obit, Aug 8, 1898, Stephenson Co, Illinois

Christian Yarger, one the pioneer settlers of Stephenson county died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Askey, near the village of Orangeville, aged 78 years. The death of this good citizen was due to dropsy from which disease he had suffered several months. Mr. Yarger was born in Walker township, Center county, Pa. The family being one of the oldest in that state as the first representative of the Yarger family in this country emigrated from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary War and the father and grandfather of Christian Yarger were both born in the Keystone state. Christian Yarger spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Pennsylvania and soon after becoming of age he married Miss Sarah McManigal. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Yarger lived for a time on a farm in Center county, but in the spring of 1865 they emigrated to the west and purchased a farm in Lancaster township, this county where the deceased was very successful in his chosen calling and had one of the finest farms in the county, well stocked and the buildings are substantial and attractive. Mr. Yarger remained on his farm until about two years ago, when he went to live his daughter, Mrs. Askey, where he died. Mr. Yarger was a man of power in his community, and was elected assessor, road commissioner and held other offices. He was a Christian in every sense of the word, and belonged to the Second Presbyterian church of this city.

Mr. Yarger was the father of eleven children, ten of whom survive him. They are Mrs. Earl Hathaway, of Ottawa, IA; Mrs. James Askey, Rock Grove township; James L. Yarger, of Freeport; F. R. Yarger of Marysville, Kansas; Thomas M. Yarger, of Osceola county, IA; Wm C. Yarger, of Dakota; Mrs. Frank Baramore, of Rock Grove township; Mrs. Julia Hoover of Freeport; H. M. Yarger, of Orangeville; Mrs. Geo. Miller, of Lancaster township.