Seth Hartman Yocum facts for kids
Seth Hartman Yocum (born August 2, 1834 – died April 19, 1895) was an important American politician. He was a member of the Greenback Party and served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania. He had a varied career, working as a printer, teacher, lawyer, and even a mayor.
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Early Life and Education
Seth H. Yocum was born in Catawissa, Pennsylvania. He went to local schools in the countryside. In 1850, when he was about 16, he moved to Philadelphia. There, he learned how to be a printer.
After working as a printer, Yocum spent several years teaching in schools. He then went to Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1860. While at college, he was part of a student group called Phi Kappa Psi.
Serving His Country
During the American Civil War, Seth Yocum joined the Union Army. He started as a private, which is the lowest rank for a soldier. He later earned a promotion to first lieutenant in the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry. This meant he was an officer leading a group of soldiers on horseback.
Becoming a Lawyer
After the war, Yocum decided to study law. In 1865, he became a lawyer in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He started his law practice in Ashland, Pennsylvania. Later, in 1873, he moved to Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and continued working as a lawyer there.
From 1875 to 1879, Yocum served as the district attorney for Centre County, Pennsylvania. A district attorney is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to bring legal cases against people accused of crimes.
Political Career
Seth Yocum was elected to the U.S. Congress as a member of the Greenback Party. The Greenback Party was a political group in the late 1800s that focused on economic issues, especially about money and currency. He served one term in Congress. He did not try to be re-elected in 1880.
Later Life and Business
After his time in Congress, Yocum moved to Johnson City, Tennessee. There, he started a business in tanning, which is a process used to make leather. In 1885, he was elected mayor of Johnson City, showing his continued involvement in public service.
Later, he moved again, this time to Pasadena, California. In California, he started a new business growing oranges. Seth Hartman Yocum passed away in Santa Monica, California, in 1895. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Pasadena.
