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Johann Rudolph "Ralph" Younkin was born on on July 7, 1766 in Bedminster Township, Bucks County, PA, the son of German immigrants Johannes "Heinrich" and Catharina (Scherer) Junghen. A record of his birth was written, in the German script, in the Keller's Lutheran Church documents. When baptized as an infant, Rudolph's sponsors were Rudolph and Eve Ackerman.
In about 1788, at the age of about 22, he married 19-year-old Elizabeth Hockman (June 7, 1769-1831), also spelled “Hackman,” the daughter of Rudolph and Elizabeth Hockman. Their nine known children were Elisabeth Jungken, Squire John Younkin Sr., Henry Younkin, Jacob Younkin, Samuel Younkin, Abraham Younkin, Mary Magdalena Younkin, Joseph Younkin and Sarah "Sally" Younkin. Perhaps in preparation for a move south and then west, Rudolph is known to have sold 118 acres of Hancock Township property to George Deal on May 13, 1796. That same day, he sold 87 acres of his Bedminister Township farm to Deal for £500. Rudolph found himself the target of a legal inquisition in Bucks County in January 1797 when he was accused of keeping, maintaining a "certain ill-governed, disorderly House" frequented by "Men and Women of evil name" who had conducted "dishonest conversation." The adults were further said to have met on the Lord's Day (Sunday) to engage in drinking, tippling and misbehaving themselves" which was considered a "common nuisance." In about 1798, the couple migrated to Loudoun County, VA. Their son Joseph was born in Lovettsville, Loudoun County in August 1806. Rudolph was enumerated in Loudoun in the 1810 census, written as "Ralph Younkin." Six of the family were in the household that year. The family later moved into Somerset County, PA where three of Rudolph's brothers had settled - John (circa 1795), Frederick (1786) and Jacob (mid-1780s) They may have shuttled back and forth from Virginia and Pennsylvania during that time. Research by the late Olive Duff shows that Rudolph’s name appears in a 1799 Somerset County court docket for the December term 1799, case no. 26, where Rudolph’s assignee George Swartz sued DeWalt Schneider over an unpaid debt of $72. As Ohio opened to more orderly, safe settlement, they relocated again in about 1816, settling in Corning, Perry County, OH, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Rudolph is known to have sued "John Younkin" (relationship unknown) in a trespass case. When John paid for the court costs, the case was dismissed, No. 21 September Term 1823. He likely is the same "John Younkin" enumerated among 11 family members in the 1820 census of Bearfield Township. When the census again was made in 1830, only three people lived in their dwelling. Elizabeth died in Corning on May 24, 1831 at the age of 61. Rudolph also spent his final years in Corning. The details of his final fate are not yet known. In the 1930s, researcher Otto Roosevelt Younkin made an entry in his notebook saying that the Rudolph Younkins were buried in a family cemetery in Fultonham, Perry County. Rudolph is named in a profile of his grandson Rufus Henry Younkin in the 1914 book Story of Lee County, Iowa, by Nelson Cummins Roberts and Samuel W. Moorhead.
~ Daughter Elisabeth Junghen ~ Elisabeth Junghen (1789-1797) was born on June 21, 1879 in Bucks County. Her grandmother, the widow Elizabeth Hockman, was her sponsor at the christening held at Keller's Church on Aug. 29, 1789. She spent her early years on her parents' farm in Bedminster Township, Bucks County. Sadly, at the age of seven years, six months and 17 days, she passed away in Bedminster Township. Her remains were placed into repose directly beside her grandfather Johannes “Heinrich” Junghen at Keller’s Church. Her stone stands erect and legible today. It is inscribed: “Hier Ruhan Die Bebeine Des Ver Storbene Elisabeth Jungken. In Sie Ist Gebohren Im Uahr 1789 Den 21 Julius und 1 Gestoben Den 8 Jenuaruis im iahr 1797.”
~ Son "Squire" John Younkin Sr. ~
"Squire" John Younkin (1791-1881) was born July 27, 1791 in Loudoun County, VA. During the War of 1812, he lived in Frederick County, MD and was drafted into Capt. Samuel Dorsey's regiment of Maryland Militia. He served in the militia for seven weeks and then hired a substitute to fill his place. He then returned to Frederick County and remained for two years, until about 1816, when he migrated to Loudoun County, VA. In 1816, he and Barbara Alexander bore a child, possibly out of wedlock, named John Younkins. Perhaps this is what triggered his move to Virginia. John spent a year in Loudoun and in 1817 relocated again to Perry County, OH. He and his brother Samuel are considered among the earliest settlers near Porterville, Bearfield Township. Said a newspaper, "He entered the farm on which he resided until his death when it was all in woods; not a stick of timber cut until he went to build himself a log cabin to live in." On Feb. 8, 1820 or 1821, in York Township, Morgan County, OH, he was united in matrimony with Anna Margaretha “Margaret” Trout (Nov. 13, 1800-1892), a native of Loudoun County and the daughter of Casper and Mary Ann (Ament) Trout. She had been baptized in infancy in Loudoun and as a child relocated to Rockingham County, VA. At the age of 15, in about 1815, she and her family moved again to Muskingum County, OH, where she joined the Lutheran Church. Then in 1818, the Trouts pushed into Morgan County, OH. Fourteen children were born to the couple -- Mary Ann Younkin, Jacob Younkin, George Younkin, Susannah Younkin, Elizabeth Younkin, William Younkin, Lydia Jane Younkin, John Younkin Jr., James Younkin, Amos Younkin, Isaac Younkin, Ephraim P. Younkin, Eli Younkin and Margaret Black. Sadly, they lost their eldest daughter Mary Ann in infancy. The baby’s tender remains were placed into rest in Holcomb's Church Cemetery, also known as Fletcher Chapel, two miles northwest of Portersville. In his role as a justice of the peace, he is known to have performed the 1823 marriage ceremony for his sister, Sarah to John Trout. Other marriages he officiated in the 1822-1825 time period were Thomas Foreacre to Ruhanna Zartman - William Fickel to Sara Zartman - and Adam Goodlove to Suzannah Zartman. The 1830 and 1850 censuses show the family in Bearfield Township, Perry County. During the Civil War, in July 1863, the Younkins worried when word approached them that a band of mounted Confederates, led by General John Hunt Morgan, invaded eastern Ohio, heading toward Perry County and destroying anything in their path. Recalled a daughter, "Everybody near us wanted to hide, but I kept on with my chores around the house. After secreting the stock in the woods near our home, the neighbors came in and hid at our house, but the raiders were orderly and didn't bother us." More than 70 years afterward, in reporting on the Younkins' experience in the raid, a Zanesville newspaper commented that it was "a topic which is still discussed as the biggest event in parts of Perry, Morgan and Muskingum County during the war."
In 1880, still in Bearfield, John was age 88 and Margaret was 80. That year, he filed for a pension as a former American soldier. The claim was denied, as it was shown he provided "sufficient" service. (See File #30.744) John died at the age of 89 on July 12, 1881, with burial in Holcomb's Church Cemetery. Under the terms of his will, Margaret was to receive an inheritance of cash and 20 bushels of wheat but no cow, household goods or sheep. Margaret outlived her spouse by a decade. She joined him in death at the age of 91 on Jan. 11, 1892 in her home about 2.5 miles south of Deavertown, Perry County. An obituary in the New Lexington Tribune said that "She was a kind mother, loving wife and good neighbor. She never lost an opportunity to attend the church of her choice as longas her health would permit. She leaves a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn their loss." Another obituary in the Tribune said that "She lived to see home after home and churches and school houses and towns grow up, and the wild forests disappear as well as the wolves that used to howl around their cabin. It was a great pleasure to her to tell of early times. She was the oldest lady in Bearfield township." John is briefly described in the 1883 book History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio. The couple also were named in the Younkin Family News Bulletin obituary of their son Eli in 1937. Also in the 1930s, their twin children Margaret and Eli were considered "one of the oldest sets of twins in the nation."
Son John Younkins (1816-1901) was born on June 10, 1816 in Middletown, Frederick County to parents who were not married. Despite his illegitimate status, he was christened in the German Reformed Church, later known as the United Church of Christ, in Middletown. On June 18, 1840, in nuptials held in the Middletown Lutheran Church, he wedded Sarah Jane Fish (July 5, 1921-1901). The minister was paid $2 for his services. They were the parents of Frances Ann Catharine Kephart, Carlton Melanchton Younkin, Martin Luther Younkin, John William Taylor Younkin, Charlotte Elizabeth “Etta” O'Neal, Oliver Melvin Columbus Younkin, Emory Calvin Younkin, Claretta L.J. Klink and Mary Celesta “Mollie” Jones. All of their children were baptized as babies in two Middletown churches, Zion Lutheran and German Reformed United Church of Christ. The 1850 Census lists him as head of the household, with 50-year-old Maryland-born Barbara Yonkins in the household. At some point he acquired land from Peter Schlosser. Sarah Jane died in New Baltimore, Frederick County on Jan. 25, 1901, age 79. John only outlived his wife by a few months. He died at the home of his son, John W. Younkin in New Baltimore, Frederick County at the age of 84 on April 23, 1901. Burial was in Middletown Lutheran Church Cemetery in Frederick. Rev. M.L. Beard officiated at the funeral, and pallbearers were S.E. Remsburg, H.C. McBride, John H. Routzahn, John C. Castle and C.S. Miller. An obituary in the Frederick News said that he was "an aged and highly respected resident of Middletown valley" and that "His was the third death to occur in the family during the present year." Two of the daughters married Isaac T.C. Long of New Baltimore and Amos O'Neall of Frosttown (Frostburg?), MD.
Son Jacob Younkin (1822-) was born on Aug. 31, 1822. On Oct. 27, 1843, at the age of 21, he wedded Sarah Fickle (or “Tickle”) (1824- ? ). Their two known sons were Erastus Younkin and George Younkin. The family is shown in the Bearfield Township censuses of 1850 and 1860.
Son George Younkin (1824- ? ) was born in 1824. At the age of 25, unmarried, he lived at home with his parents and earned his living as a farmer in Bearfield Township. He migrated to Iowa and earned a living as a school teacher. He never married.
Daughter Susannah Younkin (1826-1902) was born on March 19, 1826 in Morgan County, OH. At the age of 32, on Oct. 14, 1858, she was united in matrimony with John Iden (Aug. 10, 1827-1907), a native of Loudoun County, VA and the son of Alfred and Mary Ann (Bell) Iden. The wedding ceremony was held in Perry County. Some dozen years prior to their marriage, John made his first trip to Iowa and then in 1853 acquired a farm there. The newlyweds thus settled on a farm in Section 5 near Riverside, Washington County. Their seven children were Minerva "Minnie" Iden, DeWitt Iden, Julia May Iden, Margaret Ann Iden, Luella Belle Iden, JoAnn "Josie" Iden and Mary Catherine Iden. In 1880, when the History of Washington County, Iowa was published, John was featured in a biographical profile: Iden, Joh, farmer; Sec. 5, P.O. Riverside; was born in Louden county, Virginia, and is the son of Alfred and Mary A. Iden; the family moved to Perry county, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was raised on a farm; he came to this county first in 1846, and entered his land in 1853; he came to this county without means, and to use his own language he was "bareheaded and barefooted"; he now owns a fine farm of 480 acres, well improved; he was present at the organization of the township and voted at the first election; he married Miss Susanna Younkin in 1858; she was a native of Perry county, Ohio; they have a family of seven children: Minerva J., D.W., G.M., Margaret A., Luella B., Joanna, and Mary C.
Susannah died in Washington at the age of 76 on Nov. 4, 1902. John outlived her by five years and joined her in death on Dec. 9, 1907 at the age of 80.
Daughter Elizabeth Younkin (1827-1918) was born on Christmas Eve 1827 in Ohio. She apparently did not marry. At the age of 46, in 1880, she lived with her parents in Bearfield Township, Perry County. She is believed to have succumbed to the Grim Reaper at the age of 90 years, eight months and 20 days on Sept. 17, 1918. Interment was in Holcomb Church Cemetery in Deavertown, OH. Nearly two decades after her passing, she was remembered and named in the obituary of her sister Margaret Black published in the Younkin Family News Bulletin. Son William Younkin (1830- ? ) was born on Jan. 8, 1830 in Morgan County, OH. On Jan. 22, 1848, when William was age 18, he married Balinda Sisler ( ? - ? ). The wedding was held in Perry County, OH and registered in Marriage Book 2-3, page 179. Daughter Lydia Jane Younkin (1832-1901) was born on March 10, 1832 in Ohio. As with her sister Elizabeth, she did not marry but chose to remain in her parents’ household in Bearfield Township. At the age of 69, on April 21, 1901, she passed into eternity. Burial was in Holcomb's Church Cemetery in Deavertown, OH. Son John Younkin (1834- ? ) was born on March 7, 1834. According to research in the mid-1930s by Otto Roosevelt Younkin, John never married.
Son James Younkin (1835-1910) was born on Jan. 20, 1835 in Perry or Morgan County, OH. When he was 25 years of age, he was joined in holy wedlock with Elizabeth Jane Patterson (1839- ? ) on Nov. 13, 1860. The couple migrated to Iowa and established roots on a farm in Ottumwa, Wapello County. They produced six children -- Mrs. W.L. Pritchard, Luella Belle Younkin, James Younkin Jr., Anna Jane Younkin, Robert W. Younkin and Hattie Stone. On Feb. 13, 1910, suffering from intestinal nephritis and heart problems, the 75-year-old James passed away at home in Ottumwa and was laid to rest in the Ottumwa Cemetery. Funeral services were led by Rev. E.J. Shook of the Willard Street Methodist Episcopal Church, with interment in Ottumwa Cemetery. Elizabeth survived her husband, but her final details are not yet known.
Son Amos Younkin (1838-1918) was born on Feb. 9, 1838 in Perry County, OH. He was married and had a family. Circa 1867, he relocated to Washington County, IA. At the age of 36, on Aug. 18, 1874, he wedded Rachel L. Benson (Nov. 17, 1857- ? ). They produced this family of children -- John Leroy Younkin, Elizabeth "May" Younkin, Harvey Clyde Younkin, Belle Younkin and Luella Belle Younkin. After spending a baker's dozen years in Washington County, they pushed again in 1880 to Nodaway Township, Page County, IA, settling on a farm six miles southwest of New Market. The family grieved at the deaths of their young son John Leroy in 1877 and daughter Belle Younken in 1885. At some point they retired and purchased a home in New Market. Amos suffered a debilitating stroke in early 1918. He lingered for six weeks "and has been confined to his bed since that time," said a news obituary. Unable to recover, he died in New Market at the age of 80 on March 22, 1918, with burial in Memory Cemetery. Rev. Douglass officiated at the funeral service held in the local Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1938, his obituary was reprinted in the Younkin Family News Bulletin.
Great-grandson Bertram H. Younkin ( ? -1961) was born on Feb. 13, 1910 in Huron, Beadle County, SD. He moved to Fairmont, MN, where for 18 years he was employed as a movie projector operator. He died in Fairmont on Dec. 8, 1961, with funeral services led by Rev. Cecil Miller and an obituary printed in his old hometown newspaper, the Huron Daily Plainsman. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery (where?). Great-granddaughter Marie Younkin married Alfred Sutton. Their residence in 1961 was in Wessington and in 1982 in St. Lawrence. Great-grandson Paul Edward Younkin made his home in 1961 in Great Falls, MT and in 1982 in Huron. Great-grandson Max Younkin lived in Yankton in 1961 and in Huron in 1982. Great-granddaughter Alice Younkin wedded Charles Webster and dwelled in Huron. Great-grandson George Amos Younkin resided in Huron. Great-grandson and Kenneth J. Younkin (1922-1982) was born on Jan. 24, 1922 in Huron. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from February 1942 to December 1945. On June 15, 1952, in Huron, he married Helen Evans ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Vicki Ericsson, Rhonda Sampoll and Crystal Younkin. The couple moved to Belle Fourche, SD, in 1956, where he worked for Newberger Building Materials and then for more than 25 years by Belle Fourche Sawmill. Kenneth died at home on April 11, 1982. Rev. Fred Hallstrom officiated at the funeral, followed by burial in Black Hills National Cemetery. An obituary was printed in the Rapid City (SC) Journal.
Son Isaac Younkin (1840-1938) was born on April 21, 1840 in Hancock County, OH. On March 17, 1864, at the age of 23, he was joined in matrimony with 17-year-old Susan Wilson Curry (Oct. 5, 1846-1925), a native of Virginia. Their wedding was held in Morgan County, OH by the hand of Rev. U.L. Jones. (Her maiden name has been misspelled as "Currin.") The couple produced six children -- Francis Ulissus "Frank" Younkin, William O. Younkin, Lewis E. Younkin, Chancey C. Younkin, Della Richards and Ralph B. Younkin. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1870, the Younkins were in Bearfield Township, Perry County, residing next door to Isaac's brother and sister-in-law, Eli and Martha Alcinda (Skinner) Younkin. Isaac's occupation that year was farm laborer. Sometime between 1876 and 1880, they made the decision to push westward and relocate to Kansas, where they settled in Nessho Township, Coffey County. The United States Census of 1880 shows the family in Neosho, with Isaac continuing his work as a farm laborer. The Younkins moved again prior to 1900 to a farm in Rock Creek Township, Coffey County. In 1900, bachelor sons William (age 33), Lewis (31) and Chauncey (24) helped Isaac on the farm. The census of 1910 shows Isaac and Susan in Key West Township, Coffey County, with sons William and Chauncey and daughter Della in the household. Again in the 1910s the family moved to a farm in Hampden Township, Coffey County. The 1920 census shows Isaac, Susan and 52-year-old son William, 50-year-old son Lewis and 40-year-old son Chauncy living together on a farm.
Sadly, Susan died in Halls Summit, KS at the age of 78 on Feb. 21, 1925. Isaac outlived her by a baker's dozen years. He was retired when listed in the 1930 census, still in Hampden Township, with his bachelor sons still in the home. They eventually relocated into the town of Burlington, at a home at South Sixth Street. In March 1938, local real estate dealer William Phillipi "collected money from a number of friends of the family and bought a radio for them," said the Emporia (KS) Gazette. "Isaac Younkin and his two sons, all aged men, live together and have been sick several years. The father is 97 years old, and the sons are more than 70." At 98 years of age in 1938, he was considered the oldest known living Younkin in the United States, and as such, he was pictured and profiled in the April 1938 edition of the Younkin Family News Bulletin. He also was one of the oldest men in Coffey County. He died in his home on Dec. 19, 1938 at the age of 98 years, seven months and 25 days. Rev. Harry O. Ritter, of the local Methodist Church, led the funeral service, with burial in Graceland Cemetery. His obituary was published in the Aug. 10, 1939 edition of the News Bulletin.
Great-grandson Homer Albert Younkin (1891-1964) was born on Aug. 8, 1891 in Waverly, KS. He was twice married. His first bride, whom he wed in March 1913, was Susan Jones ( ? - ? ). His second spouse was Vera L. Smith (July 24, 1902- ? ). Homer passed into eternity at the age of 73 on Oct. 26, 1964. Great-grandson Clarence Milton Younkin (1893-1942) was born on New Year's Eve 1893 in Waverly, KS. He migrated to Minnesota and set down roots in Paynesville, Stearns County. When he was 20 years of age, in 1914, he was joined in holy wedlock with Otillie Hartman ( ? - ? ), with the nuptials held in Paynesville. Sadly, he died in Paynesville at the age of only 48 on May 19, 1942. On Father's Day 2004, his branch held its seventh annual Minnesota Younkin Reunion. Dee Scott reported at that time that "The family currently has 272 living members on the family tree. About seventy-five attend each year's reunion." The date of the 2019 reunion is Sept. 7, and an updated family history book is in preparation.
Great-grandson Earl Orlando Younkin (1896-1918) was born on Jan. 26, 1896 in Waverly, KS. His time on earth was relatively short. At the age of 22, he was cut away by the Grim Reaper, while in Livingstone, MT on Oct. 14, 1918. Great-grandson Walter Erwin Younkin (1902- ? ) was born on Jan. 12, 1902 in Tracy, MN. In Sept. 1923, when he was 21 years of age, he wedded his first wife, Rae Mae ( ? - ? ) in nuptials held in Minneapolis. Then on Feb. 9, 1935, now in Erie, Erie County, PA, he was united in matrimony with Ruth Adelina Gutowski (July 3, 1911- ? ), a native of Lorain, OH. They produced two children -- Walter Erwin Younkin Jr. and Wilda Ruth Younkin. Great-grandson Raymond Lewis Younkin (1903-1983) was born on Nov. 10, 1903 in Valley City, ND. He waited until middle age to marry. At the age of 41, on May 26, 1945, he was joined in marital union with Carlotta M. Fisher (May 26, 1910-1987). The wedding was held in Wellington, OH, and the couple lived there for many years. Carlotta was carried away by the Angel of Death at the age of 77 on Sept. 29, 1987. Great-grandson Francis Foster Younkin (1909-1981) was born on Oct. 14, 1909 in Valley City, ND. He wedded local girl Gladys Bushy (Jan. 27, 1911-1978) in Sept. 1935, when he was 25 and she 24. Gladys passed away at the age of 67 on Oct. 9, 1978. Francis outlived her by three years and died in Oct. 1981 at the age of 71.
Son Ephraim P. "E.P." Younkin (1842-1933) was born on Sept. 17, 1842 in Morgan County, OH. After growing to manhood on the family farm, he set his sights westward and made the long trip to Illinois, where he spent 19 months working, and then pushed into Iowa. With three years in the "west" under his belt, he returned to Perry County and spent a year there before establishing a permanent home in Moxahala, Pleasant Township, Perry County. On June 7, 1873, he was united in marriage with 26-year-old Agnes McCall (May 11, 1847-1933), daughter of Matthew and Levina (Gaddis/Geddes) McCall of Morgan County. The Younkins are not known to have reproduced. The federal census of 1880 shows the couple in Morgan County. He was a longtime carpenter and was profiled in the 1883 book History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio. His final residence was in Malta Township. Morgan County. Both Agnes and Ephraim were burdened with heart valve disease and died within six months of each other. She passed first, on Feb. 6, 1933. Ephraim died in Malta on Aug. 4, 1933 at the age of 90 years, 10 months and 20 days. His remains were interred in Malta. Howard Glass of Malta signed both of their death certificates. Agnes' will left bequests to a host of siblings, nieces and nephews. Four years after Ephraim's passing, he was remembered and named in the obituary of his sister Margaret Black published in the Younkin Family News Bulletin.
Son Eli Younkin (1845-1937) was born on April 21, 1845, a twin with his sister Margaret as the youngest of 14 children.. When he was 21 years of age, immediately after the Civil War ended, Eli found himself in the Deep South in the vicinity of Chapel Hill, NC. What took him there remains a mystery. He later told a newspaper reporter that "reports came by stage coache messages that Lincoln had been shot,... [and] ministers in the vicinity had church bells run and called the people together to pray that Lincoln's life might be spared." He appears to have been thrice married. His first spouse was Ann M. Bailey ( ? - ? ). Their only child was Mary F. Younkin, born in 1867. Ann's precise fate is not known, but she apparently died young. Then at the age of 23, on Jan. 7, 1869, Eli was joined in wedlock with his second bride, Martha Alcinda Skinner (Aug. 22, 1847-1880), daughter of James R. and Catherine (Reid) Skinner of Perry County. The wedding ceremony was held in Salt Lick Township, Perry County. They were the parents of Eva Frances Thompson, William H. Younkin and Edwin Lee Younkin. Grief blanketed the family when sons William (Dec. 13, 1874) and Edwin (July 18, 1878) died in infancy. Further heartache returned when the 32-year-old Martha succumbed in Bearfield Township on April 9, 1880. Her remains were lowered into eternal rest in the soil of Holcomb's Church Cemetery, also known as Fletcher Chapel, two miles northwest of Portersville. Eli mourned for two years and then on March 26, 1882, when he was age 36, he wedded his third bride, Mary L. (Smith) Cooper (Nov. 1855-1928), daughter of Annie E. Smith of Morgan County. Mary had been married once before, to Charles Cooper, and brought a son to the union, Henry J. Cooper. The couple bore another three children of their own -- Carl Younkin, Clarence "Burl" Younkin and Harry Theron Younkin. They lived in the 1920s in the Sayre community near Crooksville. In August 1926, and then again in June 1935, daughter Eva Thompson is known to have traveled from her home in the Iowa City area for extended visits. Sadly, Mary died in Corning at the age of 72 on July 13, 1928. An obituary published in the Zanesville Times Recorder said that death occurred "following an illness due to complications." Eli survived her by nine years. At his joint birthday with sister Margaret in April 1935, they were pictured together in a feature story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, with Eli telling the reporter that he "had been sick but once in his life and shops wood every day. 'My wind isn't what it used to be, though,' Younkin admitted. 'I'm not bragginb, but I used to bind all the wheat one man could cradle, while other cradlers had two men behind them. I'm still pretty spry at it'." On New Year's Day 1937, at his home near Corning, Eli succumbed to the grasp of the Angel of Death at the age of 81 years, eight months and 10 days. His remains were lowered into repose in Zion Christian Union Church Cemetery in Porterville, Bearfield Township, with Rev. E.C. McCormick officiating at the funeral sevice. Eli's obituary appeared in the Times Recorder, which noted that he was survived by 11 grandchildren and a dozen great-grandchildren. Because he and his twin sister Margaret were widely considered among the oldest sets of twins in the country, the news of his death was published in a number of Ohio newspapers statewide. The obituary was reprinted in the inaugural edition of the Younkin Family News Bulletin, Christmas 1937, and he also was mentioned in the obituary of his sister Margaret Black in the same issue.
Daughter Margaret Younkin (1845-1937) was born on April 21, 1845, a twin with her brother Eli as the youngest of 14 children. She grew up in Bearfield Township, Perry County. During the Civil War, in July 1863, she and her family feared when Confederate troops led by General John Hunt Morgan invaded eastern Ohio, destroying anything in their path. Later in life, she recalled to a news reporter with the Cleveland Plain Dealer that "I was 18 when Morgan's Raiders crossed into Ohio. Don't believe all you hear about how they terrorized everybody. They came right into our farmyard and I went right on with my work. They never bothered me." On July 19, 1866, when she was age 21, Margaret was united in wedlock with James Black (Sept. 18, 1839-1925), the son of James Black. The couple produced 10 children -- Lucetta Black, William Ellsworth Black, Oscar J. "Ott" Black, Jesse Dillon Black, John Iden Black, Calvin William Black, Elmer Ray Black, Frank Black, Charles Black and George Sidney Black. The made a living over the years as farmers. During their child-bearing years, they lived in Sayre, Perry County and at Misco Mine in Morgan County. The family grieved when youngest son George died at the age of 15 years, three months and five days on March 8, 1889. Then in 1901, they relocated to White Cottage, Muskingum County. Sadly, stricken with cancerous tumors known as sarcoma, James died five days before Christmas 1925 at the age of 87. Son John, living in Fultonham, OH, signed the death certificate. Interment was in the Fultonham Cemetery. Margaret survived him by a dozen years as a widow, residing in East Fultonham, Muskingum County. She was injued in a fall in about 1930 and thereafter used a wheelchair to get about. At her joint birthday with brother Eli in April 1935, they were pictured together in a feature story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. In September 1936, at the age of 91, she received a visit from cousin Marcus W. Younkin from Paris, TN and was photographed by Marcus' wife Azalea. The image is preserved today in the Minerd.com Archives. Margaret was interested that the extended family history was being re-discovered and that the clan at large was convening each year in Somerset County, PA. Despite being very feeble, Margaret in August 1937 traveled to Kingwood, Somerset County, PA to attend the Younkin National Home-coming Reunion, in company with her sons John, Calvin and William. They first stopped in Charleroi, PA to visit with reunion secretary Charles Arthur Younkin, and then pushed into Somerset County, arriving on the Sunday of the event. Observers said that she was "enjoying good health," and a day or two later made the return trip home. But the long drive must have taken its toll. Six days after her reunion visit, she was stricken while seated in her chair, and she died the next day, Aug. 29, 1937 at the age of 92. Interment was in Fultonham Cemetery. An obituary published in the Younkin Family News Bulletin said she was "the last surviving member of the famous Younkin Twins.... Had she lived until April 21, 1938, she would have been 93 years of age.... Mrs. Black comes from a family of long-lived Younkins...., being a granddaughter of Rudolph "Ralph) Younkin, one of the pioneer Younkins who migrated from Bucks County, Pa., to Somerset County, eventually settling in Ohio." The year after Margaret's death, her sons Jesse, Calvin, William and Oscar attended the 1938 Younkin Reunion. On their return trip home, they stayed overnight with Nancy (Younkin) Forsythe and her daughter Carmie Earle in Vanderbilt near Connellsville, PA.
~ Son Henry Younkin ~ Henry Younkin (1795-1877) was born in about 1795. Henry purchased land in Muskingum County, OH in 1819 with his presumed brother John Younkin. On Feb. 15, 1821, in nuptials held in Muskingum County by the hand of J. Crooks, the 26-year-old was united in wedlock with Sarah Ann Bartlett ( ? -1846). The produced six children -- Robert T. Younkin, Hester Anne Boling, Caroline M. Younkin, Charles Henry Younkin, Mary Elizabeth Younkin and one who died unnamed in infancy in 1846. Evidence suggests that another son was Mason Younkin who served in the War with Mexico circa 1846-1848. Sadness enveloped the family when Sarah Ann died on Aug. 11, 1846 in Zanesville, Muskingum County. Evidence hints that her demise was in childbirth as the couple also lost an unnamed baby that same year. The widowed Henry traveled to Iowa in 1856 where he was a pioneer of Keokuk. At some point Henry lived in Chariton, Iowa, where he died at the age of 82 on June 16, 1877. Son Robert T. Younkin ( ? -1892) was born in Fultonham, Muskingum County. He died in 1892, with burial in Chariton Cemetery.
Daughter Hester Anne Younkin ( ? -1927) was born in (?). In the mid-1850s, she is believed to have migrated with her parents and family to Iowa. On Jan. 17, 1865, in a wedding held in Fairfield, Jefferson County, IA, she married Senator Sanford M. Boling (Dec. 30/31, 1834-1893), a Muskingum County native and the son of William and Julia (Grimsley) Boling. The one known daughter born to this couple was Bessie Millikin. As a boy of 10, Sanford "received his education in the old subscription schools common at that early day and at the age of ten years began working at the plasterers trade with his father," said a profile in the Iowa Official Register. Then after the Civil War broke out, he joined the Union Army in August 1862 and was assigned to the 122nd Ohio Infantry, Company F with the rank of second lieutenant. He then was sent with his men to Virginia and was assigned to fortify the town of Winchester. Unfortunately, he contracted typhoid fever and became nearly blind, and was sent home for medical care. During his time away, his regiment fought at Gettysburg. After making a partial recovery, he rejoined his unit at Martinsburg, WV and "started on the Mine Run campaign, but after marching a time through mud and enduring untold hardships, the project was abandoned," said a biography in an Iowa county history book. He at that time was an acting adjutant and was selected to be detailed to Columbus, OH, where he helped recruit soldiers for duty in the South. He resigned his position on Dec. 30, 1864, and then made an overland trip to Iowa to begin his future with our Hester Anne. Upon his arrival in Fairfield, they were wed. And then, said the Register: During the first five years after his arrival [in Iowa] he was in the employ of the American Express Company, but his health so failed him that he was compelled to change his occupation and for a time he worked at the plasterer's trade. This was followed by one year spent as a contractor and in January, 1874, he entered upon the duties of the office of Auditor of Jefferson County, in which capacity he served the people acceptably for six years, his worth and ability having been tested and found to be in merit even above what his friends had anticipated. In 1879, he was honored with an election to the State Senate and served in that body during the sessions of 1880 and 1882. In the first Assembly, he was Chairman of the Committee on Penitentiaries, which originated a bill creating the office of warden in the penitentiary at Anamosa. He was the active spirit in securing an amendment to equalize the good time earned by convicts. Up to this time counties could vote on public improvements only at general elections, and as a result when one party championed any public enterprise, the other felt bound to oppose. It thus became difficult for a county even to erect a courthouse, and it was through the instrumentality of Mr. Boling that an amendment was passed permitting such questions to be voted upon either at general or special elections. During the session of 1882, he was Chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and secured the passage of a bill appropriating a half million to complete the State Capitol. Former appropriations had been so small that they were largely consumed in paying the salaries of those selected to look after their expenditure and in the passage of this bill Mr. Boling performed an important work. Socially, he belonged to the Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities and to the Grand Army Post of Fairfield, of which he is a charter member.
In May 1888, Sanford was awarded a military pension as compensation for his wartime injuries. [Invalid App. #653.158 - Cert. #464.339]. In 1890, he was featured in a lengthy profile in the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, published by Lake City Publishing Company of Chicago. Sanford was in ill health circa 1892 and had to leave his job as an agent with the United States Express Company. Family friend Rev. E.L. Schreiner observed that the patient "has been a patient, quiet sufferer, anticipating all the time the probability that he might not recover." As reported in the Weekly Journal, Sanford confided to Schreiner that: ...during his life he had been troubled with doubts and had been skeptical about Christian religion, but since his sickness he had reviewed the whole ground, and fel that he could not set up his reason and judgement against God, and his Word, and he had come to a cordial acceptance of them, and he desired to yield to every requirement that God made of him, asking me to read from the Bible and pray with him. "I returned in a few days and during this and subsequent inter views he made a complete surrender of himself to God and case himself on the mercy of Christ, and soon found peace in believing. Shortly after this he united at his own request, with the Church, and with a few intimate friends received the sacrament of the Lords supper, manifestly discerening by faith the shed blood and broken body of Christ, his only hope. From this time on his progress in spiritual discernment was great and rapid. On my return from Conference while with him one day, when he had so declined in strength that he could only speak in a whisper, he took my hand and drawing me close to him, he said "the doctor has just told me that there is no possible chance for me to get well, and I want to say that it is all right. I am perfectly happy! happy, Glory to God."
Sanford passed away on Oct. 18, 1893 in Fairfield. An obituary printed in the Weekly Journal said that the funeral was held in the Boling home. "There was a good attendance of friends of the family. The service was impressively conducted by Rev. E.L. Schreiner of the M.E. Church." The following day, his remains were taken by his fellow friends to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad depot for transport to Chariton for burial. Pallbearers included T.F. Higley and W.H. Neibert from the Masons, Robert Israel and John W. Quillan from the Odd Fellows and Thomas Bell and Charles Gift from the GAR. After Sanford's death, Hester Anne was awarded her husband's pension and received monthly government checks for the rest of her life. [Widow App. #589.593 - Cert. #428.441]. Hester Anne passed away in Chariton, Lucas County, IA in 1927. Her obituary appeared in the Ledger.
Father has often told me that our family emigrated from Germany -- some going to Ohio -- some to Pennsylvania and others to Virginia -- and that the name was spelled Jounkin or some such wording. Too bad he is not now living -- what a "kick" he would get out of all this -- as well as his Sisters -- if they were living today. All his family was born at Fultonham, Ohio -- close to Zanesville. They left for Iowa about 1856 -- Grandfather Younkin, Father and his brother Robert, and sisters Hester Anne, Mary Elizabeth, and Caroline. Those left behind were the Mother, who died in 1846 -- also another Sister -- both are buried at Zanesville. They probably came down the Ohio River to Cairo, Illinois, where the Mississippi meets it, then came up the latter to Keokuk, Iowa, for I have pictures taken of Grandfather Younkin in this town. Grandfather Younkin died in 1878 (name Henry) and is buried at Chariton, Iowa. My father died in 1923 and is buried here, his 3 sisters spoken of, Caroline, passed in about 1890; Mary Elizabeth in 1922 and Hester Anne in 1927 -- they are all buried at Chariton, Iowa, and brother Robert died about 1892 -- buried at Chariton also. He lived to the age of 85 and died in Bettendorf, IA on Aug. 13, 1969.
Daughter Mary Elizabeth Younkin (1838-1922) was born in June 1840 in Fultonham, Muskingum County. She died in Chariton, Lucas County, IA in 1922.
~ Son Jacob Younkin ~ Jacob Younkin (1796- ? ) was born on April 6, 1796 in Bedminster Township, Bucks County. He was christened in Keller's Lutheran Church on June 16 of the year of his birth, with Jacob Hockman serving as sponsor of the baptism. Nothing more is known.
~ Son Samuel Younkin ~ Samuel Younkin (1798-1895) was born on Sept. or Nov. 2, 1798 in Harper's Ferry, Jefferson County, VA (in what today is West Virginia). At the age of about seven months, on March 31, 1799, he was baptized in the Reformed Church of Loudoun County. His uncle and aunt, Johannes "John" and Catharina (Dorscheimer) Junghen were the baby's sponsors. At the age of 17, in about 1816, he moved with his family into Ohio. He and his brother John are considered among the earliest settlers near Porterville, Bearfield Township, Perry County, OH, with John coming there in about 1817. Samuel was an early teacher there as acknowledged in the book History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio, Their Past and Present. He also learned the trade of tailoring. On Oct. 3, 1822, in Perry County, Samuel was joined in holy matrimony with Catherine Godlove (March 3, 1797/1803- ? ), daughter of John Godlove. Rev. Allen Goff performed the nuptials.. They were the parents of 11 known offspring -- Joseph Younkin, Mary A. Tener, Henry A. Younkin, Abner Younkin, Elizabeth Iden, Nancy Younkin, William Younkin, Margaret Younkin, John Franklin Younkin, Samuel Younkin and Dr. George Wesley Younkin.
The couple made a home in Bearfield Township, Perry County, where Samuel "cleared up two large farms," said an 1887 history book of Washington County. "He was an official of his township from the earliest recollection of [his son Henry] and taught school before, and for many years after his marriage was engaged in that profession. His wife was a great weaver, and to this day has one of the old style looms in her house, and her nimble fingers yet fashion the stripes in homewoven carpets, and the click-clack of the flying shuttle is heard inthe old farm house where they have lived so many years. Samuel, too, understood weaving well, and in the early days wove large quantities of woolen goods, but as a weaver his crowning glory consisted in the manufacture of those old coverlets which will last a lifetime." They kept a family Bible printed in the German language, and inscribed in writing a record of births, marriages and deaths. The Bible was said to have been loaned to a friend who could only read in German, and that her house burned, consuming the Bible in the flames. The Younkins then acquired an English Bible and the family records were transferred therein. As the names and dates were being rewritten, Catherine thought them placed a year earlier than they actually occurred. In fact, an analysis of the material shows "Nov. 2" as the date of birth for Samuel and children Mary, Henry and Abner, which seems questionable, and may have been a guess on the family's part without the original record with which to compare. Samuel was sued by the State of Ohio on behalf of Bearfield Township for the March Term 1844. John Godlove and Jeremiah Godlove provided bail. He was found guilty and ordered to pay $67.71 in damages. The payment was made on Dec. 15, 1845, by the hand of John Younkin. In 1844, after 28 years in Ohio, when Samuel was age 46 and Catherine 47, they migrated to Iowa. They lived for awhile in Keokuk and later put down roots in Riverside, Washington County. He went on to acquire an 80-acre tract of land in Iowa Township and paid $400 to Nixon Scott for a claim which he later bought as well. Said the 1887 history, "A little round log cabin with a clapboard roof stood upon the eighty-acre tract, and into this the family moved." Son Henry, a boy of about 17, recalled that "The eaves were not over five feet high, and we had to stoop to get in at the door." A sod house addition was built at once, and in this the family passed a fairly comfortable winter. The second winter was passed in a nice double-log cabin, covered with a shingle root, and this was for many years known as "Younkin's Hotel;" the stage line from Iowa City to Fairfield passed this pioneer inn, and a post office w3as established there in 1856, with Samuel Younkin as Postmaster. The "Younkin Hotel" was a stage office, and frequently three or four stages would stop at one time. The hotel did quite a large transient trade for many years, and the post-office was continued until 1859. The old military road was a meandering one, and in fact passed many of the houses in the new country. Nathaniel McClure, a wealthy man who resided within what is now the limits of Riverside, concluded to open a hotel, and to make it profitable, petitioned the State Legislature to have the old military road resurveyed, and the bill was passed, which authorized the line from Keokuk to Dubuque to be opened and bridged at the expense of the State. This practically stopped traffic on the oldline, and the "Younkin Hotel" was discontinued. McClure's inn flourished a short time, until railroads put an end to stage travel. Samuel Younkin would not accept any official position after coming to Washington County, and his whole life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, in which he and his children have been remarkably successful. When Samuel was profiled in the 1880 book History of Washington County, Iowa, the narrative said that he "owns 305 acres of land, most of which he entered; his land is well improved, has a good house and barn besides a good bearing orchard." They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Riverside community.
The family grieved when son Samuel Younkin died at the age of about nine or 10 in 1851. Heartache cascaded over the family when married daughters Elizabeth Iden (1862) and Margaret Tansey (1863) died untimely deaths. In 1887, the couple received significant amounts of ink in a profile of their son Henry, the Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa. The biography said that they were the "oldest couple in Iowa Township. They have long since passed their golden wedding anniversary, but to-day at their advanced age, he in his eighty-ninth, and she in her eighty-fifty year, their health is remarkably good, and both do as much work upon the farm as almost any couple in the neighborhood. The longevity of the family is also remarkable, eighty odd years being the average; some of them have reached the advanced age of one hundred, and Samuel and his wife bid fair to reach that ripe old age. They are both of German origin, born in Virginia, and their marriage was celebrated in Perry County, Ohio...." As he neard his 90s, Samuel continued to weave coverlets as gifts for his children and grandchildren and in total made about 53. He once showed one of these creations to a visitor, who responded that "to say that no present couild be more highly esteemed, would hardly express their sentiments." Samuel was gathered in by the Angel of Death on July 15, 1895 at the age of about 91. Nearly a half century after his death, Samuel was profiled in the article "Younkins of the 4th Generation" in the April 30, 1938 edition of the Younkin Family News Bulletin. Catherine survived as a widow for another year. She passed away in Riverside on July 15, 1896 at the age of 93.
Son Joseph Younkin (1823-1891) was born on July 5, 1823 in Ohio. He migrated to Iowa as a bachelor in 1844. Then on Nov. 14, 1849, the 26-year-old Joseph was united in holy matrimony with 24-year-old Eliza Jane Iden (Nov. 10, 1825-1908), a native of Virginia, and the daughter of Alfred and Mary Ann (Bell) Iden. When Eliza Jane was six years old, she moved with her parents into Ohio and then in 1846, at the age of 20, migrated with them to Iowa, settling in Iowa Township, Washington County. Upon arrival, said the Davenport Quad-City Times, Joseph "purchased land from the government at $1.25 an acre." In all, he acquired an 80-acre tract which stayed in the family until 1962. The Younkins bore at least seven children -- Gelissa Mary Ann Allin, Laura Smith, Samuel E. Younkin, Elsie May Allin, Alfred H. Younkin, John H. Younkin and J. Morris Younkin. The family made its longtime home near Davenport and belonged to the local Methodist Episcopal Church, with Eliza Jane's membership lasting for 65 years. When the No. 1 School District was formed in Iowa Township near Riverside, Joseph was elected secretary and served until retirement in 1888, at which time his son John succeeded him. "The district is usually known as the 'Y,' because it is located near the 'Y' formed by the Rock Island Lines," said the Times. "The first school building, a log structure, was erected a mile west of the present building, two miles east of Riverside." On the fateful day of Feb. 12, 1891, while working on a roof, Joseph fell and was badly injured, dislocating the shoulder and breaking the blade. He suffered for five days before death mercifully carried him away on Feb. 17, 1891, at the age of 67 years. An obituary was printed in a Washington County newspaper. Eliza Jane outlived her spouse by 16 years. At the age of 82, while at the home of her son A.H. in Riverside, she passed into eternity on July 26, 1908. An obituary was printed in the Iowa City Press-Citizen, which reported that "Her pastor, Rev. H.F. Pugh conducted the funeral services on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 after which her body was placed beside her husband in our beautiful cemetery." Pallbearers were W.G. Cress, William Tener, B.J. Godlove, B.F. Flynn, A.D. Craig and George Craig. A printed eulogy said that "For nearly sixty-five years she has endeavored to live and walk in the way of the better life. Her life has been fruitful of good results. She was a loving and dutiful companion, a kind and indulgent mother and a good neighbor and citizen. She has answered the summons of Hkim who said, 'Be though faithul unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life'."
Great-granddaughter May Allin ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married (?) Brownfield and lived in Los Angeles. Their two known children were Violet Esterman and Allen Harry Brownfield. Violet is believed to have attended the 1991 Younkin Reunion-East. Allen (Nov. 2, 1904-1992), a native of Los Angeles, was a longtime supervising structural engineer employed by the State of California. Said a newspaper, he "was intrinsically involved with the construction of the San Francisco Bay Bridge." He also was a member of several professional associations. He died in Sacramento on Sept. 10, 1992. Burial was in East Lawn Memorial Park in Sacramento, with services led by Rev. Dr. Maurice Marcus, of the Fremont Presbyterian Church.
Great-grandson William Joseph Allin (1880-1941) was born on July 1, 1880 in Riverside. He married Adella Mary Williams on July 23, 1903 in nuptials held in Highland Park, CA. He resided in Porterville, Tulare County, CA and died there on Aug. 20, 1941. Great-granddaughter Jessie May Allin (1882-1971) was born on April 16, 1882. She was twice married. Her first spouse was Claude B. Bacon, and they made a home in Pasadena. She later wedded George Pedley. She passed into eternity on June 12, 1971. Great-grandson John Herbert Allin (1884- ? ) was born on Oct. 4, 1884. He wedded Jennie Johnston ( ? - ? ). was employed as Pasadena Deputy City Engineer in 1940. Great-granddaughter Florence Letitia Allin (1887-1913) was born on Sept. 30, 1887 in Pasadena. In June 1912, she was joined in marriage with Walter D. Parker. Great-grandson George Donald Allin (1893-1950) was born on July 3, 1893. On June 23, 1933, he was united in wedlock with Ruth Branson. They dwelled in Pasadena. George was swept away by the Angel of Death on Oct. 25, 1950.
Great-grandson Joseph Omar Younkin Great-granddaughter Velma J. Younkin (1897- ? ) was born on July 27, 1897. On Feb. 24, 1925, she was married to Cloyd Ernest Whitlock (Dec. 19, 1897- ? ), son of Charles Wesley and Nancy A. (Green) Whitlock of Riverside. Cloyd was employed over the years as a trucker and mechanic, making a home in Riverside. Their five children were were Donna Grace Whiting, Daris Whitlock, Doran Whitlock, Velma Whitlock and Cloyd Whitlock.
Daughter Mary A. Younkin (1825-1916) was born on Nov. 2, 1825 near Zanesville, Muskingum County, OH. She was about 19 years old when she and her family settled in Iowa, coming "in a covered wagon, before Iowa was a state," said a newspaper. On St. Patrick's Day 1846, the 20-year-old Mary was joined in matrimony with Frederick "Fred" Tener (March 10, 1814-1897), also known as "Ferdinand," a resident of Washington County but a native of Carroll County, MD. The couple bore four known children -- William Tener, Kate Tener, Huldah Jane "Jennie" Kaye and John W. Tener as well as Mrs. Tim Sim and Mrs. Charles Wood. Sadly, at the age of 83, Fred died in Riverside on June 18, 1897. Mary lived for another 18 years and succumbed to la grippe at the age of 91 on Jan. 14, 1916. Her remains were placed into eternal repose in the Catholic Church Cemetery in Riverside.
Son Henry A. Younkin (1827-1920) was born on Nov. 2, 1827 in Ohio. At the age of 17, in 1844, he migrated west with his parents and siblings to Washington County, IA. When he reached the age of 21, in 1849, Henry left his parents' home and ventured out on his own. He spent a winter in Arkansas and Mississippi, and the next winter in Wisconsin, lumbering pine along the Chippewa River. He later returned to Iowa where he spent the rest of his years. Henry waited until he was age 33 to marry. On Dec. 6, 1860, he was united in wedlock with Mary Ann Iden (Jan. 1, 1831-1912), daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Harring) Iden and a native of Deavertown, Morgan County, OH. She was a cousin of Eliza J. Iden who married Henry's brother Joseph. Mary Ann was only two months old when her mother died, and she was raised by her Harring grandparents near Fosterville, Perry County. She then came to Iowa in 1856 to reside with an uncle, Alfred Iden. Their two children were Wilbur Younkin and Emma C. Younkin. The first house in which the Younkins lived was still standing as of 1887, but had been moved to make way for a more modern farm home. They remained on that farm for 52 years, located two miles east of Riverside, Washington County. Henry was active in the community and served as assessor of Iowa Township and as a trustee for three years. He also spent 14 years as treasurer of the local school district, and he and Mary Ann were said to be "earnest advocates of everything pertaining to the advancement of educational interests. In 1887, Henry was profiled in the book Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa. Mary Ann died on June 12, 1912 at the age of 81. Rev. H.F. Pugh, of the local Methodist Episcopal Church, officiated at the funeral service. Eight years later, Henry was carried away by the Angel of Death at the age of 92 on Sept. 16, 1920.
Son Abner Younkin (1829-1896) was born on Nov. 2, 1829 in Perry County, OH. At the age of about 17, in 1844, he may have stayed behind hen his family migrated to Iowa. Abner was twice married. His first bride was Martha Jane Young (1835-1876), whom he wed in 1855 in Perry County. They were the parents of Cyrus Lorenzo Dow Younkin, Francis Asbury "Frank" Younkin, Ida J. Younkin, Uretta A. Younkin, Samuel Younkin, Effa "Effie" Stella Vail Tallon Bettis, Abner "Evans" Younkin Sr. and Katrine Minnie Younkin. Sadly, daughter Uretta died at the age of about one in 1864 and was placed into repose in Riverside Cemetery. Heartache cascaded through the family when Martha Jane died of tuberculosis ("consumption") at the age of 41 on March 29, 1876. After two years of grieving, Abner wed his second bride, Rebecca Fesler (Aug. 12, 1844-1923), daughter of Samuel and Fanny Fesler of Liberty Township, Johnson County. Their wedding was held in 1878. The couple produced two children of their own -- Fannie Younkin and Mary Ruth Younkin. Abner resided in Riverside and was taxed on his ownership of 110 acres in 1894. He also was a member of the Iowa Township board of supervisors in 1876. Stricken with kidney disease, he passed away in Riverside on May 21, 1896 at the age of 66. He rests for all time in Riverside Cemetery. Rebecca spent her final years in Iowa City at 213 South Capitol Street and was considered "one of the beloved pioneers of Southeastern Iowa," said the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She "was a devoted mother, and her greatest enjoyment was to live and do for her children. She had made her home with her daughter, Miss Mary Younkin, for the last 12 years, and in that home and elsewhere grief has come to those who esteemed and loved her." She died on Oct. 8, 1923. In an obituary, the Press-Citizen remarked that "She has been ill for the last two months, and in a critical condition during the last fortnight." Burial was in Riverside Cemetery following funeral services held at the local Methodist Church. The epitaph on their red barre granite grave marker reads: "God giveth, God taken away, our Mother." Their daughter married H.J. Vail of Pasadena, CA.
Great-granddaughter Edith Frances Younkin (1889- ? ) was born in March 1889 in Boston.
Great-granddaughter Floy Younkin (1884-1967) was born on Oct. 22, 1884 in Cameron, MO. She was united in holy matrimony with Omar Parker ( ? - ? ). Photographs suggest that Floy became a nurse. She was in Pasadena, CA in 1948. She passed away in Sept. 1967. Great-grandson Raymond Albert Younkin (1900-1986) was born on Aug. 24, 1900 in New Sharon, Mahaska County. On May 1, 1921, when he was age 20, Raymond wedded Alice Anna Potheven (Oct. 22, 1900- ? ). The produced three children -- Harriet Corinne Lowell, Francis Albert Younkin and Carol Ann Younkin. Raymond died at the age of about 86 on April 14, 1986. Alice survived and moved to Glendale, AZ. She was in contact with Donna (Younkin) Logan, founder of the Younkin Reunion East of the 1990s, and a photograph of Raymond's family was published in Vol. #3 of the modern Younkin Family News Bulletin. Step-great-grandson Leonard Cowles (1890- ? ) was born in Sept. 1890. He married Edna Duffus ( ? - ? ). Nothing more is known.
Great-granddaughter Laura June Barbour (1881- ? ) was born in June 1881. At the age of 28, on June 22, 1909, she was united in matrimony with Francis A. Mather ( ? - ? ), son of Peter S. and Annie E. (Thompson) Mather. They dwelled in 1948 in Van Nuys, CA. Great-granddaughter Ida Florence Barbour (1883- ? ) was born in Nov. 1883. At the age of 27, she lived at home and worked as a bookkeeper for a real estate firm in New Sharon. Great-granddaughter Edith Edna Barbour (1885- ? ) was born in Oct. 1885, a twin with her sister Edna. As with her twin sister, Edith was employed as a teacher in the city schools of New Sharon in 1908-1910. When she was age 25, on Oct. 5, 1910, she wedded Harry A. Wilson ( ? - ? ), son of A.C. and Libbie (Darrah) Wilson. Evidence suggests that it was a double wedding with her twin Edna and Carl L. Ranger. Great-granddaughter Edna Edith Barbour (1885- ? ) was born in Oct. 1885, a twin with her sister Edith. As with her twin sister, Edna was employed as a teacher in the city schools of New Sharon in 1910. On Oct. 5, 1910, in Mahaska County, she was joined in wedlock with Carl L. Ranger ( ? - ? ), son of Clark W. and Viola S. (Lee) Ranger. Clues hint that it was a double wedding with her twin Edith and Harry A. Wilson. She was in Los Angeles in 1948. Great-granddaughter Nellie Gladys Barbour (1893- ? ) was born in March 1893.
Great-granddaughter Ruth Younkin married (?) Colynn ( ? - ? ). In 1948, they lived in South Laguna, CA.
Daughter Elizabeth Younkin (1830-1862) was born on June 22, 1830 in Ohio. At the age of 14, she and her family became pioneer settlers of Iowa. In nuptials held in or near Riverside, Washington County, IA, she was married on Dec. 3, 1857 to Thomas H. Iden (April 1829- ? ), son of Alfred and Mary Ann (Bell) Iden. In their short five years of marriage, the couple bore four sons -- Charles H. Iden, Chris Iden, William W. Iden and George W. Iden. Sadly, she died at the age of about 32 on Nov. 14, 1862, possibly due to the after-effects of childbirth with her son George. Thomas married a second time to Ohio native Harriet "Hattie" Holmes (1837- ? ) and produced offspring of their own, Kate Iden, Frank iden and John Iden. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1870, Thomas and Hattie lived on a farm in Iowa Township, Washington County. Then during the 1870s, they pulled up stakes and moved to Kansas, making a home in Houston Township, Smith County, as shown in the 1880 census. Living under their roof in 1880 was Thomas' 18-year-old sister-in-law Martha Holmes. Evidence suggests that Harriet died between 1880 and 1900. When the U.S. Census again was taken in 1900 of Harvey Township, Smith County, Thomas was shown as widowed, with 38-year-old sister-in-law Martha Holmes still in the residence, along with 14-year-old servant James Chapman.
Great-granddaughter Georgia Etta Younkin (1890-1973) was born on May 24, 1890 in Washington County, IA. She was stricken with scarlet fever as a child and and was rendered deaf and unable to speak. She studied at the School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs. As an adult, on Feb. 4, 1914, she was joined in marriage with a fellow deaf-mute, widower William Oliver Barritt (1873-1923), a resident of Council Bluffs, IA and the son of Oliver Lindsay and Emma Carolina (Staffansson) Barritt. Their wedding was conducted with a primitive type of sign language which allowed the minister to ask both groom and bride for their consent to marry. William had been married once before to Jennie M. (1875-1904). Georgia and William bore a daughter of their own, Bessie Mae Temple. Sadly, William was carried away by the Angel of Death in 1923 after only a few years of marriage. Georgia lived a long life in Council Bluffs. As a resident of Woodlawn Convalescent Home in Waterloo, IA, she passed into eternity on July 15, 1973 at the age of 83. A short death notice appeared in the Waterloo Courier. She rests in Calvary Cemetery in Waterloo, Black Hawk County, IA. Their daughter Bessie was joined in marriage with Corp. Kenneth F. Temple of Portsmouth, VA in Sept. 1937. Great-grandson Homer Carl "Cal" Younkin (1896-1939) was born on June 11, 1896 in Oakland, IA. As a boy, he was stricken with scarlet fever as a child and and was rendered deaf and unable to speak. He never married. Circa 1930, clues hint that he worked in Madison, WI. At the age of 47, he may have lived in the Salvation Army facility of Davenport, IA in 1938, with a complaint made that he was there despite status as a non-resident of the town. He earned a living as a laborer with the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. Stricken with degeneration of his spinal cord, leading to paralysis, he was admitted to Broadlawns General Hospital in Des Moines. He died there on Jan. 5, 1939 at the age of 42. His remains were buried in Hamblin Cemetery in Macksburg, Madison County, and his father had the sad task of signing the death certificate. Great-grandson Lyle William Younkin (1894-1969) was born on Sept. 10, 1894 in Iowa. Stricken with scarlet fever as a young boy, he became deaf and not able to speak. He grew up in Lorimor. In 1901, at the age of seven, he was admitted to the Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs. Said the Marshalltown Evening Times-Republican, in a June 1914 article, "His industrial work has been in the printing and book binding department, and the subject chosen for his essay is appropriately 'Printing'." When the 1920 census was taken, Lyle boarded in the home of Mary Rowe in Muskogee, Muskogee County, OK. He earned a living that year as a "carpenter-general work." At the age of 28, in about 1922, he was joined in wedlock with 22-year-old Anna B. ( ? - ? ). They dwelled in Des Moines, with him working as a carpenter and her as a seamstress for an overalls factory. The couple relocated to Dallas during the 1930s where he continued his carpentry work, focusing on building construction. Death took him away in Dallas, TX on Sept. 26, 1969.
Son John Franklin Younkin (1840-1937) was born on Nov. 29, 1839/1840 in Ohio. He was but a boy of four when he and his family relocated from Ohio to Iowa. He stood 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with dark hair, dark complexion and hazel-colored eyes. After the outbreak of the Civil War, John joined the Union Army as a member of the 24th Iowa Infantry, Company D. A feature story about him in a local newspaper said that he was "one of three volunteers of the original 110 members of Company D of the 24th Iowa Infantry who marched through six hard battles and a hundred skirmishes in the south without a scratch from sword or bullet." Among the known battles in which he took part were Magnolia Hill and Champion Hill, MS and Black River. The Iowa City Press-Citizen once reported that after Black River, Company D traveled to New Orleans following the siege of Vicksburg and later to Virginia where it joined the forces of Sherman. With that army he fought in the battles of Berryville, Winchester, Cedar Creek and Bull Head Mountain. They then crossed to Goldsburg where they joined Sherman's army. They were preparing for battle in Carolina with Sherman's forces when word reached them that the war had ended. Following this the army was sent to Georgia and later to Pennsylvania and then to Davenport for demobilization. Another newspaper noted that once the war ended, "In '65, with the other Boys in Blue, this eligible young bachelor marched home. First it seemed a glamorous picture of heroic romance. But John Younkin soon thought otherwise. 'The fact is, that there were so many girls around that I got sick of them,' Mr. Younkin said. That is the only explanation he cares to give for his celibacy." As an adult, he lived east of Riverside with his unmarried sister Nancy, who cooked and kept house for him. Then in about 1907, they relocated into Iowa City. John secured a military pension as compensation for his wartime service and received monthly government checks for the rest of his life. [Invalid App. #461.553 - Cert. #250.053] John was mentioned in a Davenport Quad-City Times article of Dec. 20, 1936 about his nephew Samuel's 50th wedding anniversary, which noted that John was "the only local Civil war veteran." After his sister's death in 1920, said the newspaper, "he lives entirely alone in the 10-room house that stands beneath four giant oak trees on a hill in Riverside. He splits wood and carries in each day three heavy buckets of coal." To pass the time, he smoked 10-cent cigars and played cards with local teenage girls. His brother George, a local physician, served as his "constant" medical advisor and at one point instructed a dentist to pull all of John's teeth, at which point his health improved. John was said to be the oldest automobile owner in the county but gave up driving in 1931. A 1936 article in a local newspaper was headlined "A Hero, with 'Plenty of Girls,' Yet Never Wed in His 96 Years," authored by staff writer George Shane. He died in Mercy Hospital in Iowa City on Aug. 14, 1937 at the age of 96. Rev. C.E. Fitzsimmons, John's former pastor, officiated at the funeral service, with assistance from Rev. Judson T. Perkins. Mrs. L.R. Bates and Mrs. R.I. Marner sang hymns, accompanied by pianist Mrs. Harold Cress. Pallbearers included American Legion members Henry Manasmith, Clarence Rummelhart, Norval Flynn, Hubert E. Doud, Andrew Birrer and Cloyd Whitlock. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery, with taps played at graveside. His obituary was republished in the inaugural edition of the Younkin Family News Bulletin at Christmas 1937.
Son Dr. George Wesley Younkin (1946-1943) was born on Sept. 5, 1846 in Washington County when Iowa was still a territory of the United States. He was the only child in the large family to be born in Iowa. On Dec. 6, 1876, he married Sarah Alice Anderson (Dec. 1856/1858- ? ). They were the parents of five -- Gordon H. Younkin, Mabel M. Younkin, G. Dwight Younkin, Ernestine Younkin and Alsie Younkin. As a young man, George desired to become a Methodist missionary and studied for the ministry. As a pastor, in the Methodist-Episcopal Church, he was pastor of a congregation in Wapello, IA and in 1887 in Kellogg, IA. Later, in 1876, he graduated from Iowa State University with a medical degree. He thus was an ordained Methodist minister and physician and worked in both fields for many years. The family made a home in Riverside, IA. A teetotaler, he "never drunk an ounce of liquor in his life," his brother John once said. In the community, he was a member of the Middle Link Lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). The federeal census enumeration of 1880 shows that nephew Frank A. Younkin and brother-in-law Joseph T. Anderson in the household. When his brother John was profiled in a 1936 story in the Des Moines Register, George was said to be an "Iowa country doctor and one of the state's veteran physicians. For approximately 50 years he has practiced medicine in eastern and southern Iowa." The towns in which he practiced were Richmond, Lone Tree, Wapello and Riverside. He maintained an office in the second floor of a building on Riverside's Main Street, with his living space on the same floor. He was pictured in the April 30, 1938 edition of the Younkin Family News Bulletin. Later that year, in August 1938, he was named in an Iowa City Press-Citizen article about the annual Younkin-Godlove Reunion, saying he was too infirm to attend. He once told an inquiring newspaper reporter that "Really, you want to know why we live so long, sir,?... It is because the name is Younkin, sir!" He was admitted to the IOOF Hospital in Mason City where he died at the age of 96 on May 16, 1943. Rev. G.H. Bamford, pastor of the Grace Evangelical Church, officiated at the funeral held in the IOOF Home chapel.
~ Son Abraham Younkin ~ Abraham Younkin (1800?- ? ) was born in about 1800. When a young man, Abraham relocated to the burgeoning town of Lancaster, Fairfield County, OH. He acquired lot 10 in town from Abraham Ruger in 1821. When a Presbyterian Church was constructed in 1822-1823, Abraham traded tailoring services in return for a $10 credit as a subscriber to the fund. This was recorded in Charles M.L. Wiseman's 1898 book Centennial History of Lancaster, Ohio, and Lancaster People. The U.S. Census of 1830 shows that 12 people lived under the Younkins' roof in Fairfield County. Abraham joined the Masonic lodge in Lancaster. Among the other members were Gotlieb Steinman, John Noble, Thomas H. Cushing and George Sanderson. Then in 1834, Abraham sold his lot 10 to Tunis Cox. The Younkins relocated to Hancock County, OH, settling in or near the town of Findlay. There, Abraham continued to earn a lliving as a tailor. In 1846, Abraham was a charter member of the Hancock Lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows. When the federal census was taken in Findlay in 1850, Abraham headed a household which also included physician Jesse Beeson, his wife Susan, their children Sarah and Jerome, and 20-year-old Mary Stuart. On Oct. 22, 1852, a charter was granted to form a Masons lodge in Findlay, with Abraham as an original member and holding the initial office of Master. Others in the original group were Abel F. Parker, Edwin Parker, David Patton, J.M. Coffinberry, George Arnold, Adolphus Morse, E.S. Reed and C.B. Wilson. The lodge grew, and Abraham helped obtain another charter to form a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, where he held the office of King. Said Daniel B. Beardsley's 1881 book History of Hancock County From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, "The chapter has always held its meetings in same room with the Lodge. Its membership is now about forty." Abraham was elected Mayor of Findlay serving during the 1847-1852 period, succeeded by George W. Galloway. His fate will be added here when learned. Abraham is named in the 1910 book by Jacob A. Kimmell, Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County Ohio and Representative Citizens, and in the 1961 book by William Depue Humphrey, Findlay: The Story of a Community. In its edition of Sept. 6, the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette named Abraham as one of Lancaster's original settlers in Square 12 on the south side of Mulberry Hill.
~ Daughter Mary Magdalena (Younkin) Atkins ~ Mary Magdalena Younkin (1804- ? ) was born in on Jan. 16, 1804 in Loudoun County, VA. She was baptized in the Reformed Congregation, with John George and Elisabeth (?) serving as the christening sponsors. In Perry County, OH, on April 4, 1822, the 18-year-old Mary wedded Elijah Atkins ( ? - ? ). John Wilson officiated. This marriage is recorded in a compilation by Calvin L. McClintock of New Lexington, OH and published in Vol. XIV, No. 1 of Ohio Records and Pioneer Families published by Esther Weygandt Powell (Jan.-March 1973). This couple has not yet been found on the 1850 United States Census. More will be added here when learned.
~ Son Joseph Younkin ~
Joseph Younkin (1806-1899) was born on Aug. 24, 1806 in Lovettsville, Loudoun County, VA, described by family years later as "near Fortress Monroe," a famed Civil War supply installation. As an infant, with his name spelled "Junkin," he was christened on Oct. 2, 1806 in the nearby New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church. His sponsors were Conrad and Elisabeth Roller. Joseph moved with his parents to Ohio, and in 1830 he purchased acreage in Muskingum County. At the age of 26, on Aug. 18, 1833, Joseph wedded Susan Meek (March 20, 1810-1876). The Younkins initially made a home in the mid-1830s in Gratiot, a village straddling the border of Licking/Muskingum Counties, OH. The couple bore eight known children -- Erastus Scott Younkin, Rufus Henry Younkin, Samuel Glass Younkin, David Chambers Younkin, Moses Meek Younkin, Joseph Younkin, Edward C. Younkin and Caroline Matilda Younkin. The family was plunged into grief when losing five children age six or under during the span of years 1840 to 1853. Sons Erastus (1840) and David (1844) died during their years in Gratiot.
In 1846, the Younkins relocated to Iowa, "most of the journey being made by boat by way of St. Louis and Peoria, Illinois," said the 1914 book Story of Lee County, Iowa, by Nelson Cummins Roberts and Samuel W. Moorhead. Their first home was in Farmington, Van Buren County, circa 1848, where they stayed for 15 years. During that period, sons Moses (1847), Joseph Jr. (1849) and Edward (1853) died in young childhood. Then in 1864, the family pulled up stakes and made a move to a farm in Montrose, Lee County, IA. Susan died in Montrose at the age of 65 on Feb. 1, 1876. Joseph outlived his bride by 23 years. He retired from farming and moved into the town of Keokuk, where he spent about seven years. Burdened by Iowa's hard winters and their effect on his health, he migrated to Southern California in about 1892 and made a home in Los Angeles. He died there at the age of 92 on Feb. 8, 1899. His remains were shipped back to Iowa to rest in Montrose. An obituary in the the Gate City said that he "was one of the pioneers of Lee county.... He was a man of sterling character and was possessed of good business ability. His many years of life far exceeding the number allotted to man were but the harvest of his spent days." Joseph's baptismal records today are on deposit in the Lutheran Theological Seminary Library in Gettysburg, PA.
Son Rufus Henry Younkin (1836-1928) was born on Aug. 15 or 17, 1836 in Gratiot, Licking/Muskingum Counties, OH. He was profiled in the book Story of Lee County, Iowa, by Nelson Cummins Roberts and Samuel W. Moorhead, which said that he "began his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses common in frontier districts. When ten years of age he accompanied his parents to Iowa, most of the journey being made by boat by way of St. Louis and Peoria, Illinois." Their first home was in Farmington, Van Buren County, where they stayed for 15 years. Said the Story, "He completed his education in the public schools of Farmington, which he attended through the winter seasons to the age of nineteen years, devoting the summer months to work in the fields upon his father's farm." Then in 1864, Rufus joined his parents in another move to Montrose, Lee County, IA. While in Montrose, on March 31, 1870, the 33-year-old Rufus was joined in wedlock with Blanche A. Sawyer ( ? - ? ), daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Snodgrass) Sawyer of Montroe. The couple's five children were Joseph Samuel Younkin, Thomas S. Younkin, Katy Younkin, Ralph A. Younkin and Susan "Susie" Younkin. "Following their marriage," the Story said, "the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Montrose township and for thirty-five years Mr. Younkin continued to devote his energies to general agricultural pursuits and became the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred acres, which is still in his possession. He brought the fields to a high state of cultivation and added all modern accessorities and equipments to his farm." In 1902, he helped organize the Montrose Savings Bank and eventually was elected president. It was founded with $10,000 in capital which by 1911 increased to $20,000. The Story said that the bank "is now in a flourishing condition and is regarded as one of the strong financial enterprises in the county." He also owned property in Los Angeles and is known to have visited the Southern California property in July 1901 as chronicled in the Los Angeles Herald. Rufus also was a town councilman and was Republican in his politics. He also was an active leader with the local Presbyterian Church. Rufus retired in 1905, and he and Blanche moved into the town of Montrose. He passed away in Montrose on June 5, 1928. In summing up Rufus' profile, the Story said that "His life has been guided by high and honorable principles, and upon his industry and his pereseverance he has builded the success which now crowns his efforts."
Son Samuel Glass Younkin (1839-1919) was born on Sept. 11, 1839 in Gratiot, a village straddling the border of Licking/Muskingum Counties, OH. He was age seven when he accompanied his parents and siblings to Iowa. On Nov. 29, 1866, at the age of 27, he was joined in wedlock with Lucretia Curtis (July 12, 1840-1927), a native of Flint, Genessee County, MI and the daughter of Daniel and Emily (Woodford) Curtis of Montrose, Lee County, IA. The couple produced four offspring -- Henry Albert Younkin, Cora Belle Fisher, Samuel Curtis Younkin and William Younkin. Heartache blanketed the family in 1872 when eldest son Henry died at the age of about one on March 16, 1872. When the 1887 book Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee County was published, Samuel was featured in a lengthy biographical profile. The bio noted that he was "an honored pioneer of the Hawkeye State [and] is a prominent and successful farmer and stock-breeder, and occupies a fine homestead on section 4, Montrose Township." He came to the State of Iowa when it was in its infancy, and has marked its development and progress with gratified interest. He has also aided materially in the opening up of this section, having been one of its most energetic and enterprising settlers. His own early example of industry and economy not only stimulated his neighbors to their best exertions, but he has given cheerfully and liberally of his time and means for the encouragement of every good work and purpose whose object has been to advance the interests of his county and township. He has met with difficulties and discouragements like most other men, but has suffered nothing to move him from his purpose of becoming a man among men and a useful and worthy citizen. That he has succeeded in this is clearly indicated by the esteem in which he is held among his fellow-citizens. The family homestead is one of the attractive spots of Lee County. Mr. Younkin is quite extensively engaged in the breeding of high-grade stock, consisting of Short-horn cattle and Berkshire hogs. He occupies a fine farm dwelling, has a good barn, and everythign necessary for the convenient storing of grain, and the shelter of stock.
Samuel was elected to several offices in the Montrose Township governance body. He and Lucretia were active members of the local Presbyterian Church. Samuel passed away in Montrose at the age of 80 on Sept. 14, 1919. His remains were interred in Montrose Cemetery, with Rev. Alva S. Covert officiating. An obituary was printed in the local newspaper, which said that "Mr. Younkin was of that class of men who make communities worth while and who are the strength of the state and the nation and who stabilize society. He was honest and straightforward. he believed in men and in the best things and he went about the tasks of life with such heartiness that it gave him success. While never physically strong, yet he so managed his farming as to keep always ahead of the job. He was therefore one of the model farmers of the community. No boy or young man ever came in touch with him that if they took the advice kindly given were better for it. Mr. Younkin was a model husband and father, for his insight into the needs of his family, made him very attentive to every obligation of the home, and his home was one of the happy ones in which it visit to live and grow up. Mr. Younkin will be missed in the church. While not on the church roll yet he read and believed his bible, he trusted in the atonement Jesus the Christ has made and was one of those who gave the larger gifts. He will be missed in the business life of the community and especially in his home and by his large circle of relatives and intimate friends." Lucretia survived as a widow for eight years. She died in Montrose at age 86 on July 7, 1927.
Daughter Caroline Matilda Younkin (1852-1898) was born on Christmas Day 1852, likely in Farmington, Van Buren County, IA. She is known to have died at the age of 45 on Sept. 14, 1898.
~ Daughter Sarah “Sally” (Younkin) Trout ~ Sarah “Sally” Younkin (1801- ? ) was born in 1801 near Lovettsville, Loudoun County, VA, presumed by researcher Donna (Younkin) Logan to be of this family. On Nov. 28, 1823, in Perry County, OH, at the age of 22, she was joined in holy wedlock with 25-year-old Johannes "John" Trout (March 13, 1798-1836), also a native of Lovettsville and the son of Casper and Mary Ann (Ament) Trout. Her brother "Squire" John Younkin, a local justice of the peace -- who was married to John Trout's sister Margaret -- performed the nuptials ceremony. The couple initially made their home in Ohio. Their children were Eli Trout, Harrison Trout, Mary Jane Trout and William Trout. Sadly, John died young -- age about 37 or 38 -- in 1836. His remains were placed into eternal rest in Holcomb Cemetery in Yellowtown, Perry County.. Then in the Spring Term 1845, in Perry County Court of Common Pleas, the widowed Sarah along with Harrison Trout, Mary Jane Trout and William Trout were sued by John Younkin and Isaac Bennett in a legal move to partition the family farm so that its proceeds could be divided equally among heirs.
The widowed Sarah set her sights on her future and decided that her prospects in the West were appealing. Sometime in the late 1840s, she and her children relocated to Iowa, settling on a farm in Mahaska County. She is shown there in the 1850 and 1860 federal census enumerations. Her farm in 1860 was in Madison Township, and her post office was Oskaloosa. Charlotte's fate is not yet known. Son Eli Trout Sr. (1823-1903) was born on March 28, 1823 in Beaver City, Perry County, OH. During the 1850s, he married New York native Charlotte Mettler (Sept. 1823/1828-1901). They initially lived near Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, IA and were the parents of Sodema (?) Trout, Ira Trout, George Trout, Eli Trout Jr., John W. Trout, Lusetta M. Dunsmoor and Irvin Ellis Trout. Eli successfully obtained a patent on 40 acres of "Des Moines River Land" in Mahaska County. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1880, Eli and Charlotte resided in Madison Township, Mahaska County, near to the homeplace of his brother Harrison. During the period between 1880 and 1900, the couple pushed into Nebraska and settled in Western, Johnson County. During the winter of 1893, wrote S.B. McVey in the Religious Telescope newspaper, Eli "was converted and joined the United Brethren Church ... and remained an esteemed and faithful member until the day of his death." The 1900 U.S. Census shows them as boarders in the home of their married daughter Lusetta Dunsmoor and family. are known to have been in Lewiston, Johnson County, NE. Sadly, Charlotte passed into eternity in Crab Orchard, Johnson County on Jan. 7, 1901. Eli outlived her by about two years and died at the age of 78 on Jan. 20, 1903. Burial was in Vesta Cemetery.
Great-grandson Linneaus "Lineous" Trout (1880- ? ) was born in Dec. 1880 in Iowa. Circa 1930, he dwelled in Lincoln, NE. Great-granddaughter Dora Trout (1883- ? ) was born in April 1883 in Nebraska. She married (?) Manning and lived in York, NE in 1930. Then by 1936, she was wedded to Elmer Monnismith of York. Great-grandson Clarence Gilbert Trout (1885- ? ) was born in Jan. 1885 in Nebraska. He resided in Hayes Center in 1930 and in Culbertson in 1936.
Great-grandson Byron Trout ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He was married. Byron made his home in 1923 in Bloomfield, Knox County, NE and in 1938 in Bloomington, Franklin County, NE. When his father died in the winter of 1938, Byron and his wife traveled to Wymore for the funeral. Great-grandson Myron Trout lived at home in Wymore, NE in 1928. Step-great-grandson Ray Stevens dwelled in Wymore in 1938. Step-great-grandson Lee Stevens resided in 1938 in Grand Island, NE.
Great-granddaughter Eleanor Dunsmoor (1883- ? ) was born in Dec. 1883 in Iowa. Great-granddaughter Etta Dunsmoor (1885- ? ) was born in Aug. 1885 in Nebraska. Great-grandson Carlton L. "Carl" Dunsmoor (1887-1981) was born in Nov. 1887 in Nebraska or South Dakota. (Sources differ.) At the age of 21, in 1910, he lived with his parents in Fowler, CO and worked as a salesman in his father's grocery store. He married Laura (1897- ? ), a native of North Carolina. The couple's known children were Agatha K. Dunsmoor and Marion F. Dunsmoor. They dwelled on a farm in Precinct 26, Otero County, CO in 1920 and at Crested Butte, CO in 1921. In late August 1921, Carl hosted a visit from his uncles George and Irvin Trout of Nebraska City, as noted in the gossip columns of the Nebraska State Journal. When he was age 48, in 1935, he married again to Eva Violet Porter (July 17, 1893-1955). In Jan. 1981, at the age of 93, Carlton died in Colorado. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery in Fremont County. Great-granddaughter Edna Dunsmoor (1889- ? ) was born in Oct. 1889 in Nebraska. Great-grandson Harry Dunsmoor (1892- ? ) was born on Oct. 9, 1892 in South Dakota. When he was 17, in 1910, he drove a delivery wagon for his father's retail grocery store in Fowler, CO. In 1919, he was united in marriage with Sallie Pearl Bevard (1895-1975). Their home in 1920 was in Fowler, Otero County, CO, where he made a living as a driver with an automobile livery. At the age of 87, he was cut down by the Grim Reaper in Florence, Fremont County, CO on Oct. 23, 1979. Burial was in Fowler Cemetery in Otero County. Great-grandson Chester Olas Dunsmoor (1895-1979) was born on March 30, 1895 in Nebraska. At the age of 23, in about 1918, Chester wedded 18-year-old Gladys "Fay" Crites (1899-1985), a native of Oklahoma. Their one known son was Donald L. Dunsmoor. Chester served as a private in the U.S. Army during World War I. The couple dwelled next to his parents in Precinct 26, Otero County, CO in 1920. By 1930, Chester had secured employment as janitor of a public school in Fowler, Otero County. He died on April 21, 1979 and is buried in Fowler Cemetery in Otero County. Great-granddaughter Myrtle Dunsmoor (1900- ? ) was born in 1900 in Nebraska. Great-grandson Wilbur Dunsmoor (1905- ? ) was born in 1905 in Nebraska. In 1920, at 14 years of age, Wilbur assisted his father with work on the home farm in Otero County, CO. He died at the age of 36 on March 23, 1942 in Fowler, Otero Couinty. An obituary was published in the Fowler Tribune, and burial took place in Fowler Cemetery.
Great-grandson Leroy E. Trout ( ? - ? ) may have died young. Great-grandson Orville Trout (1891- ? ) was born in Oct. 1891 in Nebraska. Great-grandson Harold Harvey Trout (1895- ? ) was born in Jan. 1895 in Nebraska. Son Harrison Trout (1827-1910) was born on March 10, 1827 or 1830 in Ohio. He never learned to write. At the age of 33 in 1860, unmarried, he lived with his widowed mother near Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, IA and earned a living as a farmer. Then in about 1866, he was joined in holy wedlock with widow Elizabeth J. (Cruzen) McLean (March 8, 1939-1918). She appears to have been married before to Jonathan McClean (1839-1863) and brought offspring to the second union, Charles H.M. McClean and Jennie G. McClean. When in 1880 the United States Census was taken, the family lived near Harrison's brother Eli and family and Elizabeth's relatives James and Jerome Cruzen in Madison Township, Mahaska County. They made a longtime home in Mahaska. Harrison entered eternity on Oct. 5, 1910. Elizabeth passed away on New Year's Day 1918. They are buried in Madison Cemetery in Mahaska County.
Presumed daughter Mary Jane Trout ( ? - ? ) is only known from when she was named in a lawsuit where her mother and siblings were sued to force a division of the family farm in Perry County, Ohio. Son William Trout (1831- ? ) was born in about 1831.
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