Obit: Yankee, Herman Frederick (1865 - 1939)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Yankee, Longenecker, Caskaden, Krumrey, Bothrel, Goetchlinger, Cornest, Gassen, Campbell, Donahue, Matson, Dresden, Schwahn, Koester, Knorr, Velten, Fuller, Fradenburgh, Kretchmer, Fristad, Johnson, Lefsted, Solie

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Thurs., 26 Oct. 1939

Yankee, Herman Frederick (4 Aug. 1865 - 24 Oct. 1939)

Herman F. Yankee, 74, expired at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 24, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law on West Fifth Street. Mr. Yankee had been ill since last January but, had not been confined to his bed until last Thursday.

Funeral services will be held at the Congregational church Thursday at 2 p.m., the Rev. G. W. Longenecker officiating. Interment will be made in the family lot here.

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----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Thurs., 2 Nov. 1939

Herman Frederick Yankee passed away at the home of his son, Arnold, Tuesday morning, October 24, 1939, at 3:30 o’clock after a short illness. He was born in Stettin, Province of East Prussia, Germany; August 4, 1885.

His mother died when he was a small child and at the age of four years his father immigrated to America with him and his brother, William (who preceded him in death eight years ago) and settled in Dale, Wis., where other relatives were already living. There the father, Henry Yankee, married again and the boys made their home with their aunt and uncle.

At the age of fourteen he started out to pave his own way, working on farms in the summer and logging camps in winter, which were then the chief industries. Coming to Clark County in 1870, both brothers engaged in this work in the winter and heavy log driving in the spring. Here Mr. Yankee attained the reputation of being one of the best log drivers on Black and Yellow River waters, where he worked for George Weisner and the John Paul Lumber Company.

Mr. Yankee was brought up in the Lutheran Faith. On June 10, 1888, he was united in marriage to Ida Caskaden of Neillsville, who preceded him in death 14 years ago. Here they built their home and for many years Mr. Yankee worked as a drayman for C. Krumrey. Then he went in business for himself and later became Mr. Krumey’s partner. After the dissolution of his partnership he continued in the dray and delivery business until he retired about three years ago. He had since made his home with his son. Mr. Yankee’s work kept him under a heavy strain throughout the years, yet he was always agreeable and even-tempered. He was fair and strictly honest in his business transactions. As he dealt with the public, so was he in his home. His hobbies were horses and the outdoor life. He had been a member of the Neillsville Modern Woodman lodge since 1909.

Surviving are his son, Arnold Hugh, Neillsville; eight half brothers and sisters; Mrs. Barney Bothrel, Cadott; Mrs. Charles Goetchlinger, Ill.; Arthur Yankee, Bernhardt Yankee, and Saul Yankee, Medina; Johr Yankee, Fremont, Wis.; Henry and Floyd, Williston, N. D.; and host of friends.

Last rites were conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 26, from the home and Congregational church, Rev. G. W. Longenecker officiating. Interment was made in the Neillsville Cemetery.

The pallbearers were Louis Cornest, Carl Gassen, Ezra Campbell, James Donahue, Emil Matson, and Bert Dresden.

Friends and relatives from distant points who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. John Yankee, Fremont, Wis.; Arthur Yankee, Bernhardt Yankee, Medina; Mr. and Mrs. Emil Schwahn, Mrs. Henry Koester, Appleton; Miss Ann Knorr, Neenah; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Velten, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hraben, Tony, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Carskaden, St. Paul, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Fuller, Chaska, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Archie Fradenburgh, Mr. and Mrs. Morris Kretchmer, Dr. Schwarz, Nordel Fristad, Humbird, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Hans Johnson, Mrs. Lefsted, and Mrs. Susie Solie, Eau Claire.