Yeakel, Reuben

Reuben Yeakel (1827-1904) was an American Evangelical Association editor and bishop. His pastoral ministry began in 1853 in the East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association. In 1855 he married Sarah Schubert. After Sarah's death he married Caroline Schloser Klein, widow of John Klein.

Yeakel was elected the first corresponding secretary of the missionary society in 1859. In 1863 he became an editor of Sunday school literature, including The Sunday School Messenger. Subsequently, he edited two general church periodicals: The Evangelical Messenger (1871) and (as assistant editor) Der Christliche Botschafter (1833). He supported holiness teachings and was a prominent member of the National Holiness Association, working with John Inskip and W. MacDonald. In 1870 he co-founded The Living Epistle, the first and only holiness magazine of his denomination. Yeakel became bishop in 1871, a position he held until 1879. He was principal of Union Biblical Institute (later named Evangelical Theological Seminary) from 1879 to 1883.

Yeakel published several important works: Jacob Albrecht und seine Mitarbeiter, 1879 and 1883 (English); The Church Discipline, Doctrine, and Confession of Faith, 1899; The Genius of the Evangelical Church, 1900; "Geschichte der Evangelischen Gemeinschaft, Vol. I, 1890 and 1894 (English), Vol. II, 1895 (English); and Bishop Joseph Long, 1897.