James B. Yates (born circa 1838)

The son of Beverly Page Yates and his wife, Willy Ann, James B. Yates was born in the colony of Liberia. He married Margaret Coker, daughter of the Reverend Philip Coker, but was left a widower when his young wife died in August 1862. Having earlier served as secretary to the Liberian Senate, Yates was first elected to Liberia's House of Representatives from Montserrado County in 1865. He was subsequently appointed treasurer of the republic by President James Skivring Smith in 1871, and next served as Liberia's postmaster general under President Joseph Jenkins Roberts. Outside the political arena, Yates was active in Monrovia's Trinity Church, where he was elected to the posts of vestryman and church treasurer.

James B. Yates poses with pen in hand for this portrait documenting his role as secretary to the Liberian Senate during his father's term as Vice President.

Attributed to Augustus Washington
Sixth-plate daguerreotype, circa 1857
Image courtesy Prints and Photographs Division
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Click here to view the Liberian Senate watercolor.