John Yunk Biography



As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.




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 is most admirable. His parents were Henry and Anna (Dixter) Yunk, who crossed the Atlantic to the United States with their family in 1873 and made their way to Wisconsin, settling at Union Grove, where they remained for three or four years. The father continued his residence in Kenosha County until 1892, and then removed to Waukegan, where he 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 widow still resides in Waukegan.

John Yunk was in his third year when brought by his parents to the United States, so that his education was acquired in the schools of Kenosha County. 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, and for ten years he continued to work as a farm hand, having several employers during that period. He was ambitious, however, to engage in farming on his own account and at the end of that decade he rented one hundred and sixty 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, 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. Yunk, John 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 Woodmen camp at Somers. 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.

Typed by: Michelle Laycock