My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE H. YOUNG is one of the honored and highly esteemed citizens of Easton. Few soldiers of the Army of the Potomac were engaged in more important battles and numerous smaller encounters with the enemy than was this gentleman. He fought valiantly in the defense of the Union as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, whose record for bravery and hardships endured is, perhaps, unsurpassed. It is estimated that the distance traveled by this regiment during the war aggregated ten thousand, four hundred and thirty-nine miles, these figures being very conservative. In 1874 Mr. Young was elected Sheriff of Northampton County by a majority of seven hundred votes, but was counted out by three votes. He has always been a leader in local politics, and in 1881 was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he holds at present, this being his third term in that capacity. The birth of George H. Young occurred June 30, 1833, in Moore Township, Northampton County. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Young, was born in Allen Township, of this county, and during his later years operated a farm in Moore Township. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Lutheran. By his marriage with a Miss Seam he had eight children, all sons, namely: Jacob, Christian, Abram, Peter, Joseph, George, William and Reuben. The father of this family died at the age of seventy-eight years. The parents of our subject were George and Elizabeth (Stickle) Young. The former was born in Moore Township, within the limits of which nearly his entire lifetime was passed. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that occupation in connection with farming. For many years he owned and cultivated a large and valuable farm in Moore Township. A Democrat in politics, he held a number of township offices, and. was an influential man in his community. He died while in the prime of life of typhoid fever, being forty-eight years of age. To himself and wife were born the following children: Gideon; Rebecca, Mrs. Sehall; Caroline, wife of ex-Sheriff George W. Walton; Mary, whose home is at Bath; Elizabeth, Mrs. Samuel George, of Moore Township; and George H. The mother of this family died when in her eighty-seventh year.

The subjoct of this narrative attended the country schools of Moore Township until his seventeenth year. His higher studies he afterwards pursued at the Trappe, Montgomery County, this state. He was married on reaching his majority, and thereupon engaged in mercantile business until his enlistment in the Union service. On his return from the South he clerked in a store for Adam Laubach, and in 1866 was elected Recorder of Deeds of Northampton County. Three years later he was re-elected to the position, and served until 1872. In 1877 he was for a time engaged in mercantile pursuits, after which he bought the Mt. Vernon Hotel, which he afterwards disposed of to good advantage. At present he is acting as Justice of the Peace and Pension Agent. Socially he is a member of Lafayette Post No. 217, G. A. R., of Easton; is a Knight Templar, having passed all the degrees; and is connected with the United Order of American Mechanics. In former years he belonged to several other societies, but is now affiliated only with those named.

In 1854 Mr. Young was united in marriage with Miss Christianna Moyer. Seven children came to bless their union, who in order of birth were as follows: Acquillis, who died at the age of seven years; Emma, Mrs. Deichman; Johnny, who died in infancy; Mary Alice, who is unmarried; and Christie, George Gettysburg and Harry Ellsworth. In September, 1862, Mr. Young enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, and was placed in Company H, Eleventh Corps of the Army of the Potomac. His term of enlistment was for nine months. At Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, he received dangerous wounds, a ball passing through his mouth, destroying his jaw, breaking his collar-bone and lodging in his shoulder. He was taken prisoner, and was uncared for during four days, but was recaptured finally. After faithful service, in which he took part in the engagement of Chancellorsville, May 2, 3 and 4, 1863, he was mustered out, and received an honorable discharge at Gettysburg, July 24, 1863.