My Genealogy Hound

FREDERICK YOUNT, retired farmer; P. O. Fidelity; is perhaps the oldest living resident of Monroe Township; he was born July 30, 1799; and his parents, John and Mary Yount, emigrated from North Carolina to Miami Co. in 1802; they were the parents of five children— Henry, Delilah, Solomon, Frederick and Rebecca; the two latter are still living. With the Younts also came the Hoovers, Masts and others from North Carolina, and settled in different parts of the county. The land was entered by them at $2 per acre. They had to cut a wagon-road through the woods, from Dayton to the place which they had selected as their future home, and they were probably the first white men that trod the native forests. Frederick’s father settled among the Indians, who were quite numerous; they were not molested in the least by them, and their relations were always of the most friendly character. Game abounded everywhere bears, wolves, panthers, deer, turkeys etc., furnished the early settlers with food, and jerked venison was a staple diet. Their moccasins were made of deer-skins, with soles of leather sewed on with “whang strings.” Their corn was pounded on a stump until it could be made into bread, and this, with a few potatoes, was their usual diet. The Indians about Covington were disposed to be treacherous, and the men did their work with their guns in their hands, or else under the surveillance of a guard, and nearly all of them slept in “Williams” block-house at night for better protection. Frederick married Miss Catharine Ingle Feb. 1, 1821. Their children were fourteen in number, only five of whom are living— Clark, Eli, Emily Smith, Elizabeth Eidemiller and Rebecca Martindale. Mrs. Yount was born in 1802, and died Oct. 11, 1873; from long acquaintance with the Indians, she spoke their language fluently. The stories told by Mr. Yount are of the greatest interest, and would fill a volume had we time to write them. Both himself and wife belonged to the Society of Friends, and have ever lived noble and upright lives. He has been very prosperous, and now lives at his ease. His farm consists of 151 acres, pleasantly located. Since the death of his wife, his granddaughter, Catharine Yount, acts as housekeeper. He can hardly realize this to be the wooden country of his boyhood. He is one of the most pleasant gentlemen in the country, and will, we hope, live to see his centennial birthday celebrated.