WI BIO - Kenosha Co - YUNK, John History of Kenosha & Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman. Chicago: Clarke Publishing Co., 1916, vol II, pp 515-516 Kenosha County draws its citizenship from almost every civilized country on the face of the globe. Among those who have come from Holland is John YUNK, who was born in the little kingdom of dikes 19 February 1871, a kingdom whose record in the present world's crisis [First World War] is most admirable. His [John YUNK's] parents were Henry and Anna (DIXTER) YUNK, who crossed the Atlantic to the United States with their family in 1873 [1874?] and made their way to Wisconsin, settling at Union Grove [Racine County], where they remained for three or four years. The father [Henry YUNK] continued his residence in Kenosha County until 1892, and then removed to Waukegan [Lake County, Illinois, just across the state line from Kenosha County], where he [Henry YUNK] entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, continuing in that connection until about a year prior to his death, which occurred in 1911. His [Henry YUNK's] widow [Anna (DIXTER) YUNK] still resides in Waukegan. John YUNK was in his third [second?] year when brought by his parents to the United States, so that his education was acquired in the schools of Kenosha County. [Assuming John YUNK's given birthdate is correct, he would have been three years of age from 19 February 1874 to 19 February 1875; note the previous paragraph states the family came to the United States in 1873.] He pursued his studies to the age of fifteen and then started out to earn his own living. For eight months he was employed by Albert BARTER of Pleasant Prairie Township [Kenosha County, Wisconsin], and for ten years he continued to work as a farm hand, having several employers during that period. He [John YUNK] was ambitious, however, to engage in farming on his own account and at the end of that decade he rented [p 516] 160 acres of land from S. S. STRONG and resided thereon for eight years. On the expiration of that period, with the capital which he had saved, resulting from his industry and frugality, he purchased the Henry WEILAND farm of forty-nine and one half acres and owned and operated that place for four and one-half years. Upon selling out he purchased sixty-six acres on Section 15, Somers Township [Kenosha County, Wisconsin], and has resided thereon continuously since 1910. During the intervening period of six years he has made many improvements upon the place and is now largely engaged in dairying, keeping high grade cows for that purpose and having all of the equipment of a modern and model dairy farm. On the 11 April 1899 Mr. [John] YUNK was united in marriage to Miss Lottie LEE, her father being Edward LEE, an early settler of Racine County, Wisconsin. To John and Lottie (LEE) YUNK have been born five children: George, Lucy, Marvin, Lila and Leslie. Fraternally Mr. YUNK is connected with the [Modern] Woodmen [of America] camp at Somers [Kenosha County]. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire public office. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his belief has guided him in all of his relations with his fellowmen, making him a reliable business man and an upright, honorable citizen. Submitted by Cathy Kubly