Obit: Youmans, Clarion A. (1847 - 1906)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: YOUMANS FRENCH

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner 7/19/1906

DEATH OF C.A. YOUMANS

Clarion A. Youmans died at his home at Neillsville, Clark County about six o'clock Monday night, July 9, 1906.

For more than a year his health has been poor and from the first his physical breakdown was steady and rapid. By his death Neillsville has lost one of its most energetic and devoted citizens. When in health and strength he was alert to all public interest, eager to know the latest word for progress and tireless in doing with his might what his hand found to do.

Mr. Youmans was born in Kenosha, Wis., Oct. 14, 1847. His ancestors on both his father's and mother's side came from old New York state families which had among them men and women whose names have become famous. His early life was spent in Columbia County, Wis., where his parents moved when he was a small boy. His education was obtained in the country schools at Poynette. He worked for a time in a general store in Poynette and in 1872 came to Neillsville to engage in similar work here. In 1875 he entered the Law School at Madison, graduating the next year, and immediately returned to Neillsville to practice, forming a partnership with M. C. Ring, which continued until 1891. Their law practice was very successful and together they became interested in other lines of business.

Mr. Youmans early took an active interest in Clark County politics. In 1877 he was appointed county judge by the governor to fill a vacancy. He was elected district attorney in 1881 and in 1894 was elected state senator of this district, then consisting of Clark and Eau Claire Counties. He was one of the most active members of the legislature during the time he was in that body. During all the years of business and political activity he never lost interest in his boyhood's experience on the farm, and besides his interests in timber lands he has for many years owned and operated a large farm on Pleasant Ridge east of the city. His interest in farming was more than a mere matter of business it was almost a passion for the scientific side of farming. He was intensely fond of his farm and crops and stock and studied their problems with the same nervous energy which characterized all his work.

During the years of Mr. Youman's experience in business and politics, his intense activity and earnestness bringing him in contact with men in various ways, may have made him enemies but they have always found him a manly and candid opponent, sincere in the things for which he fought, a hater of shams, despising cant, either political, religious or civic, and intensely devoted to those things which his reason and conscience pronounced sane and right. No more public spirited citizen ever lived in Neillsville. He believed in this community and its possibilities and was ever ready to work for its interests, sparing nothing in his power for its advancement.

Mr. Youmans was married Jan. 10, 1877 to Miss Nettie French, daughter of the late B.F. French she, with her three children, Guy, Viola and Adda Beth, survive him.

His home life was ideal. His devotion as husband and father no one outside the family has a right to attempt to describe, and no words of sympathy at this time can in any but a meager measure mitigate the grief of those who with anxious hearts and tenderest care have watched his fading strength through the last year.

He was a prominent member of the order of Free Masons, and past master in the Neillsville Lodge. The funeral will be held under the auspices of the Masons at the home today (Thursday) at 2 o'clock p.m. (Rep Press)