Youree was born in 1843 in Lafayette County in north central Missouri, to merchant P. E. Youree and the former M. M. Zimmerman. He was locally educated and received mercantile training in his father's store. He served with Missouri Confederate forces during the American Civil War and was wounded at Shiloh. This fierce battle was fought near the Tennessee River in southern Tennessee. He rose to the rank of captain of Slayback's Missouri Rifles and surrendered his company at Shreveport. After the war, Youree decided to settle in Shreveport, the seat of government of Caddo Parish, where he opened a mercantile and real estate business.
Marriage and family
On June 24, 1870, Youree married Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Scott of Scottsville in Harrison County, Texas, west of Shreveport. She was the daughter of Colonel W. T. Scott, a member of the Texas State Senate, whose family founded Scottsville. The couple had a son, William Scott Youree, and a daughter, Susie Rose Youree .
Shreveport career
For a time he owned the Shreveport Street Railway and was president of the Shreveport Waterworks Company. He became a member of the General Leroy Stafford Camp #3, United Confederate Veterans, in Shreveport. He commissioned the Confederate monument at Greenwood Cemetery on Stoner Avenue in honor of his comrades who are interred there. In 1888, Youree was elected president of the Merchants and Farmers Bank, and in 1891, he became president of the Commercial National Bank, a position which he held until his death. He served as president of the Louisiana Bankers Association from 1908-1909. In 1910 he directed the construction of Shreveport's first skyscraper, the ten-story Commercial National Bank Building, for the Association's headquarters. He also financed the construction of his large Youree Hotel, later called the Washington Youree Hotel, in downtown Shreveport. It continued to be a prominent building for decades. At the time of his passing, Youree's wealth was estimated at $2 million. In 1933, the Hotel was operated by Niagara Falls businessman Frank A. Dudley and the United Hotels Company. In 1954, the top of the hotel became the headquarters of television station KSLA, the CBS affiliate in Shreveport. Youree's former bank became a part of AmSouth Bancorporation of Birmingham, Alabama, which has now merged with Regions Financial Corp., also of Birmingham.
Political career
Youree also became active in local politics. A Democrat, he was a member from 1884 to 1900 of the Caddo Parish Police Jury, serving part of that time as the police jury president. His colleagues included future MayorAndrew Querbes and later State RepresentativePerry Keith of Keithville. Youree was a member of the First Methodist Church of Shreveport. His home on Fairfield Avenue, called "Youreeka," was a Shreveport showplace for many years. He and his wife were interred at the Scottsville/Youree Cemetery in Scottsville, Texas. The cemetery is known for its replica of the acclaimed Weeping Angel or Angel of Grief statue, originally built by the Yourees to honor the grave of their son William Scott Youree, who was killed in Monterrey, Mexico.
Honors
Youree Drive, a major thoroughfare in Shreveport, was named for Captain Youree. Youree Drive Middle School bears his name.
