Yaro Chmelar was born at the Washington County Hospital in 1940. He attended Franklin Center country school, and graduated from Washington High School in 1958. He attended Coe College, and Iowa State University, returning to Washington to farm. He and his wife Mary have 4 grown daughters and 6 grandchildren. He has served on the Immanuel Lutheran Church council; various county and state livestock and grain boards in leadership positions; is a charter member and past president of the Washington Lions Club; and is a member of the Community Foundation of Washington country. In 2002 he joined the Washington Free County Library Board, and also serves on the Washington Free Country Library Foundation, and is acting secretary-treasurer. Washington's Square holds fond memories for him as he remembers walking around it on Saturday nights with his family when they all came to town.