JAMES C. YELL, a native of Coffee County, Tenn., was born December 31, 1842, son of Francis M. and Judia (Short) Yell, both natives of Tennessee. The father was born near Wartrace, and is of English extraction. He has been a merchant, but at present is engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of nearly 200 acres. During the late war he was a guide for the Federal Army between Nashville and Chattanooga, from 1862 to the latter part of 1863, and was a stanch Union man. The mother is also living.
Our subject received a practical education in the country schools and at Tullahoma. In August, 1862. he enlisted in the Fifth Tennessee Federal Cavalry, and served in that command until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Murfreesboro. His regiment was mostly engaged in contending with guerrillas and Confederate cavalry. When the war closed he returned home and sold goods at Normandy for about a year. He then moved to the farm where he now resides, and engaged in tilling the soil. He owns a farm adjoining that of his father, consisting of nearly 200 acres, and another a mile distant of 114 acres.
December, 1879, he married Miss Ada Waite, a native of Coffee County, and this union was blessed by these children: Gordentia W., Warren S. and Frances M., all living. Mr. Yell is a Republican in politics, and member of the Masonic fraternity and also K. of H. He and wife are worthy members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.