Charles E. Yeager
During his 31 years as an Estill Countian, Charles Yeager helped create many of the opportunities that we enjoy today. Like so many other Estill residents, Charles Yeager came to Estill County because of the railroad. In 1921, he moved here from Middletown, KY., to work in the L&N general office. But history would not let his move to Estill be an easy one. He suffered the fate of many as the Great Depression hit our county, losing his job and eventually his house in Ravenna.
This diminutive man possessed too much grit to allow financial problems to keep him down and he took a job as the Editor of the Ravenna section of f the Irvine Times. He also became involved civically as a charter member of the local Kiwanis Club and was elected president of that organization in 1930.
Being editor of the local paper and president of the Kiwanis Club provided him with a unique opportunity to promote community projects. As a result, two of his most significant contributions to Estill County occurred during this period. The first was getting Carhartt, Inc., which today is Estill County’s largest employer, to locate a factory in Irvine. His second accomplishment was establishing the local Troop of the Boy Scouts and serving as Scoutmaster for many years.
This man of many talents also served a term as City Clerk in Ravenna, held the position of Traffic Manager for Carhartt, Inc., and taught a Sunday School class at the Ravenna Christian Church for 25 years. Mr. Yeager was recognized on several occasions for his contributions to the county including being awarded scouting’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award, had a campsite named after him for his work with the Boy Scouts and the Chamber of Commerce selected him for the Outstanding Citizen Award of 1950.
Perhaps his most enduring legacy is the improved standard of living that so many of our citizens enjoy today, due in part to the good works of Mr. Yeager. Wages earned at the Carhartt plant have clothed, fed and educated hundreds of our citizens. The values instilled through his scouting efforts have encouraged dozens of local youths to lead more productive and satisfying lives.
Mr. Yeager died on May 26, 1952, at the age of sixty-three. He was married to Mable Dedman and together they had one son, the late Joseph Linder Yeager. Mr. Yeager was a compassionate, unassuming person who repeatedly demonstrated his love for Estill County and its people. Although he suffered greatly from the Depression his upbeat attitude was a beacon of hope for the counties needy and dispossessed. We don’t have the honor to still have him in our presence but his great works will live on for many years to come.
This diminutive man possessed too much grit to allow financial problems to keep him down and he took a job as the Editor of the Ravenna section of f the Irvine Times. He also became involved civically as a charter member of the local Kiwanis Club and was elected president of that organization in 1930.
Being editor of the local paper and president of the Kiwanis Club provided him with a unique opportunity to promote community projects. As a result, two of his most significant contributions to Estill County occurred during this period. The first was getting Carhartt, Inc., which today is Estill County’s largest employer, to locate a factory in Irvine. His second accomplishment was establishing the local Troop of the Boy Scouts and serving as Scoutmaster for many years.
This man of many talents also served a term as City Clerk in Ravenna, held the position of Traffic Manager for Carhartt, Inc., and taught a Sunday School class at the Ravenna Christian Church for 25 years. Mr. Yeager was recognized on several occasions for his contributions to the county including being awarded scouting’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award, had a campsite named after him for his work with the Boy Scouts and the Chamber of Commerce selected him for the Outstanding Citizen Award of 1950.
Perhaps his most enduring legacy is the improved standard of living that so many of our citizens enjoy today, due in part to the good works of Mr. Yeager. Wages earned at the Carhartt plant have clothed, fed and educated hundreds of our citizens. The values instilled through his scouting efforts have encouraged dozens of local youths to lead more productive and satisfying lives.
Mr. Yeager died on May 26, 1952, at the age of sixty-three. He was married to Mable Dedman and together they had one son, the late Joseph Linder Yeager. Mr. Yeager was a compassionate, unassuming person who repeatedly demonstrated his love for Estill County and its people. Although he suffered greatly from the Depression his upbeat attitude was a beacon of hope for the counties needy and dispossessed. We don’t have the honor to still have him in our presence but his great works will live on for many years to come.