WI BIO - Kenosha Co - YULE, Benjamin F. (stepbrother of George YULE)

History of Kenosha & Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman. Chicago: Clarke 
Publishing Co., 1916, vol II, pp 711-712

Benjamin F. YULE is the owner of thirty-six acres of land in and near Somers 
[located in Racine County from 1836 until Kenosha County was created 26 
January 1850; and in the Territory of Wisconsin from 20 April 1836 until the 
State of Wisconsin created 29 May 1848]. He formerly conducted farming 
interests on a much more extensive scale and for a long period he was 
identified with industrial activity as a carpenter.

Benjamin F. YULE was born in Somers [Kenosha County, Wisconsin] 17 November 
1851, his parents being Alexander and Jane (WATSON) YULE, who were natives of 
Scotland. Leaving the land of hills and heather, they arrived in the United 
States in 1849 and almost immediately afterward settled in Somers Township, 
Kenosha County [then still part of Racine County], Wisconsin [Territory], 
where Mr. [Alexander] YULE purchased 240 acres of land, then largely wild and 
undeveloped. He bent his energies to its cultivation and for twenty years 
engaged in farming upon that place, but desirous of putting aside the more 
active duties of agricultural life, he left the old homestead and made an 
investment in a small tract of land of thirteen acres, upon which he lived 
until his demise.

He [Alexander YULE] was married twice and by his first union [to Margaret nee 
LEEDS] had seven [eight?] children: William, James, Alexander, George, John, 
Couts [Cutes?], and Beatrice. [Note that this biography omits Mary, who died 
in infancy, who is not the same person as Mary (YULE) HEDDLE, an offspring of 
Alexander's second marriage.] The children of his [Alexander YULE's] second 
marriage [to Jane nee WATSON] were nine [ten?] in number: Mary, Joseph, 
Thomas, Ann [Anna?], Henry, Robert, Andrew, Benjamin [the subject of this 
biography], and Edward. [Note that this biography omits Frank, a child of 
Alexander YULE's second marriage.] Mr. [Alexander] YULE was a Democrat in 
his political views, and a Presbyterian in religious faith, and his upright, 
honorable life won him the respect and goodwill of all with whom he came in 
contact. [Thus Alexander YULE had eighteen children, eight from his first 
marriage and ten from the second marriage.]

His [Alexander YULE's] son, Benjamin F. YULE, attended the common schools to 
the age of seventeen years, afterward spent one term in the high school at 
Racine [Racine County, Wisconsin], and then began learning the carpenter's 
trade, at which he worked for forty years. He next engaged in farming, 
making investment in 110 acres of land, which he cultivated for a 
considerable period, but afterward sold 80 acres of that tract. He [Benjamin 
F. YULE] now owns thirty-six acres of land in and near Somers, and gives his 
attention to the development of his farm. His has been an active and useful 
life, crowned with a substantial measure of success, and his record proves 
what may be accomplished when energy and laudable ambition lead the way.

In 1878 Mr. [Benjamin F.] YULE was married to Miss Jessie M. STRANG, a 
daughter of Robert STRANG. Benjamin F. and Jessie M. (STRANG) YULE have 
become the parents of six children: (1) Mabel, who is the wife of Edward 
LONGMORE and has one child; (2) Blanche, who is the wife of James THOM and 
has four children; (3) Clarence, a resident of Iowa; (4) Edith, who married 
C. A. JENSEN and has three children; (5) Earl, living in the town of Somers 
[Kenosha County, Wisconsin]; and (6) Everett, at home. [Numbering of all 
children in this biography added by submitter and is not indicative of order 
of birth.]

The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, and 
they are interested in all those forces which work for the moral development 
of the community. Mr. [Benjamin F.] YULE is a Mason, loyal to the teachings 
of the craft, and is also identified with the Modern Woodmen. His political 
endorsement is given to the Republican party and, while he does not seek nor 
desire public office, he has never been remiss in the duties of citizenship, 
but supports those measures which are matters of civic virtue and pride.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly