The 1850 United States census showed Jeremiah B. Yates (age 21, born in New York, farmer) living with his parents David (age 54, born in New Jersey, farmer) and Lydia (age 54, born in Vermont) in Fountain Prairie Township, Columbia County, Wisconsin. Another sibling, Emma F. (age 13, born in New York), also lived with the couple.

The 1860 United States census showed Jeremiah B. Yates (age 31, born in New York, farmer) living in Lansing, Minnesota.

The 1870 United States census showed J. B. Yates (age 41, born in New York, produce dealer) married to Rebecca A. (age 26, born in New York) and living in Austin, Minnesota. Children James T. (age 5, born in Minnesota) and Mary (age 2, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

The 1880 United States census showed Jerry Yates (age 51, born in New York, farmer) married to Rebecca (age 36, born in New York) and living in Lansing, Minnesota. A son, James (age 15, born in Minnesota), also lived with the couple.

Jerry B. Yates was born in Lockport, N. Y., in 1829. He came to Austin in 1855. In partnership with V. P. Lewis he opened the second store here. They also turned their attention to town lots, and in April, 1856, arose the familiar controversy concerning the records of the platting of Austin. At the first election in the county Mr. Yates was elected sheriff on the west side ticket by 46 majority. Yates and Lewis started the first brickyard in Austin. Finally their partnership was dissolved and Mr. Yates engaged in the grain business for a while, then moved to his fine farm near Lansing. He stayed there four years and then engaged in extensive insurance business until the time of his final illness. (The History of Mower County Minnesota, Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., Chicago, 1911, Page 980)

Jeremiah B. Yates died in Ramsey, Minnesota, January 20, 1891.