Subject: Civil War
Description: Silas A. Yerkes Entered service in company C, 13th Infantry, at organization, as second lieutenant, age 27. Commissioned, Oct. 3, 1861. Mustered Jan. 17, 1862. Discharged to accept promotion May 20, 1862. Commissioned first lieutenant May 15, 1862. Mustered, May 21, 1862. Discharged to accept promotion April 6, 1863. Commissioned captain, Feb. 26, 1863. Mustered, April 7, 1863. Wounded in action at Chickamauga, GA, Sept. 1863. Brevet major, U.S. Volunteers, March 15, 1865, for meritorious services during the campaign in George and the Carolinas. Commissioned major, May 12, 1865. Discharged on account of disability, May 15, 1865. Silas Allen Yerkes was the son of Anthony Yerkes, born near Philadelphia, Pa., and Esther (Allen) born in the State of New York. Silas was born near Manchester, Michigan on October 14, 1834. He was never married, educated in the district school system, went to Hillsdale College, was a Methodist, and a Republican. He taught school when he was only 17 years old with good success and served his township as a supervisor. He was named a member of the State Board of Agriculture for Lowell, Kent county but only met two or three times with the Board. In October of 1861 he resigned to enter the army. He entered as 2nd Lieutenant of the 13th Infantry and became Captain on February 26, 1863. He was wounded at Chickamauga on September 19, 1863. He was brevetted Major for meritorious conduct and discharged when no longer able to serve as a solider on may 15, 1865. He then moved to Vergennes, Kent Country, MI and was a farmer until his death on October 26, 1865.
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