William Yandell 1842-1900 El Paso, Texas

William Martin Yandell was born in 1842 near Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee. He enlisted in the confederate Army in 1861 at 18 years of age, but was discharged when a respiratory problem was discovered, he was asthmatic. On his third attempt to enlist, he was assigned to duty with the hospital service and he was a member of the famous Orphan Brigade of Kentucky. At the age of 23, he retired in 1865 with the rank of colonel. He moved to El Paso in 1887 after trying to find a location that was beneficial to his respiratory climate. He registered for and completed post-graduate work at Gross Medical College in Denver. Upon receiving his diploma, he was immediately appointed county physician and health officer by the El Paso City Council, a position he held forthe remainder of his life. In 1893 Governor James S. Hogg appointed him state quarantine officer and he served under Governors Charles A. Culberson and Joseph D. Sayers. In July of 1920, the City Council honored the man who had done more to advertise El Paso than anyone else, by adding the name of Yandell to the name of Boulevard, known as the longest street in the city, stretching from the west side viaduct to the Tejas addition near the refineries to the east. Recognition came to Dr. Yandell in many ways. He became a valued member of the State Committee on Industrial Education. He served on the executive committee of the John C. Brown Camp of Confederate veterans. The Ninth Annual Texas State Fair and Exposition, which opened in 1894, named Dr. Yandell as honorary vice president. He was appointed a member of Ross Memorial Committee of Texas headed by Governor Culberson. The Kentuckians at the Dallas Fair invited him to address them on Kentucky Day. He served for many years as a vice president of the Volunteer Fire Department of El Paso. On March 23, 1900, Dr. William Martin Yandell died during a severe attack of asthma.

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: El Paso County Historical Society

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History