Temple, Bell County
Yee Pat Ling (Aug. 1, 1865- Jan. 21, 1916), a Chinese immigrant, lived as a respected businessman in Temple due to his restaurant’s popularity and entrepreneurial prowess. On the 1910 U.S. census, ling stated that he arrived in the United States in 1898. After applying for citizenship, ling was operating his famous restaurant by 1899. In 1903, he wed Pearl Hester Elliott, and the couple later had six daughters. Although immigration policy barred Chinese passage to the U.S. at this time, Ling’s Americanization influenced his status as a community member. Asian communities’ histories in Texas are often undertold, but individuals like Yee Pat Ling exemplify the contributions that immigrants made in Texas despite discrimination. (2014)