Henry M. Youmans

Who was Henry M. Youmans?

Henry Melville Youmans was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.

Youmans was born in Otego, New York and attended the common schools. He was in the employ of the York & Erie Railroad Co. on the Susquehanna division for ten years. He moved to East Saginaw, Michigan in 1862 and engaged in the manufacture of lumber and salt from 1863 to 1878. He moved to St. Clair County in 1878 and engaged in farming and lumbering until 1884 when he returned to East Saginaw. Youmans served as mayor of East Saginaw in 1886 and 1887, and also served four terms as alderman.

In the general election of 1890, Youmans ran as the candidate of the Democratic Party and defeated incumbent Republican Aaron T. Bliss to be elected from Michigan's 8th congressional district to the 52nd United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1891 to March 3, 1893. He was chairman of the Committee on Expenditures on Public Buildings. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1892, losing to Republican William S. Linton. He was also unsuccessful against Joseph W. Fordney in 1902.

After leaving Congress, Henry M. Youmans became a member of the Michigan Senate in 1896 and 1897. He engaged in agricultural pursuits in Bridgeport, Michigan until his death in Saginaw, where he was interred in Brady Hill Cemetery.