Routt County CO Archives Biographies.....Yoast, William L. November 14, 1852 - ?
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 25, 2006, 8:00 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     Born and reared at Humansville, in the northwestern corner of Polk county,
Missouri, and living since most of the time in the rural districts of Colorado,
William L. Yoast, of Routt county, whose well improved and highly cultivated
ranch is located fourteen miles southeast of Hayden, has passed nearly the whole
of his life on the frontier and is therefore well acquainted with every phase of
its strenuous but interesting requirements.  His life began on November 14,
1852, and he grew to manhood on the paternal farm, assisting in its exacting
labors, sharing its privations, incident to farm life in the far west at all
times, and receiving such intellectual culture as was available at the primitive
country schools of his day and locality.  In 1873, when he was twenty-one years
of age, he began the business of life for himself, farming and raising stock in
his native county until 1888.  With the industry and frugality which were parts
of his home training, he succeeded in his undertaking.  But his success only
served to fire his ambition for larger results and accordingly he sought the
wider and more varied opportunities for advancement offered by this state, and,
coming to the neighborhood of Denver, he bought a ranch on which he lived until
1890.  Then returning east some distance, he located in Ness county, Kansas, and
tried his hand at raising sheep.  A severe winter cleaned him up financially and
cured him of the desire to continue his operations in that state and the line
which had proved so disastrous.  He then came once more to Colorado and again
located in the vicinity of Denver in the fall of 1891, passing two years on a
leased ranch.  In 1893 he moved to the neighborhood of Williams Park and
homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land which was then covered with wild
sage brush and had never felt the master hand of systematic husbandry.  This he
set to work to improve and cultivate with an industry and skill which have
transformed it into a fine and productive farm, yielding large annual crops of
hay and grain, and supporting generously his large and choice herds of cattle. 
In his section he is prominent and progressive, influential and intelligent in
reference to public affairs and well esteemed by all who know him.  Although an
earnest Democrat in political faith and devoted to the success of his party, he
does not seek public office, but prefers to serve his community from the
honorable post of private citizenship.  On June 27, 1876, he was joined in
wedlock with Miss Mary E. Swinck, a native of Kentucky.  They have nine
children, John H., James M., Mary A., William W., Bessie M., Elmer A.,
Frederick, Alva B. and Clarissa C.  Mr. Yoast’s parents, Hugh and Mary Yoast,
were born, respectively, in Tennessee and Virginia.  The mother died in 1886,
and the father is still living and actively engaged in farming in Polk county,
Missouri.  Their family numbered eleven, of whom Allie, Susan, Columbus and an
infant are dead, and William L., Frank, James, Annie, Margaret, Julia and Mary
are living.  

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/routt/bios/yoast449gbs.txt

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