For the past 15 months Mr. Yates had been confined to his bed, but during all of his illness was exceptionally patient. He died December 27, 1928, at the home of his son, Leo.

Mr. Yates watched the growth and development of the town. Coming here in 1875 as a pioneer settler, he saw the small prairie settlement transformed into the modern city of today. In his earlier years in Larned he ran a transfer line and later was in the restaurant business. The last 20 years of his life he devoted his time to bee culture, and for years has been known as Larned’s bee man.

Benjamin, son of William and Annie Yates, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on March 19, 1840, and died at the home of his son in Larned on December 27, 1928. He was the youngest of a family of seven. The Yates family moved from Ohio to Iowa, where Benjamin was married on April 22, 1875, to Mary Elizabeth Brown. In October, 1875, they came to Pawnee county, Kansas, where they made their home.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Yates, one of whom died in infancy. Two daughters, Mrs. Minnie Blount and Mrs. Carrie Neely, preceded their father in death. Mrs. Yates died in June, 1911, and since that time Mr. Yates has made his home with his children.
Mr. Yates was reared in the Quaker faith and followed his conscience in this faith. He is survived by a son, Leo Yates, of Larned, and a daughter, Mrs. Alice Banks, of Wichita, twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the Beckwith mortuary, and interment was in the Larned cemetery.