cemetery, Sacramento, Sacramento Co., California; Plot 11, 79 (unmarked grave)
3. Jessie Yates (female)
Born: 1853, California
Died: Dec 3, 1855 (age 2), San Francisco, California
Buried: original burial place unkn
Re-interred: Feb 24, 1872, Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
4. Martin Huffman Yates
Born: 1855, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Died: Feb 26, 1898 (age 42), Fresno, Fresno Co., California; consumption
Buried: Feb 28, 1898, Fresno County Cemetery #1, Fresno, Fresno Co., California
Occupation: Telephone operator, clerk, typesetter, compositor for Siguere Bros. & Co., telegraphic stationmaster for Southern Pacific, musician/piano player
Married: Dec 26, 1874, Josephine Cecille Des Granges, Redwood City, San Mateo Co., California
(note: lived in Mayfield, Santa Clara Co., California)
Four children: Alice Josephine Yates, Martin/Matthew Loweree/Lawree Yates, Marie Yates, Josephine Maria Yates
(Josephine Cecille Des Granges:
Only child of the Marquise Auguste Des Granges & Marie Rose Haine
Born: May 10, 1858, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania
Died: Jul 5, 1884 (age 26), San Francisco, California; in childbirth with 3rd child, Josephine
Buried: Jul 7, 1884, Oddfellows Cemetery in San Francisco, California; her remains were moved bet 1931-1933 to Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma, San Mateo Co., California)
Married: Dec 26, 1874, Martin Huffman Yates, Redwood City, San Mateo Co., California
Three children: Alice Josephine Yates, Martin/Matthew Loweree/Lawree Yates, Josephine Maria Yates
5. Hattie Yates
Born: 1861, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Died: Apr 10, 1861, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Buried: Oak Hil Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Note: all but the first child were born in California; only Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr. and Martin Huffman Yates lived to maturity
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Timeline and Records
Spellings and information in census and other records are retained
as reflected in the original documents
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Mar 18, 1809: Birth of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr., son of George Yates & Elizabeth Harrington, New York
abt 1818: Birth of Harriet Barton (parentage unknown), New York
Sep 12, 1935: U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971:
Name Chapman Yates
Post Office Location White Pigeon, St Joseph, Michigan
Appointment Date 12 Sep 1835
Volume Number 12b
Volume Year Range 1832-1844
Mar 31, 1836: Birth of Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr., 1st of 13 children of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in White Pigeon, St. Joseph Co., Michigan
Jun 20, 1836, Marriage of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in St. Joseph Co., Michigan
Jun 20, 1836: Michigan Marriage Record:
Name Chapman Yates
Gender Male
Marriage Date 20 Jun 1836
Marriage Place St Joseph, Michigan, USA
Spouse Harriet Burton
Film Number 001295528
Oct 11, 1937: Constantine Republican, Constantine, St. Joseph Co., Michigan:
Name Chapman Yates
Topic Other
Residence Date 11 Oct 1837
Residence Place Constantine, Michigan, USA
Publication Date 11 Oct 1837
1849: Chapman Leavitt Yates with his wife Harriet (Burton) Yates and young son, Chapman, Jr., set out for California
Jun 20, 1850: U.S. Federal Census, Sacramento, Sacramento Co., California:
Name C Yates (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr)
Gender Male
Race White
Residence Age 41
Birth Date abt 1809
Birthplace New York
Residence Date 1850
Home in 1850 Sacramento, Sacramento, California, USA
Occupation Eating Stand
Industry Eating and Drinking Places
Dwelling Number 533
Household members:
Name Age:
C Yates: Age 41 (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr)
Oct 1850: Birth of Sierra Nevada Yates, daughter of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in California
Nov 16, 1850: U.S. Federal Census, Sacramento, Sacramento Co., California:
Name Harriet Yates
Gender Female
Race White
Residence Age 32
Birth Date abt 1818
Birthplace New York
Residence Date 1850
Home in 1850 Sacramento, Sacramento, California, USA
Dwelling Number 1014
Household Members (Name) Age:
Gunner Churchill: Age 25, Carpenter, born Norway
Harriet Yates: Age 32, female, born New York (wife of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr)
Sierra Nevada Yates: Age 0, female, born California
Chapman Yates: Age 13, male, born Michigan (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Jr)
Feb 1, 1851: Death of Sierra Nevada Yates (age 5 mos), daughter of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in Sacramento, Sacramento Co., California
Feb 1, 1851: California Mortuary and Cemetery Records:
Name Sierra Nevada Yates
Birth Place California
Age 5/12
Birth Date abt 1850
Death Date 1 Feb 1851
Death Place Sacramento, California
Burial Place Sacramento, California
Feb 1, 1851: Burial of Sierra Nevada Yates, Sacramento City Cemetery in Sacramento, Sacramento Co., California; Tier 11, grave 79 (unmarked grave)
Feb 1, 1851: Sacramento City Cemetery: Burial Records (pg 2):
Jul 1852 Census: California State Census, San Francisco, California:
Chap. Yates: Age 42, male, born New York, book dealer (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr.)
Harriet Yates: Age 34, female, born New York
Chap L. Yates: Age 15, male, born Michigan (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Jr.)
1853: Birth of Jessie Yates, daughter of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in California
Dec 3, 1855: Death of Jessie Yates (age 2), daughter of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in San Francisco, California. Original burial place unknown.
Dec 3, 1855: San Francisco, California Death Record:
Name: Jessie Yates
Gender: Female
Death Age: 2
Event Type: Death
Birth Date: abt 1853
Death Date: 3 Dec 1855
Death Place: San Francisco, California, USA
Father: Chapman Yates
Mother: Harriet Yates
Dec 6, 1855: Daily Alta California, San Francisco, California, Deaths:
YATES: At San Jose December 3, Jessie, daughter of Chapman and Harriet Yates, aged 2. Alta
Dec 8, 1855: Daily Evening Bulletin, San Francisco, California Deaths:
YATES: In San Jose Dec. 3, Jessie, daughter of Chapman and Harriet Yates, aged 3. Bull
Oak Hill Cemetery Burials from History San Jose:
Jessie Yates, died in San Francisco, March 26, 1855, buried in Oak Hill Feb. 24, 1872
Note: Her actual death record reflects she was 2 years of age at death, and that she died in San Francisco. The 1st newspaper death notice reports Jessie died at age 2, the second notice reflects age 3, and both report that she died in San Jose. The Oak Hill Cemetery record gives her a death date of March rather than December, and reflects that she died in San Francisco.
1855: Birth of Martin Huffman Yates, son of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Note: the 1876, 1880, 1892, and 1896 California Great Registers list his full name as Martin Huffman Yates
Jun 18, 1860: U.S. Federal Census, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Name Chapman Yates
Age 51
Birth Year abt 1809
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Place New York
Home in 1860 San Jose, Santa Clara, California
Post Office San Jose
Dwelling Number 555
Family Number 41
Real Estate Value 2000
Personal Estate Value 1000
Married Within Year Y
Household Members (Name) Age:
Chapman Yates: Age 51, Merchant, born New York (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr.)
Harriet Yates: Age 42, born New York (Harriet (Barton) Yates)
C L Yates: Age 23, Printer, born Michigan (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Jr.)
Martin H Yates: Age 4, born California (Martin Huffman Yates)
Dan Holley: Age 39, Day Laborer, born New York
1861: Birth of Hattie Yates, daughter of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Apr 10, 1861: Death of Hattie Yates, daughter of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
1861: Burial of Hattie Yates in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; unmarked grave in the Yates family plot, Section E, Block 2, Lot 4
Apr 27, 1861: San Francisco, California Deaths; Newspaper Notice:
YATES, HATTIE: In San Jose, April 10, 1861, Hattie, infant daughter of Chapman and Harriet Yates.
1865: Yates & Yates Books & Stationary and town post office:
Shop of of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. and his son, Chapman Leavitt Yates, Jr.:
(this picture in the San Jose Mercury of June 20, 1941, shows that the printing shop was operating as late as 1865)
Sep 12, 1865: Marriage of Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr. & Margaret Elizabeth Lilley, in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; his 2nd marriage
1866: U.S. Register of Voters; Sant Clara Co., California:
#592 Chapman Yates
Age 56
Birth Year abt 1810
Birth Place New York
Occupation: Book Merchant
City of San Jose
Residence Year 1866
Residence Place Santa Clara Co., California, USA
#593 Chapman Leavitt Yates
Age 28
Birth Year abt 1838
Birth Place Michigan
Occupation: Clerk
City of San Jose
Residence Year 1866
Residence Place Santa Clara Co., California, USA
1867: Pacific Coast Directory:
Name Chapman Yates
Residence Date 1867
Residence Place San Jose, Santa Clara, California, USA
Occupation San Jose city Treasurer
Jun 20, 1870: U.S. Federal Census, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Yates, Chapman T.: age 33, Printer, Value of Real Estate $2,500, Value of Personal Estate $1,500, born Michigan (Chapman “Brett” Leavitt Yates, Jr.)
Yates, Margaret: age 26, Keeping house, born England, father & mother of foreign birth (Margaret Elizabeth (Lilley) Yates)
Jun 20, 1870: U.S. Federal Census, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Yates, Chapman: age 61, Stationary Dealer, Value of Real Estate $3,000, Value of Personal Estate $2,000, born New York (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr.)
Yates, Harriet: age 52, Keeping house, born New York (Harriet (Barton) Yates)
Yates, Martin H: age 15, Telegraph Operator, born California (Martin Huffman Yates)
Wiffin, Josephine: age 8, born California, father & mother of foreign birth
Note: Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. is living next door to his son, Chapman “Brett” Leavitt Yates, Jr.
Feb 25, 1871: Death of Harriet (Barton) Yates (age 52-53), 1st wife of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr., in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Feb 27, 1871: Burial of Harriet (Barton) Yates in Oak Hil Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; Block 2, Sec E, Lot 4, Grave 2
Feb 24, 1872: Re-interment of Jessie Yates, two-year-old daughter of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton, in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; Block 2, Section E, Lot 4 (unmarked grave in the family plot)
1871/72: Marriage of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Lizzie (maiden name unkn) Drew, in California
Note: Lizzie is the Executrix of her husband Chapman Yates’ estate, and is mentioned several times in the settlement papers along with her two minor children: Lizzie M. Drew (age 12 as of Nov 24, 1872) and Frank A. Drew (age 11 as of Nov 24, 1872), which she apparently put up for adoption as per the Will and Probate records on file.
Aug 31, 1872: California Wills and Probate Records:
Aug 31, 1872: California Wills and Probate Records:
Name Chapman Yates
Gender Male
Residence Place San Jose, Santa Clara, California
Will Date 19 Jul 1872
Probate Date 31 Aug 1872
Inferred Death Date 1872
Inferred Death Place California, USA
Case Number 683
Item Description Probate Records, File No 74 15925-74 15945
Item Description Will Books, Vol B-C, 1866-1875
Individuals Listed (Name) Relationship:
Chapman Yates
Lizzie Yates, Wife
Chapman Leavitt Yates, Son (Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr.)
M H Yates, Relative (Other Relative) (son, Martin Huffman Yates)
Table of Contents 122 images:
Cover Page 1
Will Papers 2–3
Order Papers 4–9
Will Papers 10–12
Order Papers 13–16
Account Papers 17–18
Order Papers 19–22
Account Papers 23–26
Order Papers 27
Account Papers 28–35
Petition Papers 36–37
Order Papers 38–39
Sales Paper 40–41
Account Papers 42–43
Order Papers 44–45
Account Papers 46–47
Sales Paper 48–49
Account Papers 50–51
Sales Paper 52
Will Papers 53–54
Sales Paper 55
Petition Papers 56–57
Order Papers 58–59
Petition Papers 60–61
Account Papers 62–66
Petition Papers 67–68
Order Papers 69–72
Petition Papers 73–79
Account Papers 80–81
Administration Papers 82
Will Papers 83–84
Administration Papers 85
Sales Paper 86–87
Account Papers 88–91
Order Papers 92–94
Equity Papers 95–100
Petition Papers 101–118
Inventory Papers 119–122
Aug 21, 1872: Death of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. (age 63), San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Aug 23, 1872: Burial of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr., Oak Hil Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; Block 2, Sec E, Lot 4, Grave 6
Chapman has no headstone; he is buried in the Yates family plot with his wife Harriet and other family members.
Jun 16, 1880: U.S. Federal Census, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Yates, Leivitt: age 37, Printer, born Michigan, father born Michigan, mother born New York (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Jr.)
Yates, Margaret: age 31, Wife, Music Teacher, born England, father born Ireland, mother born Ireland
Walsh, Margaret: age 35, Roomer, born Canada, father born Ireland, mother born Ireland
Mary age 9, at school, born California, father born Canada, mother born Canada
Note: Chapman Leavitt Yates, Jr. (age 43), Margaret, wife (age 36)
Feb 11, 1893: Death of Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr. (age 56), in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; dropsy
Note: Dropsy is a condition rather than a disease: morbid accumulation of fluid and edema in tissues and cavity.
Note: Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr.’s obituaries all state he died at 50 years, 10 months on Feb 11, 1893. His cemetery burial record reflects a burial date of Feb 12, 1887. Several census and other records confirm he was born in 1836.
Feb 11, 1893, San Jose Herald, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Feb 11, 1893, San Jose Herald, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
DEATH OF C.L. YATES.
Pioneer Printer Called Away This Morning.
He Has Been in Failing Health for the Past Year
The Funeral Will Be Held To-Morrow.
At 6 o’clock this morning C.L. Yates, belter known as “Brett” Yales, died at his residence, 151 South Second street, of dropsy. The deceased was a native of White Pigeon, Michigan, aged 50 years and 10 months and has been a resident of San Jose for thirty-five years. “Brett” served his apprenticeship as a printer with F.B. Murdoch and afterwards branched out as a job printer, doing business for years on his own account. He was also engaged for a lengthy period as foreman of the Mercury job rooms and published the Saturday Advertisor one of the first free weekly publications of the city. Chapman Yates, father of the deceased, was in the sixties, postmaster of San Jose, with headquarters in the building on South First street, now occupied by D. Quilty, the tailor. “Brett” was a genial companion, an artist in his profession and several San Jose printers owe their attainments in this line to the care and early training of the deceased, who by his pleasant manner, bright and sunny nature and ability imbued his pupils with the proper ideas to attain access in their calling. The deceased has been failing in health for over a year but was not confined to bed until about six weeks ago. He is a member of Mt. Hamilton Lodge, A.O.U.W., under whose auspices the funeral will take place to-morrow at 2 p. m., thence to St. Joseph’s church, where services will be held. The interment will be at Oak Hill cemetery. The deceased leaves a widow, who has the sympathy of a large circle of friends in her bereavement.
Feb 12, 1893: San Jose newspaper:
DEATH OF A PRINTER
Brett Yates Succumbs to the Effects of Dropsy
Chapman Leavitt Yates, one of the oldest printers of San Jose, who was familiarly called Brett Yates, died at 6 o’clock yesterday morning of dropsy. Mr. Yates was born at White Pigeon, Michigan and was age 50 years and ten months. He came to San Jose with his parents when about 15 years old, and his father, Chapman Yates, was postmaster here in the sixties. Brett served his apprenticeship as a printer with F.B. Murdoch and afterward branched out as a job printer, doing business for years on his own account. He was also engaged for a lengthy period as foreman of the Mercury job rooms and published the Saturday Advertiser, one of the first free weekly publications of the city. He was a genial companion, an artist in his profession and several San Jose printers owe their attainments in this line to careful training under him.
The deceased had been failing in health for over a year, but was no confined to bed until about six weeks ago. He was a member of Hamilton Lodge, A.O.U.W., and under whose auspices, the funeral will take place this afternoon at 2 o’clock from the family residence, 151 South Second Street, thence to St. Joseph’s church where services will be celebrated. The internment will be at Oak Hill cemetery.
The deceased leaves a widow, who has the sympathy of a large circle of friends in her bereavement.
Feb 12, 1893: Burial of Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr., at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; Block 2, Sec E, Lot 4, Grave 3
Note: A Catherine Pillot (buried in grave 5) is on the headstone w/Chapman & his 2nd wife, Margaret.
Catherine “Kate” (Fitzgerald) Pillot
Daughter of James Fitzgerald & Mary Jordan (both born in Ireland)
Born: Apr 14, 1846, Canada
Died: Feb 14, 1924 (age 77), San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; stroke
Buried: Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; Block 2, Sec E, Lot 4, Grave 5
Married: 1890: Antone Pillot (b. 1841 – d.1901)
Note: Roy Leavitt Clement [Kellogg], the son of Edmond Pierre Clement & Alice Josephine Yates, was furious that Catherine shared their headstone as she was not part of the family and was not supposed to be buried there
Yates family burial records for Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
(Je)ssie Yates (2 yrs old): Sec E, Block 4, Grave 1 (daughter of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. & Harriet Barton)
Harriet Yates: Sec E, Block 4, Grave 2 (Harriet (Barton) Yates, wife of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr
C.L. Yates (age 4 or 9)?: Sec E, Block 4, Grave 3 (unknown child, buried with Chapman Yates Jr.)
Chapman Yates Jr.: Sec E, Block 4, Grave 3 (headstone) (Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr.)
Margaret Yates: Sec E, Block 4, Grave 4 (headstone) (Margaret Elisabeth (Lilley) Yates, 2nd wife of Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr.)
Catherine Pillot: Sec E, Block 4, Grave 5 (headstone) (unrelated, shares headstone with Chapman & Margaret Yates)
Chapman Yates Sr.: Sec E, Block 4, Grave 6 (Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr.)
Feb 26, 1898: Death of Martin Huffman Yates (age 42), in Fresno, Fresno Co., California; consumption
Feb 26, 1898: California Death Index (Vol 1, pg 86):
Name M H Yates (Martin Huffman Yates)
Death Date 26 Feb 1898
Death Place Fresno, California, USA
1898: The Fresno Republican, Fresno, Fresno Co., California:
Feb 28, 1898: Burial of Martin Huffman Yates, Fresno County Cemetery #1 (Potters Fields/indigents), in Fresno, Fresno Co., California
Jun 13, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Yates, Margaret: Head, female, born Oct 1852, age 47, widowed, 0 children born, 0 children living, born England, father born Ireland, mother born Ireland (widow of Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr.)
Porter, Elizabeth: Roomer, female, born Mar 1832, age 68, widowed, 3 children born, 1 child living, born U.S, father born U.S., mother born U.S.
Knapp, Herrmany: Roomer male, born Jul 1828, age 71, widowed, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany
Nov 23, 1919: Death of Margaret Elizabeth (Lilley) Yates (age 74), the 2nd wife of Chapman Leavitt “Brett” Yates, Jr., in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Nov 23, 1919: California Death Index:
Name Margret E Yates
Birth Year abt 1841
Death Date 23 Nov 1919
Age at Death 78
Death Place Santa Clara, California, USA
Nov 1919: Newspaper Obituary, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
FRIENDS SHOCKED BY DEATH OF MRS. YATES
Well Known Music Teacher to be Buried Today
Many long-time friends were greatly shocked yesterday morning to learn of the passing during the night of Mrs. Margaret E. Yates at her home at 359 South Second Street, where she had been ill only a few days.
Mrs. Yates was the wife of C.L. Yates, the writer, who passed away in 1893, but in her early life was one of the belles of San Francisco. Since the death of her husband, she had been a teacher of music, and in this work has made a wide circle of friends, and although 80 years of age had kept up her work until taken ill last Wednesday.
The body was removed to the funeral parlors of the San Jose Undertaking company, where funeral services will be celebrated for the repose of her soul and she will be laid to rest beside the body of her husband in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Nov 25, 1919: Burial of Margaret Elizabeth (Lilley) Yates, Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; Sec E, Block 4, Grave 4
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May 5, 2009: Email from a “Find A Grave” photographer:
The plot information you have, Plot: Sec E, Block 4, Graves 2 and 6, is, for the most part, correct. The person in the office said she could find no record of there being a specific “grave #6”. However, the overall plot 4 is defined by a low wall of some type of light gray material, either some type of stone, or perhaps concrete, which is in very good condition. Oak Hill Cemetery has record of six burials, all Yates with the exception of Catherine Pillot. As you know, there is a common grave marker for Chapman Leavitt Yates, Margaret Yates and Catherine Pillot. The other family members of record buried within plot 4 and without headstones or other markers include Chapman Yates, Harriet Yates and one other name. The records person wrote everything so hastily that it is difficult to know whether the name is “Yessie Yates”, Yossie Yates, Gessie Yates. It’s the first two letters that are difficult to tell what they are. However, the name that seems more reasonable would be “Jessie” Yates. You can see that the area is fairly large – probably big enough for there to be more than the 6 graves listed.
Good luck with your research.
Best regards, Willdene Rathje
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Yates Family History written by Roy Kellogg:
YATES FAMILY
Came from England, date Unknown. Moved from one of the colonies to New York sometime after the British took possession of that territory in 1664.
I here will try to give the story of the family beginning with Chapman Yates, Sr., my great grandfather. All dates of events I do not show here, can be obtained by the San Jose Historical Society.
After the death of Chapman Yates Sr., everything owned by him went to Chapman Yates, Jr. Chapman Jr. married and the couple was childless. They took care of a girl named Molly and at the death of Chapman Jr., Molly, who was like a daughter to him, received all his holdings. There were some family heirlooms that Chapman Yates wanted my mother to have, she being the daughter of his younger brother, Martin. At his death, my mother, Alice Yates Kellogg was his only living relative. What became of these records, keepsakes and books, we have never been able to find out. Only one book of Chapman Yates Sr. did we find: a bible from the Clipper Ship, Challenge. “Ship Challenge” is stamped in gold on the cover and inside is written in ink: Forecastel for the use of all hands and committed to their care, New York, June 1, 1851.
The Clipper Challenge made a record run from New York to San Francisco in 108 days. She arrived in San Francisco Bay, October 29, 1851, with this bible on board. It is believed Chapman Yates Sr. being in the business of selling and buying books as well as printing same, bought the bible from a sailor. The story of this ship will be told in another place. Mother holds title to the family burying plot in San Jose and when Molly died, she gave her consent to let her be buried there. Oak Hill Cemetery. The old bible, she gave to me.
GREAT-GRANDFATHER AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHER
In 1841, Chapman Yates and Harriet Barton Yates left Utica, New York for White Pigeon, Michigan where he opened a drug store in 1842.
In 1849, Chapman Yates Sr., with his wife Harriet and young son, Chapman, Jr., set out for California.
The events of this trip were told to my mother by her Uncle Chapman Jr. In many places the trail was clearly marked by the white bleached bones of the oxen from the parties that had passed that way before them. Harriett gave birth to a child on the trip and the child died and the entire company of the wagon train attended the funeral. She was buried on the prairie beside the trail and the grave was marked with a cross made from a single tree found on the trail. Harriet Yates never fully recovered from the hardships of the trip and being in a very weakened condition, Chapman Yates paid as high as $1.00 for an egg and as much as 50 cents for a glass of safe water. Safe water free from alkali was hard to get.
Water holes, partly dried creeks, furnished water to the train most of the time until the mountains were reached. They followed the Emigrant trail to Sacramento, arriving sometime in 1850. After a short stay in Sacramento during one of the great floods the family moved to San Jose, I believe it was in 1851. Chapman Yates and his son opened a printing shop in San Jose (an old picture in the San Jose Mercury of June 20, 1941, shows that the printing shop was operating as late as 1865.)
Chapman Sr. served on the city council and also as postmaster of San Jose. He also served as treasurer of Santa Clara County. Mother tells me that while serving on the city council, he and another member, she thinks the name was Quimbley, fought for the purchase of the land the park and city hall now occupies. The price was considered too high by other members. They were successful and the civic center was purchased for 300 or 400 dollars. Once when serving as postmaster, a group of men wanted their man appointed postmaster, so one of them was sent to Washington. Strings were pulled and lies were told and an attempt was made to blacken his character. When news of what was going on at the National Capitol reached San Jose, churches of all faiths, lodges business groups and even the Mexican population came to his defense and the roar was heard in Washington. Chapman Yates continued to serve as the postmaster of San Jose.
Thirteen children were born to Chapman and Harriet Yates in California. Only one of them lived to maturity, Martin Yates, my mother’s father. Chapman Yates taught both his boys to type set, Chapman Jr. is known to his fellow printers in San Jose as Brett, started the first give away or free newspaper in San Jose, known as the Saturday Advertiser.
Martin went to Santa Clara College. He had nothing but praise for his instructors, the priests who were of a different faith than his. He often said that if one showed a desire to learn, they would help at any time, even after classes. This was over 90 years ago. He also hunted pigeons in the Santa Cruz mountains. Martin found type setting that his father taught him to come in handy in later years. Reading and writing Spanish he later set type for a Spanish newspaper from English into Spanish. Just before his death, he was preparing to go to Mexico City to take charge of a paper there.
He studied telegraphy when a boy as a hobby. Later he was offered the position as station master at Mayfield, by the Southern Pacific R.R. He married Josephine Des Granges there and they lived with her mother, Marie Rose. A daughter, (my mother) Alice was born September 30, 1875 and a son, Martin, a couple of years later. Martin Sr. was transferred to San Francisco as telegrapher, stationed at Third and Townsend Sts. While there a third was child born. Josephine Yates died from childbirth and little Josephine died soon after. [July 5, 1884]. Both were buried in the old Odd Fellows cemetery in San Francisco.
After the death of his wife, he tried to raise his two children but did not take much interest in his work. He never worked steady after that. For a while he played piano, set type and founded the key of the telegraph. He finally secured a job setting type for a Spanish newspaper, translating English into Spanish as he set the type. He also spoke and wrote German. His big break came when he was offered the management of a paper in Mexico City. Death came while he was preparing for the trip.
He died in Fresno, I think it was in 1898. I was then six years old but I remember him and I remember his playing for me. We were very close to each other.
Written by Roy Leavitt (Clement) Kellogg – Grandma Kellogg’s son.
Note: Contributed by Gerry & Kathy Sevenau
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Parents of Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr.
George Yates
Son of George Yates & unknown
Born: Mar 31, 1784, New York
Died: Aug 7, 1824 (age 40), Mt. Vision, Otsego Co., New York
Buried: Falls Bridge Cemetery in New Lisbon, Otsego Co., New York
Married: Jan 31, 1804, Elizabeth Harrington, New York
Eight children: Erastus W. Yates, Alfred Yates, Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr, Amorette Yates, Holland Yates, Porter Yates, Emily Yates, George Van Ness Yates
Elizabeth Harrington
Daughter of Stephen Harrington & Patience Eldred
Born: Nov 3, 1784, Vermont
Died: Jul 10, 1858 (age 73), Mt. Vision, Otsego Co., New York
Buried: Falls Bridge Cemetery in New Lisbon, Otsego Co., New York
Married: Jan 31, 1804, George Yates, New York
Eight children: Erastus W. Yates, Alfred Yates, Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr, Amorette Yates, Holland Yates, Porter Yates, Emily Yates, George Van Ness Yates
1. Erastus W. Yates (m.1 Minerva unkn, m.2 Angeline Pierce)
1805–1875
2. Alfred Yates
1807–1808
3. Chapman Leavitt Yates, Sr. (m. Harriet Barton)
1809–1872
4. Amorette Yates (m. William Silas Field)
1812–1898
5. Holland Yates (m. Lucretia C. unkn)
1813–1872
6. Porter Yates (Doctor); (m. Mary L. Williams)
1818–1896
7. Emily Yates
1818–1848
8. George Van Ness Yates (Judge); (m. Lucy Amanda Smith)
1822–1876
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2023. Researched and compiled by Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau, with contributions of cousins, kin, and fellow researchers.
Note: The cemetery headstone photos from Find A Grave contained herein are the property of those who photographed them.
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