Born at Lancaster, Ky., on July 22, 1848, Robert Enoch Yantis, 25th president, came to Texas in 1852 with his parents, who located in Rusk County. He graduated from Alexander College at Kilgore.

He was in education for 23 years, including five years as a teacher at Alexander College. He founded Yantis Institute at Wills Point.

His first newspaper venture was with the Wills Point Local Chronicle for five years. He practiced law four years at Vernon. Returning to Wills Point, he established the Vanzandter, which he sold after one year.

In 1900 he bought the Athens Review, which he operated until 1917. He purchased the Belton Evening News in 1920 and ran it for two years. From Belton he went to Austin as a statistician with the Agricultural Department.

Yantis married Helena Prothro in 1869 and they had 11 children. She died in 1918, and in 1919 he married Mary A. Seller at the House of Representatives at Austin with the House chaplain officiating. Yantis served three terms in the Legislature and was postmaster of Wills Point.

He joined Texas Press Association in 1883. He served one term as secretary. Yantis died April 13 (year unknown).