William P. Yeoman, well-known as a successful business man of Waukegan, was born in
Probus, Cornwall, England, on the 11th of September, 1834. A sketch of his parents, James and
Elizabeth (Pentecost) Yeoman, appears in connection with that of Mrs. Hiram Ferry on another page of
this volume. Our subject is the second in a family of eleven children. He began his scholastic
training in the district schools and completed his literary education in the public schools of
Kenosha, Wis. When a young man of seventeen years he commenced to learn the jeweller’s trade at that
place, spending three years with R.O. Gottfredsen, a jeweller of Kenosha. He entered upon his
business career in the autumn of 1859, when he and his brother, John H., established themselves in
the jewellery business in Chicago. The following year they removed their stock to Waukegan and Mr.
Yeoman purchased his partner’s interest. For thirty years he has now carried on business in this
city, and in addition to the jewellery trade engages as a dealer in wallpaper, pianos, organs and
sewing machines. He is also interested in a music house in Chicago. On the 9th of June, 1868, he
invented and patented Yeoman’s wall paper trimmer, which has proved a decided success. It was the
first patent of the kind granted, and its usefulness is acknowledged by all engaged in the wall
paper business that have seen its workings. He also patented and manufactures Yeoman’s bundle horse,
Yeoman’s sample stand, and Yeoman’s revolving curtain exhibit. Besides this he has made several
patents in the line of jewellery, including improvements on ear-rings, shirt buttons, etc. He has
also invented and patented a barb wire tightener. As our readers will have already learned he
possesses great inventive genius, and has placed upon the market a number of most useful inventions
which are already netting him a good income.
In Maumee, Ohio, on the 6th of December, 1866, Mr. Yeoman wedded Julia Reynolds, a daughter of
George W. and Laura (Page) Reynolds. She was born in Maumee and is one of five children, three sons
and two daughters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Yeoman have been born four sons, the eldest of whom, William,
died at the age of eleven years; Louis J., George W. and Roy R., are still at home. Mr. Yeoman is a
Knight Templer Mason and a Republican in politics. He has been remarkably successful in business.
The stock he brought from Chicago amounted to but very little and the undertaking there had proved a
failure. Upon his return to Waukegan he purchased a small stock from George S. Wheeler for $125, and
was unable to pay cash for it. Now he has the largest stock in the city besides other valuable
interests, and is accounted one of the prominent and enterprising men of Lake County. Wide awake and
progressive he takes an interest in all public affairs that are calculated to upbuild and benefit
the community.