Has certain structural affinities to Geum - what do the basal leaves look like?

Here that would be Agrimonia eupatoria. I don’t know whether that occurs in the OP‘s area or what the equivalent species would be. Rosaceae, so hence similarity to Geum.

Embothrium, white avens is one of my favorite wild plants and it crossed my mind that this looked a lot like it, except yellow. After your comment, I looked it up and found Geum aleppicum which grows here. I think you nailed it.

It’s not Geum allepicum which does not have spikes of multiple flowers. Look at the rows of fruits along the stem. Completely unlike the Geum. It’s an Agrimony. The only question is which species. Did you look at Agrimonias? Here is one species which grows in N America https://www.florafinder.org/Species/Agrimonia_gryposepala.php

Yes, Agrimonia gryposepala does grow in my county. I notice that species has hairs on the stem and doing a zoom on my plant, it also has hairs. Here is another picture I took. I found the plant quite deep in the woods so I won't be going back for more research. Sadly, I'm not able to do that anymore.

Judging by the two different fruit types in that picture you have both an Agrimonia and a Geum there. Your first three pix only showed the Agrimonia.

LOL, aargh! I may have to give in and return for more pictures. I'm just not sure where to find the plant.