Jacob Yoder facts for kids
Jacob Yoder (born August 11, 1758 – died April 7, 1832) was an early American explorer and settler. His family came from Switzerland. He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and later lived in Spencer County, Kentucky.
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Jacob Yoder: An American Pioneer
From Pennsylvania to the Frontier
Jacob Yoder was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. When he was older, he served as a soldier during the American Revolutionary War. He fought for Pennsylvania's army.
Pioneering River Trade
After the war, Jacob Yoder became a very important person in American trade. He built a large boat at Fort Red Stone, which is now Brownsville, Pennsylvania. This fort was on the Monongahela River.
In May 1782, he loaded his boat with flour. He then sailed it all the way to New Orleans. This was a huge journey down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. It was the very first time anyone tried to use these rivers for business!
Jacob Yoder made a good profit from selling his flour. He used that money to buy animal furs. He then sold the furs in Havana, a city in Cuba. With the money from the furs, he bought sugar to sell in Philadelphia. This showed how new trade routes could be opened.
The Flatboat Invention
Jacob Yoder is also known for inventing the flatboat. Flatboats were simple, flat-bottomed boats. They were perfect for carrying goods down rivers. This invention made river travel and trade much easier for many years.
Life in Kentucky
Later, Jacob Yoder settled in Spencer County, Kentucky. He continued to be involved in important work. He helped get supplies and support to soldiers in the northwest territory. This shows he was still dedicated to helping his country.
His Historic Home: Beechland
Jacob Yoder built his home, called Beechland, in Spencer County, Kentucky, in 1804. This historic house still stands today. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical place in the United States.
