Lewis County, West Virginia Biography of Frank R. YOKE ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Valerie Crook, , July 1999 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 176 FRANK R. YOKE is superintendent of public schools at Weston, in his native county of Lewis, where various mem- bers of the Yoke family have been connected with school work for many years. Mr. Yoke was born on a farm in Lewis County July 3, 1880, son of S. G. and Helen A. (Wolverton) Yoke. His father was born in Lewis County January 19, 1847, and his mother in Calhoun County, West Virginia, January 9, 1859. Both parents availed themselves of the best possible edu- cational opportunities of their day, and both were teachers for some years. After their marriage they located on a farm, and S. G. Yoke continued teaching in addition to running the farm. He became a well known citizen of Lewis County, served eight years as county assessor, was active in the democratic party and in the Methodist Protestant Church, and was affiliated with the Masons and Odd Fellows. He was the father of three children, all of whom are college graduates. The oldest is Frank R. Grace finished her education and specialized in elocution at West Virginia University at Morgantown, and is now the wife of W. H. S. White, president of the State Normal School at Sheperdstown, West Virginia. The youngest child, Frenck, is a graduate of the State University with the A. B. degree, and is now superintendent of schools at Pied- mont, West Virginia. Frank R. Yoke grew up on a farm and attended the common schools until he was fifteen. In 1899 he graduated from the Fairmont State Normal School, and for one year taught in a rural district. He then entered West Virginia University at Morgantown, graduating A. B. in 1903, and in 1904 received the LL. B. degree from the Law School. He took his Master's degree in 1907. Mr. Yoke after graduat- ing opened an office and practiced law at Morgantown for a year, but left that profession to resume school work. He was elected and served two years as superintendent of the Richwood public schools. Then for a year he was assistant prosecuting attorney at Morgantown, and from this state went to Alabama and for one year was principal of the Coosa County High School. At Kingwood, West Virginia, he was superintendent of schools two years, and in 1913 was elected superintendent of public schools at Weston. He has been in charge of the city school administration for eight years, has throughout improved and raised the standards of efficiency, and largely for his work in Weston has a state wide reputation in educational circles. Mr. Yoke married Edna Jenkins, of Kingwood, Preston County. She is a graduate of the Kingwood High School. They have one daughter, Ann, born August 26, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Yoke are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and has sat in the Grand Lodge and has been deputy grand chancellor of his district. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a democrat in politics.