My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT W. YOUNG, M. D., is one of the oldest and most prominent physicians and surgeons in Slatington, where he has been established since 1875. He is a native of Carbon County, having been born at Lehigh Gap December 4, 1847. His father, Jacob Young, was a native of Northampton County, this state, and departed this life in 1851. The first of our subject’s ancestors to come to America emigrated from Germany at an early day, and made a settlement in the Lehigh Valley. The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Elizabeth Mummey. She was also born in Northampton County, the daughter of Jacob Mummey, and died in 1881.

Robert W., of this sketch, removed from his native place in childhood, and spent his boyhood days in Musselman’s school district, Northampton County, receiving his primary education in the common schools of that place. When a lad of thirteen years he was sent to Weaversville Academy, in Northampton County, where he pursued his studies for a time, and later taught school. He then entered the State Normal School at Kutztown, and was graduated from that institution with the Class of ‘71.

In the above year our subject began reading medicine, and at the same time was engaged in the profession of a school teacher. In the spring of 1872 he entered the office of Dr. H. O. Wilson, of Slatington, a prominent physician of this city, and when far enough advanced in medical lore, took a course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in March, 1875. He immediately located in Slatington for the practice of his profession, and has since made this place his home. He is conducting a very large business, by reason of his superior skill and knowledge as a physician, and is now, and has been for many years, Examining Physician for the old-line life insurance companies. In 1888 he became established in the drug business, and now has one of the most reliable and finest-stocked stores in the city. He has been engaged in various other business enterprises, and was one of the organizers of the Slatington Rolling Mill Company, in which he is a stockholder at the present time.

Socially our subject is a member of the Lehigh County Medical Society, of which he was President for some time. He is now serving in the capacity of Vice-President of that society, with which he has been connected for many years. He also holds membership with the State Medical Association and with the Lehigh Valley Medical Association. In politics our subject is a strong Democrat.

The Odd Fellows’ lodge finds in Dr. Young a valued member, he belonging to Slatington Lodge No. 624, and Encampment No. 231. He is also a charter member of Slatington Castle No. 206, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and a charter member of Star of the North Commandery No. 92, Ancient and Illustrious Order Knights of Malta. He was elected a life member of the Supreme Grand Commander, Ancient and Illustrious Order Knights of Malta of the Continent of America. He is also a charter member of Slatington Lodge No. 1813, K. of H., and a member of the College of the Ancients, and Deputy Grand Commander for the Eighteenth District, including Mauch Chunk, Lehighton, Northampton and Slatington, with headquarters at the latter place.

August 29, 1877, Dr. Young and Miss Ella J. R. Kuntz were united in marriage. The lady is the daughter of Moses and Leah (Wert) Kuntz, and by her union with the Doctor has become the mother of two daughters and one son: Lizzie May, Olive Mildred and Ralph W., the latter deceased. Mrs. Young was a sister of the late Henry A. Kuntz, a bright and promising young man, who met his sad fate in the railroad wreck near Lehigh Gap, on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, in December, 1880. She is also a sister of Cyrus Kuntz, one of Allentown’s most prosperous young men, being proprietor and editor of the Daily City Item, in Allentown, which is the largest circulating medium in Lehigh County.

The Doctor has two sisters, Mrs. E. A. Kichline and Mrs. Mary A. Birchey, both enjoying health and desirable homes. Of his two brothers, Charles W., with a bright future before him, was suddenly stricken with typhoid fever in 1856 and succumbed to the disease; while James H. entered the army as a volunteer at the call to arms in 1862, was at once assigned to the office of Orderly-Sergeant of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and in defense of his country fell at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863.

The Doctor and his wife are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church, and have a beautiful home in the city, where they entertain in a right royal style a host of warm friends.