Yates, Charles (1847-1912)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by D. Sheen

Charles Yates began his earthly career at Wavendon, Bucks. His parents were among the sturdy upholders of Primitive Methodism in that village, and removing to Oxford, joined our society at New Street. Here Charles Yates was converted, and soon his name appeared on the plan. His usefulness is evidenced in the fact that in 1873 he became a hired local preacher in his own circuit. He manifested such capacity that he was recommended for the ministry, and appointed to St. Day circuit.

His health failing he resigned the ministry, but when he recovered went out as a hired local preacher and supplied for the Rev. M. Simmonds at Cirencester. He subsequently laboured in Southampton circuit for about two years. He then married the excellent lady who now with her five children mourns his loss. 

After this he resided at Compton, in Newbury circuit, and in this wide district had plenty of scope for his preaching powers. He returned to Oxford and his connection with this circuit was so long continued, that his name at last stood on plan next but one to the minister’s.

He was a voracious reader and a close thinker. He ever preferred books that would fire his soul and help him to be a good minister of the Lord Jesus. For forty years his ministry was most laborious. In many Oxfordshire villages he was well-known as an open-air preacher. Some of the most irreligious of men would listen respectfully to him. A wide circle of friends mourns his loss. In addition to his preaching he had become secretary to the New St. trustees for 1912.

Family

Charles was born in the spring of 1847 at Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, to parents Thomas Yates, a labourer (1851), and Alice Tansley.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Charles.

• 1871 bookseller
• 1881 clerk in iron foundry
• 1891 fruiter’s labourer
• 1911 assurance agent

He married Louisa Bailey (1860-1946) in the summer of 1877 at Oxford, Oxfordshire. Census returns identify five of seven children.

• William Charles (1878-1955) – an insurance superintendent (1911)             
• Lewis George Wesley (1879-1952) – a milkman (1911)
• Ethel Victoria (1881-1961) – a photography paper packer (1901); married Harold Harvey Innocent, an assistant schoolmaster (1911), in 1908
• Ernest Wilson (1885-1960) – a railway clerk (1911)
• Mabel Jessie (1888-1966) – a photographer’s assistant (1911); married Frederick R. Pratt, a railway clerk (1939), in 1912

Charles died in the spring of 1912 at Watford, Hertfordshire.

Circuits

• 1874 St Day
• 1875 disappears

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912/997

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers