Eliza Davis Yoakam was born in Burke County, Pennsylvania November 10, 1821 and died near Susanville, California October 1, 1906. August 14, 1853. She was married to John Yoakam in Marion, Ohio and in the spring of 1853 she moved with her husband and family to Jackson county, Oregon, where they resided for a year, when hearing of the wonderful resources of the coast, they came to Coos Bay, settling at Empire City, then the only town in the county. In 1855 they moved to a homestead about six miles from Empire City, on what was then the Randolph trail, but which is now known as the Cammon wagon road.
It was here that the awful tragedy of Mrs. Yoakam's life occurred--one that could only be possible in pioneer days, when a large burning tree fell with terrific force upon their little cabin, shattering it and instantly killing five of their children, one a babe in it's mother's arms. The accident happened in the evening, when the children were nearly all asleep, and when later the anguished parents searched amid the ruins of their little ones, they found four of them dead where they had slept. Two little boys, Jasper and George, aged 7 and 5 years, were still missing, and the father and mother groped for them in the semi-darkness, expecting to find their maimed and mangled bodies, but to their unspeakable joy they found them in their little trundle bed, alive and fast asleep; the branches of the tree had fallen in such a manner as to shield their little bed, and the commotion had not even awakened them. The scene of the accident is known as Yoakam's Hill, and stately firs, spreading cedars and the graceful rhododendron now grow in the wild luxuriance where these hapless children lie in their dreamless sleep.
The homestead was abandoned, as the poor mother could find no happiness there, and after a few sad months in Empire City and Eastport, they moved to the Coquille river, where they remained until 1867, when they bought the William Jackson farm on South Coos river, and literally howed for themselves a home out of the wilderness. In this home probably the happiest years of Mrs. Yoakam's life were spent. Other children came to her almost empty arms, and listening to their happy laughter her old sorrow gradually faded away. For many years "Yoakam's" was synonymous with good cheer and hospitality. None was ever sent cold, hungry or ragged from her door, and many were the demands upon her time and patience, for people came from all parts of the county to share the generous entertainment provided by Mr. and Mrs. Yoakam. Around their capacious fire place, with its blazing logs of myrtle or maple, many happy groups of old and young oft gathered in the bygone days, to recount thrilling tales of pioneer experiences, or read in one another's eyes the story youth ever loves to hear. Of this home it might be fitly written:
The great fires up the chimney roared,
The stranger feasted at the board.
There groups of merry children played,
There youths and maidens dreaming strayed.
All are scattered now and fled,
Some are married, some are dead."
Mrs. Yoakam was a woman of rare type, well-fitted by nature for the struggles and adventures of pioneer life. Of strong and sturdy constitution, of indomitable puck and courage--she feared neither man nor beast--of vast executive ability and wonderful originality of thought and expression, "Granny Yoakam," as she was affectionately called by all who knew her, was a character too seldom found.
Mr. Yoakam died in 1876, and for many years after his death his widow successfully managed the farm, failing health finally compelling her to leave it. Five years ago she went to California to spend her declining days with her son, Jasper A., and it was at his home she died.
She was the mother of twelve children, five of whom survive her. They are Jasper A., John, Joseph H., Mrs. Martha Davis, and Mrs. Mary More. All that is mortal of dear old "Grannie"--who was everybody's friend--will be brought here for burial, that her body may lie beside that of her husband, in the little cemetery on Coos River.
A.R. S.
Source: The Coos Bay Times. October 4, 1906
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