Bio: Yerke, Louis (Commemorative Bio - 1895)

Poster: Crystal Wendt

Louis Yerke

Louis Yerke, who was for several years a prominent business man of Lincoln County, is now holding the office of the county clerk, the duties of which he discharges in a prompt and able manner. He was born on the 19th of June, 1858, in Green Lake County, Wis., and is a son of Michael Yerke, a native of Northern Prussia, where his birth occurred in October, 1819. In Germany the father was married, Caroline Missahl becoming his wife, and their two children were born, Frederick and Pauline. After coming to this country the family circle was increased by the birth of four others, Caroline, Louis, Charles and Minnie. In 1855 they left the Fatherland, and after their arrival in the New World made their first location in Green Lake County, Wis., where the father still resides, being one of the leading farmers of that community. His first land was a wild, uncultivated tract, but he began its improvement, making it one of the best farms of the county. During the Civil War he enlisted among the boys in blue, aiding in the defense of his adopted country and in time of peace has also been a loyal citizen.

In the common schools of Wisconsin Louis Yerke received his school training, and in the work of the home farm he assisted until he has reached the age of twenty-five, when he decided to give up agriculture. He then began merchandising in connection with William Bohn, starting a general store at Manchester, Green Lake County, which they conducted some five years, when our subject removed to Tomahawk, Wis., where, under the dame firm name, he also carried on the mercantile business until 1888, when the partnership was dissolved. In that year he began carpenter work, aiding in the erection of some of the best buildings in the county, and followed that trade until his election to the office of country clerk in the fall of 1894, when he removed to Merrill.

An important event in the life of Mr. Yerke occurred in September, 1885, when he was united in marriage with Augusta Weinkauf, a native of Green Lake County, Wis., and a daughter of Krist and Rose (Berger) Weinkauf. Her parents were both born in Prussia, removing to this country when young, where their wedding was celebrated. They had a family of ten children. By the union of our subject and his wife have been born four children: Clara, Ella, Carl and Fred.

In politics Mr. Yerke is prominently indentified with the Democrats of Lincoln County, firmly supporting the principles off the party by voice and vote whenever time and occasion offer. His popularity is shown by his election of office in a county that is strongly Republican, and his course in public life has always been above reproach, reflecting honor not only upon himself, but also upon his fellow citizens who elected him to office. For three years he served as postmaster of Manchester. Religiously he holds member with the German Lutheran Church.

---Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin Counties of Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Langlade and Shawano. publ. 1895 by J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago 1110 pages, illustrated; Page 702-703