Laurence (Larry) Yeast was born in McLean County June 11, 1915. Yeast was a Bloomington High School graduate and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Yeast served his community through participation in civic programs and committees. He had an avid interest in history, especially Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. He was a well known Bloomington-Normal resident, best known for his labor union activities which spanned a 52-year period. His leadership on behalf of securing optimum wages and working conditions for factory workers earned him the respect of both the union members and company officials.
Yeast was employed by Funk Seed Brothers in 1934 and Beatrice Creamery Company in 1935. He worked at Normal Sanitary Dairy from 1935-1941, Eureka-Williams Corporation (as a machinist) from 1941-1956. Yeast was instrumental in organizing the Dairy for the Teamsters Union in 1937. He became a member of the International Association of the Machinists and was a member for over 58 years. After retiring in 1978 Yeast continued to be active, participating in legislative affairs at the local, state, and national levels. Laurence passed away June 4, 2007.
Most of this collection was found in the curbside trash in Bloomington, Illinois by Shirley English.
This collection contains tax records, financial records, ration books, personal correspondence, and draft cards.