Hon. a. N. Yancey, deceased, for some years judge of the
Macoupin County Court, was one of the most prominent professional men in the
county and an esteemed citizen of Carlinville. He was born at Montpelier,
Orange County, Virginia, March 24, 1844, was a son of James E. and Mary E.
(Waller) Yancey, and grandson of Chandler Yancey, a native of Virginia. His
great-grandfather Yancey was a captain in the Continental Army during the
Revolutionary War.
A. N. Yancey was 13 years of age when he removed
with his parents to Oldham County, Kentucky. His early educational training
was obtained in the academy at Hilton, Virginia, which he attended two years
and also in the public schools. He entered Dartmouth College at Hanover, New
Hampshire, and later took up the study of the law in Louisville, Kentucky.
He was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor in 1867, and immediately after engaged in the practice of his
profession at Bunker Hill, Illinois. He soon attained local prominence as a
lawyer of ability and numbered among his clients some of the best interests
of the community, serving as attorney for the Indianapolis & St. Louis
Railroad Company. Upon his removal to Carlinville, his practice continued
with unabated success. He was well grounded in legal principles, possessed a
keen, discriminating and practical mind, and was a powerful advocate at the
bar. In 1880 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the General Assembly
of Illinois, and so well did he represent his constituents that he was
returned to that body in the election of 1882. He served on many important
committees, and was the author of and secured the passage of a number of
good laws. From 1890 to 1894, he served with distinction as county judge of
Macoupin County, and it was frequently remarked that no more able nor
satisfactory judge ever presided in that court. He was always enthusiastic
in his support of the Democratic party, and no campaign passed without his
voice being heard in the interest of his party's success. In 1867, Judge
Yancey was joined in marriage with Lettice Belle Bryan, a native of
Kentucky, and to their union were born the following children: Mrs. Walter
S. Mayo, of Carlinville; James, of New York City; Archie; Lillian; and Ray.
In religious faith, the subject of this sketch was an Episcopalian.
Fraternally, he was a member of Bunker Hill Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was a
member of the committee on appeals and grievances of the Grand Lodge of the
State of Illinois.
Extracted 2018 May 06 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 130-133.
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