Theodore Yates, a native of Herkimer County, New York, was born on September 25, 1832. He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his parents in 1841. In 1849, he relocated to St. Louis and engaged in a “mercantile business.”

Yates was commissioned captain of Company H, 1st Missouri Infantry on April 25, 1861. He served through the Wilson’s Creek campaign, and was severely wounded at the battle. Yates was transferred to the Regular Army in recognition for his service at Wilson’s Creek, and was mustered out of the 1st Missouri and joined the 13th U.S. Infantry as a captain in October 1861.

After the war, Yates was assigned to recruiting duty in Milwaukee, and retired as a colonel in 1867. That same year he was assigned to command the Northwestern Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Milwaukee, and resigned in 1869. He was given a brevet promotion to major in 1865 for gallant and meritorious service in the siege of Vicksburg.

A chronic invalid toward the end of his life due to his wounds, Yates died from pneumonia on January 15, 1899, and is buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Carte-de-Visite by unknown photographer.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 12191