YOAKUM, FRANKLIN L. (1819-1891). Franklin L. Yoakum, physician and college president, son of George and Mary Ann (Maddy) Yoakum, was born on November 14, 1819, in Yoakum's Valley, Claiborne County, Tennessee. He and his two brothers, Madison and Henderson Yoakum,^qv moved to Texas in 1845. F. L. Yoakum settled in Limestone County to practice medicine but soon became a teacher in Tehuacana College. In 1855 he moved to Cherokee County to become president of Larissa College. He served in that capacity until 1866. After the Civil War^qv Yoakum devoted his time mainly to medicine until he retired. With Samuel B. Buckley,^qv he founded the Texas Academy of Science in October 1880. This institution lasted until 1886. Yoakum wrote feature articles for local newspapers on natural history and horticulture. He was twice married, first to Mrs. Elizabeth Wright and after her death to Mrs. Narcissus (Teague) Key. Yoakum died in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1891.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: S. W. Geiser, "Men of Science in Texas, 1820-1880," Field and Laboratory 26-27 (July-October 1958, October 1959).

L. W. Kemp