Ernest Yarrow was born in London, England, to a Primitive Methodist family.
He and his family moved to the United States when Yarrow was one year old.
Once in the United States, Yarrow attended the Northfield Seminary founded by Evangelist preacher Dwight L. Moody.
After graduating from there in 1897, he continued his education in Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, graduating in 1901.
At Wesleyan, he also played football, acquiring a reputation for strong tackling.
He joined the local First Congregational Church then took theological courses at the Hartford Seminary.
Upon graduating from the Hartford Seminary in May 1904, Yarrow married his roommate's sister, Jane Tuckley, in August of that year.
Yarrow then joined the world missionary movement and was sent to Van, Ottoman Empire by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
Yarrow became very active in the Van college where he was in charge of the boys' school.

After returning to the United States for a brief visit in 1912, Yarrow and his wife returned to Van in 1913 to continue with missionary duties.
He became president of the Van college right before World War I began.
Ernest Yarrow was born in London, England, to a Primitive Methodist family. He and his family moved to the United States when Yarrow was one year old. Once in the United States, Yarrow attended the Northfield Seminary founded by Evangelist preacher Dwight L. Moody. After graduating from there in 1897, he continued his education in Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, graduating in 1901. At Wesleyan, he also played football, acquiring a reputation for strong tackling. He joined the local First Congregational Church then took theological courses at the Hartford Seminary. Upon graduating from the Hartford Seminary in May 1904, Yarrow married his roommate's sister, Jane Tuckley, in August of that year. Yarrow then joined the world missionary movement and was sent to Van, Ottoman Empire by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Yarrow became very active in the Van college where he was in charge of the boys' school.
After returning to the United States for a brief visit in 1912, Yarrow and his wife returned to Van in 1913 to continue with missionary duties. He became president of the Van college right before World War I began.
Ernest Yarrow