| Notes |
- Written by Gayle Foster - 2010.
JACOB YOCUM (1773-1845) NOTE: THIS IS NOT "JACOB LEVI YOCUM". .
Yocum name is German, meaning descendant of Joachim. Yoachum, Yocum, Yokum, Joachum are various spellings of the same name. It is likely that our Yocum family was of German descent; however, some references say that they are of French origin. This may be a misinterpretation based on the possible migration from the French areas of Missouri, Cape Girardeau, and the close association of Philabert, who was French.
Jacob Yocum and his brothers were early settlers in the Upper White River Country in southwest Missouri. The Yocums are credited as being the first permanent white settlers in the Missouri Ozarks. They were friendly with the Delaware Indians who lived in the area and had moved from the Cape Girardeau Missouri area in 1815. The Delawares had a treaty with the U.S. Government that gave them a reservation on the James Fork of the White River in Missouri. For a number of years, Jacob Yocum paid the Indians an annual rental of thirty bushels of corn for the privilege of living among them. He kept a small farm, and hunted and trapped during the fur season. The Yocums had other activities as well that included minting their own Yocum Silver Dollars which was used as local currency, and manufacturing and selling liquor to the Indians. There is a record of a complaint by a U.S. Indian agent regarding the Yocums. Apparently they were making and selling peach brandy to the Indians, and this was illegal. This relationship with the Delaware Indians ended when they signed a new treaty in 1829, and gave up these lands for a new reservation in Kansas. By 1832 most of the Delaware Indians had moved away from Missouri.
It is possible that the Yocums were associated with the Delaware Indians before their move to the White River area. There is a family legend that the Yocums helped move the Indians, and were granted land in the White River region for these efforts. In 1987, I (GF) talked with Jacob Leroy Armstrong, a descendant of Henry Schell & Elizabeth Yocum Schell. He said that he heard the family legend that Jacob Yocum, father of Elizabeth Yocum Schell, was commissioned by the government to help move a group Indians to Missouri. He received a land grant of 300 acres in Stone County as payment for his services. I (gf) grew up hearing this legend also, but I thought it was one of the Schells that helped moved the Indians. The book by Artie Ayers says that Casper Schell moved Indians from NC to MO and rec'd land for it. Are we confused or could they BOTH have been involved with the Indian Removal? Another family mystery!
If the Yocums were involved with the Delaware Indian movement in 1815 from the Cape Girardeau area, it is also possible that they lived in the Cape Girardeau area, and previously in Illinois, directly across the Mississippi River from Cape Girardeau. There are some records that show that the Yocums came from Illinois, and it is recorded in Ayers’s book, that they came from Illinois. The history of Lorimar, who in 1794 was the commandant of Cape Girardeau, and received a Spanish land grant in the Cape Girardeau area, mentions his involvement with the Delaware Indians, first in Illinois then in Missouri.
It is known that the Yocums were in the White River area before 1819, as they are mentioned in Schoolcraft’s writings. HENRY SCHOOLCRAFT, the historian, traveled through on the White River in Jan. 1819, and J. Yoachum (Yochem) served as his guide. It is recorded that he feasted on roast beaver tail cooked by Yoachum, in "Scenes and Adventures in the Semi-Alpine Region of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri and Arkansas." Schoolcraft kept a detailed journal and has very interesting descriptions of life along the White River in 1819. (this is about the time Elizabeth Yocum Schell was born. In her obituary it states that she was born in Arkansas, but by 1820 they were in Stone County, see census below)
Several Yocum families are mentioned in the 1820 census of the area. This census was found on Rootsweb, and I am not sure of the source. Is it a local tax role, or is it part of the U.S. Census? Jacob is on this census. It is unclear at this point which of these are brothers of Jacob Yocum, probably James, Jess, and possibly more. It is believed that they are all of the same extended family.
1820 CENSUS - STONE COUNTY (then TANEY COUNTY)
Yoachum James 298 PIERCE
Yocum D. L. 39 GALENA VILLAGE
Yocum Delia M. 41 GALENA VILLAGE
Yocum Jacob 32 PINE
Yocum Jess M. 30 PINE
Yocum Thomas L. 105 WASHINGTON
Yokum Joseph 305 JAMES
Youcum Charley W. 102 WHITE RIVER
ITEMS FROM LANDOWNERS SURVEY OF STONE COUNTY MISSOURI IN 1848-1849
*Twp. 26, Range 22W. 5 P.M., 26 June 1838: Date is correct. James Fork of White River on Road from St. Louis, Missouri to main White River Arkansas Territory. On Finley Creek is Yocum’s Distillery, Mill and School House. Surveyed by AF. Ginn. SW: of SE¼ of Sec 9; SE¼ of Sec. 8. This is a large holding and seems to be earliest in these plats. Road mentioned above is marked. (Note: this is probably Solomon Yocum)
*Twp. 22 N; Range 23W of 5 P.M. 29 Sept. 1849: James Fork of White River, Sec. 7, SW1/4, S. Philabert’s 39.84 A., apparently Sec. 18 also NW1/4 & SE1/4 to White River
From WHITE RIVER VALLEY HISTORICAL QUARTERLY Copied by Edna Hazel McCullough Lowery, 209 Noland Street, Falls Church, Va. 22046 September 1973, from originals; listings only of surnames found on plats. Originals owned by Mrs. W. T. McCullough, R.F. D.1, Box 142; Berryville, Arkansas.
The federal government did not complete the survey of the areas around Finley Creek and James River until 1838. This may explain why the above Landowner’s surveys were not completed earlier. It wasn’t possible for them to get legal possession of the land from the federal government until the federal survey was completed.
There is also a Michael Yocum on the 1834 Carroll County Arkansas Territorial Tax List. It is believed that he is related to the Yocums from the James River settlement in Missouri. John Yocum, of the same family, settled on the creek in 1833 in Carroll County Arkansas that now bears his name (Yocum Creek). Yocum, who was a blacksmith by trade is credited by Goodspeed with having built a mill on Yocum Creek in Carroll County Arkansas after his arrival.
By 1835, Jacob owned one of the largest cattle herds in Southwest Missouri.
1840 Census, James Township, Taney County, MO-
Joseph Philibert, Jacob Yoakum and Levi Yokum are in 3 consecutive households. Henry Yokum nearby. Also Henry Shell (Schell)
1840 Census - Jacob Yocum is 60-70 years, wife is 60-70 years old, and one younger male (son?) 15-20 years old.
1840 Census - Levi Yocum is 20-30 years old, wife is 30 to 40 years, and two males under 5 and two females under 5.
1840 Census - Henry Yocum is 30-40, wife is 20-30, 2 males under 5
1840 Census- Henry Shell (Schell) is in nearby household to Yocums. Census shows he is married with wife and several young children. He is husband to Elizabeth Yocum Schell
This census record supports the birth date of Jacob Yocum as about 1775. The household next door is Levi Yokum, Henry Shell (Schell) is on same page of census. He is married to Elizabeth Yocum, daughter of Jacob.
1850 James township, there is a J Yochum in the household with Philabert family. This Yocum is 22 years old (born 1828).
The county seat of Stone County is named Galena. Schoolcraft reported seeing lumps of galena on his journey. First known as Jamestown, the town was originally settled in the 1830's to the south. (question: Was Jamestown named after James Yocum?) After Stone County was organized in 1851 the present location and name were adopted. Stone County lies in the oldest mountain region in the U.S. The county was part of the territory claimed by the Osage until 1808. Delaware Indians, between their land cession in Cape Girardeau County, 1818, and their final Missouri land cession, 1829, lived along the James River. In early days the county benefited from the Wilderness Road, a north-south Indian and pioneer trail. Near Reeds Spring was Linchpin Campground. The Butterfield Mail route of 1858-61, soon called the Wire Road, cut across northwest Stone County. This area is known for Harold Bell Wright's 1907 novel, 'The Shepherd of the Hills", tomato farming, great natural beauty, legends and folklore. Fairy, Marvel, and Old Spanish caves. Early settlers include Joseph Philabert, Indian Trader, Jacob Yocum, Schoolcraft's guide.
YOCUM SILVER DOLLARS AND THE LEGEND OF THE SILVER MINE
The Family Legend of the Yocum Silver Mine and Silver Dollars was passed down through many descendants of Yocums. As with Family Legends, not all agree on every detail, but there is enough similarity in the tales to be certain that there is some truth in it. All versions describe the silver mine that the Yocums owned in Missouri, and the Yocum silver dollars that they made and traded.
Artie Ayers’ book about this family and the silver mine, “Traces of Silver" doesn’t seem to be correct with his Yocum family relationships. Other versions of the family legend differ with the family members names and relationships. Ayers says there were three Yocum brothers that came to Stone County: James, Jacob, and Solomon, and the son of James, Jacob Levi. The writings of Turnbo list four brothers in the White River area, Solomon, Mike, Jesse, and Jacob. Some current day researchers believe that James and Jacob are the same person.
According to Ayer’s book, there are three Yocum brothers, James, Solomon, and Jacob that came to the White River area of Missouri. James Yoachum came from Illinois. His wife had died, and he had a child, Jacob Levi. James then decided to become a fur trapper and mountain man and travel into Missouri. He left his child with his brother, Solomon, in Illinois. In about 1793, he traveled by river in a keel boat to the Junction of the James and White Rivers in what is now Stone County, Missouri. The James River was named after him; at the time he arrived it was known as the great north fork of the White River. Yoachum Creek was also named for him. James was probably the first settler of European descent in the area. James became a trusted friend with the local Indians, the Delawares, and married an Indian woman, Winona. James could converse with them in their sign language. He was an expert with a bow and arrow, but carried a Harpers Ferry Rifle. For several years, James would return to Illinois in the spring to sell his furs and to visit his son, Jacob Levi. Late in the summer he would return to Missouri with necessary provisions for the next winter. In about 1815, James convinced his brother Solomon, and his son, Jacob Levi, to return with him to Missouri. A third Yocum brother, Jacob, also moved to Missouri. They traveled there on horseback. The Yocum’s traded with the Delaware Indians for the silver cave sometime during the early 1800's. The location of the mine was concealed. Money, especially silver money, was scarce and the Yocums decided to make their own. It was not illegal to coin money until 1862 when Congress passed a law prohibiting it. The coins were the same size as the Spanish dollar, with the word "YOCUM" stamped on them. The Yocum Dollar was a common medium of exchange and the worth or value of this coin was never questioned by the hill folks. The source of the coins was not a mystery. All the pioneers knew that the Yocum brothers made these dollars. The big question was "where did the silver come from?" Several descendants of Jacob Yocum can recall seeing the molds that were used to form the coins. According to the family legend, in 1846 or 1847, a double tragedy occurred in the Yocum Silver Mine. The mine caved in and it was presumed that James Yocum and his Indian wife, Winona, were in it. Solomon and Jacob decided to let the secret of the silver mine stay buried with James and his wife, Winona. Jacob died about 1849, leaving Solomon as the only remaining brother and the only person who knew the location of the mine. In 1849 news of the discovery of gold in California reached Missouri, and in 1850 a wagon train was organized at Harrison, Arkansas. Solomon Yocum and his family decided to head to California. There have been several instances in later years that Yocum silver dollars have been discovered. There have also been numerous attempts to locate the silver mine, but none have been successful.
Some current day historians have a different theory regarding the source of the Yocum Silver Dollars. It is known that the Yocums had distilleries and were manufacturing alcohol and then selling it to the Indians. The Indians had silver specie from the federal government as part of their treaty to leave their previous lands. This U.S. government silver was paid to the Yocums for the alcohol by the Indians, and the Yocums, in order to hide the source of their silver, melted it down and formed it into Yocum Dollars. They believe that the silver mine story was invented by the Yocums to hide the illegal activity. (See paper written by Lynn Morrow)
In the 1970's a theme park was built in Stone County Missouri, and named Silver Dollar City, in memory of the Yocum silver dollars. This park has rides and the local crafters (blacksmiths, basket weavers, storytellers, etc) and is located near Branson, Missouri. .
SOURCES:
1819 Schoolcraft Scenes and Adventures in the Semi-Alpine Region of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri and Arkansas, by Henry R. Schoolcraft
1820 Missouri Census
1838 Landowners Survey in Stone County
1840 U.S. Census
1850 U.S. Census
Illustrated History of McDonald County MO, by J. A. Sturges, Pineville, MO., 1897.
"Traces of Silver" by Artie Ayers, 1982, Ozark Mountain Country Historical Preservation Society, Reed Springs, MO.
The Yocum Silver Dollar by Lynn Morrow and Dan Saults
True West Magazine, 1964, article by Artie Ayers on silver mine & Yocums
Goodspeed’s History of Carroll County Arkansas
White River Chronicles of S. C Turnbo
Early History of Stone County Missouri by Charles L. Hensen published by White River Valley Historical Quarterly - 1964
Dictionary of Missouri Biography, by Lawrence O. Christian
WOULD LIKE TO FIND these articles or books:
Finding of Yoachum Dollar Recalls Days when Yoachum Made His Own, article appeared in the May 7, 1923 Edition of Springfield Daily Leader.
Another Piece in the Yocum Puzzle, by James A. McCulloch, pg 8 V16, #6 of Treasure Search Magazine (1974?)
Springfield Sunday News and Leader, July 20, 1975 edition
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1774 - 1850 (76 years)
