Obit: Youmans, Jonas Hamilton (17 Jun 1817 - 15 Oct 1899)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: YOUMANS SILL BOSWORTH KIMBALL

----Source: Clark County Republican Press (Neillsville, Wis.) 10/19/1899

Youmans, Jonas Hamilton (17 Jun 1817 - 15 Oct 1899)

Jonas Hamilton Youmans, died at the home of his son, C.A. Youmans, Sunday, Oct. 15, 1899, of peritonitis, caused by an accidental fall on the Monday before. He was born in the town of Coeymans, Albany County, N.Y., June 17, 1817, and was therefore at the time of his death 82 years, 3 months and 28 days old.

When about one year old he removed with his parents into Genesee Co., N.Y., where on June 8, 1842 , he married Adeline Sill, whom he survived eleven years. In 1843 he removed to Buffalo, N.Y.,, where he pursued his occupation as a carpenter until 1845, when with his family he came to this state, settling at first at Kenosha, then Southport, and in 1852 located on what was known as Empire Prairie, now the town of Arlington, Columbia County, where he purchased state land and engaged in farming, and at the same time doing carpenter work, thus adding in that way to support his family while making improvements on his farm. He continued to live on his farm and at Poynette until 1872 when he removed to Baron Co., where one of his sons had engaged in business, and remained there until he came to this city (Neillsville, Clark County) in 1882, where he has since resided. He is survived by two sons and two daughters, H.J. Youmans, of Platteville, Wis., C.A. Youmans, of this city, Mrs. Ada E. Bosworth, of Barron Co., and Mrs. Mattie F. Kimball, of this city, all of whom were present at his interment. He belonged to the old puritan stock of New England and to a family noted for longevity. His father, Jeremiah Youmans, was born more than one hundred thirty years ago, and the subject of this sketch was the last one of a large family to pass away, having survived by eleven years his brother Vincent Youmans of N.Y., who at the advanced age of 93 years was killed by a train.

Samuel Youmans, the great-grandfather of Jonas Hamilton Youmans was of English descent and was born on Long Island about 1700. He was a wheelwright. He moved from Long Island to Fishkill-on-the-Hudson about 1820.

His sons were farmers and about 1770-75, when the cheap land on the west side of the Hudson below Albany was opened to emigrants, these men, John and Anthony, emigrated with their growing families and settled at Coeymans on what was known as "leased land" and it was here that Jeremiah Youmans, the father of Jonas Hamilton was born in 1788, and where a portion of the family still continues to reside.

For many years Jonas Hamilton Youmans followed the occupation of a carpenter, and while he had the reputation of being a slow workman, no one ever questioned the quality of his work. The same sturdy honesty which ever characterized his life was thrown into his chisel and mallet and he was never known to make a poor joint, and many building still stand in this state as monuments to his industry, integrity and efficiency. In politics he was always a republican, though for a time acting and voting with the prohibition party. He was strong in his opinions, very aggressive at times, and in argument of times intolerant and unrelenting. Having once made up his mind what was right for him he stood firmly by his convictions, openly and boldly. He was deeply religious and for more than forty years was associated with the orthodox churches. He was kindly and affectionate and strongly attached to his family and friends. He was entirely void of show and ostentations and ever endeavored his full duty as he (could not read a couple of words) of consequences.

Funeral services were held at the residence of C.A. Youmans, Revs. Hendren and Longenecker officiating, music being furnished by a male quartet, and the body was interred by the side of his wife's remains in the Neillsville Cemetery.