George J. Young

As printed in 1892

EORGE J. YOUNG. The name of Young ( IS well known and highly honored through- J out Stark County, and indeed beyond its bounds, as members of the family have been closely identified with the development of this section of Ohio, and it is confidently expected that all who bear the name will prove worthy of it and continue the work so well begun by those of preceding generations. That this is the case in the life of Mr. Young, it needs but a mention of his name to his acquaintances to prove. He is numbered among the wealthy- and prominent farmers and stockmen of Pike Township, and has a high reputation as a man of tliorouglily upright character, stanch and true.

George J. Young was born in this township, March 19, 1819, and is the son of George Young, Sr., who was born in Hagerstown, Md., and was a lad of nine years when he emigrated to Somerset County, Pa., with his parents. Making his home in the Keystone State for a twelvemonth after his marriage, which occurred when in his nineteenth year, he emigrated to this State and located for a time in Jefferson County% where he accumulated a sufficient sum of money with which to purchase a couple of horses and a few agricultural implements, in order to carry- on farming. In the spring of 1806, he came to Pike Township and took up his above on section 16. The journey either was made overland, his wife riding one horse and carrying a small child, and the provisions and clothing packed on the other horse. Reaching his land, Mr. Young immediately began the construction of a cabin, in which the family lived until a more suitable structure could be erected. He met with many reverses in his new home, but being plucky and industrious, overcame them, and at his death left a good estate. Indians and wild animals were very numerous about their primitive home and often proved very troublesome.

The father of our subject resided on leased land until 1811, when he became the owner of the northwest quarter of section 16, upon which he erected a cabin, which afterward gave place to a large brick residence, which was the first of its kind in the township. During the War of 1812, he was drafted into service three times, but on each occasion furnished a substitute.

In addition to carrying on his farming operations, he kept a store in his residence for many years, where he sold salt, iron, nails, glass, leather, etc. He was a firm believe in witches and witchcraft, and to the fact of his being left-handed, he attributed his power over them, and held firmly to the opinion that otherwise the would be able to gain au ascendency over him. He abandoned these views, and as civilization broadened and deepened became less superstitious. At his death, which occurred in October, 1873, he had reached the age of ninety--four years. He was considered one of the best business men in his section and enjoyed an enviable reputation as a man of firm principles and strict morality.

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Catherine Heglar, depa''ted this life in 1839. She became the mother of the following twelve children: Sarah, Mrs. Jacob Brothers; David, who married Hannah Keiser; Jacob, who married Maria Donot; Mary, who became the wife of John Creeger; Henry, who married July Anne Fulk; Samuel, who married Caroline Creeger; Susan, who became Mrs. Clinton Henline; Barbara, who married Frederick HemiDger; George, who married Harriet Parker; Catherine, who became the wife of Andrew Staul; Daniel, who married Mary Darr, and Elizabeth, who died single when in her nineteenth j'ear. The lady whom the father of our subject those as his second wife bore him seven children: Frances, Almira, Frank E., Nora, Ebelene, and two who died in infancy.

The original of this sketch was reared on the home farm on section 21, and acquired his fundamental education in a pioneer log schoolhouse, which was one mile's distance from his home. It was furnished in a most i)primitive manner, slab benches serving as seats; the windows were of greased paper, and the door was hung on wooden hinges. He remembers when the surrounding country was sparsely settled, and has killed many wild animals about the house. He aided his father greatly in developing a farm, bringing to bear upon his vocation all the energy of his nature, and helped to make the home place an estate pleasant to look upon.

When attaining his twentieth year, he of whom we write was married to liss Harriet Parker, the date thereof being February 14, 1839. Mrs. Young was born in Chippewa, Wayne County, this State, August 21, 1820, her parents being earl>' settlers of that county. Her father dying when she was six years of age, she was taken into the home of her mateiTial uncle, Andrew Fisher, who made his home in Sugar Creek Township, this county. After his marriage, our subject began life for himself and worked out by the day and month, receiving fifty cents a day for his labors.

Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Young, ten grew to mature years, namely: Ilaman, who is a carpenter residing in Columbus, this State; Nancy, who married Samuel Slutz, a farmer in this township; William H., who also makes his home in this township; Franklin J., who is cultivating the soil in Plain Township; Alfred, Marion F., and Arthur, also well-to-do farmers in Pike Township; Wesley, who is operating Ihe Grand View Hotel at Huntington, Ind.; Allison, who is operating the home farm and Clara, Mrs. William Poorman, who died in 1890.

After his marriage, George J. Young of this sketch, worked out foratime,as before stated, and then rented a farm for a number of years. He later purchased what is now his present home, locating first in a log house, which was burned in 1866. He then erected his present commodious frame residence, and has placed upon his estate those evidences of progress and prosperity which make of it one of the best in the township. He erected a large frame barn on his place in 1859, which gives ample room for the storage of large quantities of grain and the shelter of a number of cattle. Mr. Young has two hundred and three acres of valuable land, the greater part of which he has cleared himself. He has a thorough understanding of farming and stock-raising, and is managing his affairs with skill and success. He is an untiring worker, and his toil has been directed by shrewd judgment, close calculation, and a resolute will that overcame all obstacles in the pathway to success.

Mr. Young, in addition to carrying on his farm, operated a threshing-machine for twenty-two years, from which branch of work he reaped a good income. He was one of the first to engage in that kind of work in this section and as a consequence was greatly in demand.

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The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation, and in 1835 came to America with his family, and located three.ind one-half miles south of Bolivar, in the above-named county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres. After operating that tract for a time, he purchased property near Canton, where he made his home for nine years, and at the end of that time returned to his old home in Bolivar, where he died in 1875, his death being the result of a fall he received when in his eighty-sixth year.

Mrs. Christine Huth, the mother of our subject, was also born in Germany, near her husband's birthplace, where she was given a good practical education. She was a most estimable lady and trained her children to lead honorable and upright lives. She was a Catholic in religion, and died in 1877, when eighty years of age. Of the eleven children of whom she was the mother, ten grew to mature years; of these our subject was the fourth in order of birth. Conrad spent his childhood in his native land, and in 1835 accompanied his parents to this countiT, leaving Bremen on the large sailing-vessel "Prince," the voyage consuming sixty-two d.ays. After landing in New York, the family came to Ohio via Albany, Buffalo. Cleveland, Akron, Canton, remaining in the latter pl.ace twelve months, when the father located on his new farm in Tuscarawas County.

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Soon after leaving the above firm, Mr. Huth durch.ised the grocery business, which gradually grew until he became one of the most successful business men in the city. In 1865, however, he abandoned that line of trade, and again engaging in the hotel business, operated as "mine host" for two years, when he purchased the corner of Canal and West Main Street, which he improved, and in 1874 put in a stock of groceries. He has been engaged in the grocery business since that date, and is now one of the oldest mcichniils in the city.

November 27, 1881, Conrad Iluth and Miss Melinda Ilouck, who is also a native of this county, were united in marriage. The lady is the daughter of John llouck, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and on coming to this county was ranked among the well-to-do farmers of Tuscarawas Township. He held the position of School Director for a number of years, and died January 8, 1875. The mother of Mrs. Iluth was Susannah Hoffer, and.she was also a native of the Keystone State. She bore her husband nine children, and departed this life in 1873, when sixty-five years of age. Her parents were both members of the Lutheran Church, in which body the former was De.acon.

Our subject is a loyal and law-abiding citizen, interested in the welfare of his county, and has always affiliated with the Democratic party, which finds in him a true supporter. He is gentlemanly and courteous to his customers, and by well-directed and incessant labor has accumulated a comfortable property and is conducting a good business, which brink;s him in an excellent income.

As printed in Portrait biographical record of Stark county, Ohio. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the Unit (1892). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.