BIOGRAPHIES: Robert YOURELL, Eau Galle, Dunn Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Laura Abood 02 September 2003 ************************************************************************ Robert Yourell, a pioneer of Dunn County, whose industrial career as lumber worker and farmer was connected largely with the development of the town of Eau Galle, where he is still living, and is still more or less active, was born in Canada just across the river from Niagara Falls, on Jan. 6, 1855, son of Edward and Margaret (Mason) Yourell. The father was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and the mother of Montreal, Canada. Married in the state of New York, they came west in 1856 to Dunn County, Wisconsin, settling in the village of Eau Galle, where Mr. Yourell found employment with the lumber firm of Carson, Eaton & Rand, later known as Carson & Rand. For seven years while in the employ of this concern he drove the same pair of mules. At the end of that period he began farming on an 80-acre tract of land in Section 34, it being the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of that section. It had been taken up by his father-in-law, Robert Dixon. Edward Yourell served two and a half years in the Civil War as a member of Company G, 37th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Petersburg and was for some time confined in a hospital, but recovered in time to take part in the Grand Review in Washington after the surrender of Lee and Johnston, which brought the war to an end. After receiving an honorable discharge, Edward Yourell returned home to his farm, which he continued to operate until 1870. Then selling it, he went to Cadott Falls, Chippewa County, Wis., and there bought 320 acres of land in Section 12, Township 26 N, Range 14 W (town of Edson, Chippewa County), and on his land he kept a stopping-place for "tote" lumber teams. There he died on Oct. 20, 1878. His wife, who survived him 13 years and a few days, passed away on Feb. 23, 1891. They had five children: Robert, subject of this sketch; Jeanette, who married James Karns and lives in Oregon; Nina, wife of James Hennigan of Montana; Emma, now Mrs. John Davis and residing in Illinois; and Edward, who lives in Outlook, Canada. Robert Yourell, who was a babe when his parents settled in the village of Eau Galle, later attended the local school, which was then conducted in an end room of the Carson, Eaton & Rand boarding-house. He continued to live with his parents until he was 16 years old, at which time he went to work in the Robinson Mills in Eau Claire County. His activities for some nine years thereafter were connected with the lumber industry. For five years he was employed in the company's boardinghouse, as "cookie" and cook, and at times cooked in logging camps and drove "tote" teams, continuing to be thus employed until he was 25 years old. During this period for one year he drove the stage coach between Eau Claire and Chippewa. He then considered that it was time for him to strike out in an independent career that should lead to future prosperity and comfort, instead of being a wage earner all his life, and so naturally turned to farming, in which there was abundant opportunity for a strong and active youth to make his way. He had all the greater reason for doing this from the fact that in that year, on April 9, he was united in marriage with Mary Wilson. He was fortunate in receiving a present of land from his grandparents, Robert and Jeanette Dixon, which comprised 80 acres, being the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 34, town of Eau Galle. This tract had been placed in his name years before. The locality was known as "Barney Branch," and a part of the 80-acre tract was the first land cleared in the valley. Mr. Yourell's maternal grandparents, above referred to, were still living here and, it may be said-to anticipate events- that he subsequently cared for them until their death, Robert Dixon passing away on July 12, 1889, and his wife, Jeanette, several years previously, on July 18, 1884. Mr. Yourell has since continued to live on the farm except for an occasional short absence, when he resumed his old occupation of cook for a few months; also in 1923 he spent eight months at Ceylon, Saskatchewan, Canada, on the large farm of his son, Henry. The first buildings on his own farm were erected by his grandfather, Robert Dixon, the house being a log shanty with a "scoop" roof, the out-buildings being also of primitive construction. In 1912 Mr. Yourell completed his present set of building, which are of modern type, substantial and commodious. He now has about 60 acres of his land cleared and developed, and occupies a recognized position in the community as a good, practical farmer and reliable citizen, his personal popularity being widespread. In spite of occasional absences, his home has been in Dunn County for 67 years, and he my be regarded, therefore, as one of the oldest pioneers now living in the county, though he is but 70 years old. For 14 years he served as road commissioner of Road District No. 3, and showed conscientious fidelity to his duties. He and his wife have been the parents of seven children, Edward C., Henry, Anna B., Myrtle, Nina and Robert W., whose respective records are, in brief, as follows. Edward C., born Feb. 27, 1881, is now manager of the large department store of the Robinson Company at Los Angeles, Calif. He was married, April 5, 1905, to Inez McLaughlin, and has four children, Dorothy, Maxina, Eugene and Axzena. Henry, born May 11, 1884, owns an entire section (640) acres of land. He was married, July 12, 1910, to Tilda Meixner, and has two children, Beulah and Catherine. Anna B., born June 7, 1886, was married June 28, 1909, to William Poquette of the village of Eau Galle, and has a daughter, Maggie M., who was born Feb. 10, 1889, and who is living with her parents. Myrtle, born Jan. 5, 1893, was married June 9, 1916, to Lyman Whipp, and lives at Rock Elm, Pierce County, Wis. She is the mother of three children, Garland, Lyle and Blaine. Nina. born Dec. 8, 1895, was married Jan. 1, 1913, to Herman Weber, and lives in the town of Weston, Dunn County. She has three children, Darrell, Dorothy and Mabel. Robert W., born April 5, 1901, was married on Feb. 2, 1923, to Gladys Sand. They live in Menomonie and have one child, Loraine. The religious affiliations of the Yourell family are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. -Transcribed from the "History of Dunn County, Wisconsin, 1925", page 677 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm