Benjamin  J.  Yost  was  born  Aug.  20,  1853.  He  received  his  education  in
the  public  schools,  principally  at  Shenandoah,  and  during  his  youth  clerked
for  some  time  in  a  store  there,  also  learning  the  trade  of  barber.  Soon  after
this  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  work  of  organizing  camps  for  the  Patriotic
Order  Sons  of  America,  in  Schuylkill,  Union,  Centre,  Snyder,  Clinton,  Clear-
field and  Columbia  counties,  and  was  so  engaged  for  a  period  of  eighteen
months,  meeting  with  notable  success.  Returning  to  his  trade  he  followed  it
for  a  few  years,  until  appointed  deputy  clerk  of  the  Schuylkill  county  courts,
in  which  position  he  served  one  term.  After  that  he  resumed  his  trade  at
Shenandoah  for  two  years,  until  he  took  charge  of  the  "Lakeside  Hotel''  at
Lakeside,  Pa.,  which  he  carried  on  for  eleven  years.  For  another  year  he
was  in  the  restaurant  business  at  Lansford,  Pa.,  in  September,  191 1,  coming
to  Tamaqua  and  going  back  to  his  trade.     In  June,   1914,  he  was  appointed


SCHUYLKILL  COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANL\  799

chief  burgess  of  the  borough,  by  the  Schuylkill  county  courts,  and  he  is
giving  faithful  attention  to  the  duties  of  this  responsible  office,  striving  earn-
estly to  promote  the  best  interests  of  his  town  and  fellow  townsmen.  Mr.
Yost  made  an  excellent  record  in  his  previous  public  service,  having  acted
as  health  officer  of  Rush  and  Ryon  townships,  this  county;  as  deputy  coroner;
and  for  seven  years  as  a  member  of  the  council  in  Shenandoah.
Mr.  Yost  has  always  kept  up  his  active  connection  with  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.
He  holds  membership  in  Washington  Camp  No.  112,  of  Shenandoah,  has
served  as  State  marshal,  and  has  attended  twenty  State  and  National  con-
ventions.
