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'Weasel Jake' Younkin
(1824-1879)

 
Jake and Katie Younkin family. Front, left: John Wesley Younkin. Back, L-R: (?) and Ada (King) Younkin. Courtesy Edward Younkin and Younkin Family News Bulletin.

 

Jacob's grave, 1879

Jacob W. "Weasel Jake" Younkin was born on April 8, 1824 (or 1822) in Turkeyfoot Township, the son of Jacob and Sarah "Salome" (Weimer) Younkin Jr. How he was dubbed with his unusual nickname is not yet known. 

As an 11-month-old baby, Jake received his christening at the Laurel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Somerset County. 

On Sept. 30, 1850, at the age of 26, Jake was united in marriage with 17-year-old Catherine "Katie" Faidley (1833-1893), daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Meyers) Faidley. Rev. John Harned of Harnedsville, Somerset County, officiated.

There was a gap of nine to 10 years in the ages of the groom and bride. Katie could neither read nor write. The Younkin and Faidley families were close -- Katie's aunt Sarah Faidley had married Jake's cousin, Frederick F. Younkin -- her aunt Susanna Faidley had wed Rev. Herman Younkin -- her aunt Delilah Faidley had been united in matrimony with Jake's brother Frederick J. Younkin -- and her uncle John Faidley had married Hila Younkin.

The Younkins went on to produce a dozen children -- Cyrus Younkin, Levi H. Younkin, Harriet V. Moon, Elizabeth E. Heinbaugh, William "Henry" Younkin, John "Wesley" Younkin, Amanda Belle Snyder, Peter Albert Younkin, Jacob "Calvin" Younkin, Sarah "Sadie" Younkin, Oscar Emerson Younkin and Ermina "Emma" Younkin.

He held an account at the John McMillan tannery in Listonville, and entries from the years 1850 to 1867 are recorded in the tannery's business ledger which is preserved today. The entries read as follow: 

...a Qr. of shoe leather weight 6½, cost $2.03, Dec. 18, 1850 – a Qr. of up, cost $1.12 and 8 lbs. Spanish shoe leather, cost $2.40, Sept. 13, 1851 – Mare in pasture, $1.25, 1854 – Sawing done by M. Justice, cost $2.05, Oct. 27, 1851 – a pair of corse boots, cost $3.50, Nov. 4, 1854 – a Bline Bridle, cost $1.75 and sawing done by M. Justice, cost $2.14, April 13, 1852 – hauling 2 loads of Plank, cost 75 cents and 33 lath, 9 feet long + 8-12 feet, 393 feet, cost $1.31, July 9, 1852 – QR shoe leather weight 5½, cost $1.63, Aug. 26, 1852 – Qr. of up, cost $1.62 and 9 lbs. of Beef at 3½, cost 31 cents – pair of boots, cost $3.50, $3.50, Dec. 29, 1852 – pair of bottoms for wife, cost 40 cents, Jan. 14, 1853 – Jacob Schultzes sawing bill (not divided), cost $1.50, March 28, 1853 – 1 lb. of nales, cost 7 cents, April 22, 1853 – 1½ bushels oats, cost 37 cents, April 29, 1853. The above is the amount of a judgment against Samuel Wilhelm on J. Gearhart’s Docket in favour of Jacob W. Younken, involving a mare, 1855 – sawing 810 feet Lath pr. Shultz in the year 1854, cost $1.30 – Ό bushel seed corn, cost 12 cents, May 16, 1853 – ½ bushel seed corn, cost 25 cents, May 30, 1853 – pair of shoes, cost $1.62, June 21, 1853 – SS weight 9 lbs., cost $2.79, barrel of cider, cost $1.75 and 6 bushels apples at 10 cents, cost 60 cents, Nov. 15, 1853 – 6 lights of glass, 25 cents, Dec. 3, 1853 – paying doctor bill, cost $1.25 and cash lent, cost $10.00, and a pair of shoes for Eliza [or Elija], cost $1.50, Feb. 11, 1854 – 4 bushels oats, cost $1.20 and a pair of shoes, cost $1.75, April 24, 1854 – 14Ύ lbs. Bacon at 8 cents, cost $1.18, May 25, 1854 – a letter, cost 5 cents, June 10, 1854 – a sythe, cost $1.00, July 5, 1854 – 2 bushels buckwheat, cost $1.50, July 25, 1854 – a QR of up pr. Wife, cost $1,00, Oct. 26, 1854 – 50 lbs. of Nails at 6Ό cents, cost $3.12, Nov. 1, 1854 – 118 lbs of Beef at 3½, cost $4.13, Nov. 20, 1854 – 3 bushels wheat, cost $3.37, sawing 810 feet Lath done by Jacob Schultz in the year 1854, cost $1.30 and tanning a wolly sheep skin, cost 50 cents, April 3, 1856 – hemstraps and leather, 10 cents, Nov. 15, 1865– a Qr of up weight 3Ό at 65 cents, cost $2.11, June 10, 1867 – a CS weight 3 lbs., cost $3.00, June 10, 1867 – a side up weight 7 lbs. at 60 cents, cost $4.20, a Qr. sole weight 5½ at 45, cost $2.47 and 3 store bills from Walter + Kreger, $19.53, Sept. 23, 1867.

When the U.S. Census count was made in 1860, the Younkins dwelled near Paddytown in Upper Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County. Jacob earned a living as a farmer, and Catherine made clothing and other homespun fabrics. Three of their immediate neighbors were kin -- the families of Frederick J. and Delilah (Faidley) Younkin, Rev. Harmon and Susanna (Faidley) Younkin and Garrison and Hannah (Younkin) Smith.

 

Somerset Herald, Oct. 22, 1879
Courtesy Library of Congress

In 1870, U.S. census records show that the Younkins lived on a farm near Cranberry Glade, Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County, and remained there for several years. Sons Cyrus and Levi assisted with the farm labor.

A map of Lower Turkeyfoot, published in the 1876 Atlas of Somerset County, shows the Younkin farm located in the mountainous area of "Harbaugh District No. 5," along Cranberry Glade Run, and a short distance from the one-room Harbaugh School and the Fayette County border. Among their neighbors were Civil War veteran David Harbaugh and Harriet (Firestone) Burkholder, daughter of George and Catherine (Younkin) Firestone of the family of Jacob "of John" and Eleanor (Chambers) Younkin.

Their farm consisted of 165 acres adjoining the properties of Silas Jenkins, James Wesley Burkholder, M. Vough & Company and Mr. Spencer. Ten of the acres were cleared and considered a meadow. Their dwelling was a story-and-a-half log house with a log barn.

Jake died on Oct. 9, 1879, with burial in the Delilah Younkin Cemetery. His obituary in the Somerset Herald (Oct. 22, 1879) reported the following: “Jacob W. Younkin who lived on his farm at what is known as the Cranbury Glade, fell dead in front of his residence on the 10th. Mr. Younkin was a brother of F.J. Younkin who died some two years ago. Mr. Younkin was in his 57th year.”

Jake's farm, as circled in green. Atlas of Somerset County, 1876

 

 

Catherine's grave, 1885
Courtesy Olive Duff

A sister in law, Delilah (Faidley) Younkin, recalled years later that "Jacob died very suddenly and was found dead, from what cause was never known."

Catherine survived her husband and lived as a widow for six years. The federal census enumeration for the year 1880 shows Catherine heading a household in Lower Turkeyfoot Township with nine children under her roof, ranging in age from 23 to 3. Seven of the children had attended school within the year. 

Perhaps knowing there would be no good outcome of the matter, she refused to be named administrator of her husband's estate, or to appoint someone else. The Orphans Court eventually named Thomas Ream to the task. An inventory of assets in the estate showed a cooking stove, tinware, crocks, table stand, clock, bedsteads,corn, buckwheat, spinning wheel tub, churn, frow and iron kettle, plus planted grain not yet harvested. Some of the debts were paid to Kreger & Gerhard, Arnold Kuhlman and William Hanna as agent for Jane Brooks. Yet there was insufficient cash to settle all IOUs, so the entire farm and its contents were sold on March 5, 1883, some four years after Jake's death.

She passed away on April 3, 1893, at the age of about 60, and rests beside her spouse. The epitaph at the base of her grave marker is believed to read: 

Oh mother, thy gentle voice is hushed. 
Thy warm true heart is still. 
And on thy pale and peaceful face 
Is resting death's cold chill."

At last count, made in December 2020, the couple's dozen children had produced 83 known grandchildren and 230 known great-grandchildren (and counting).

 

~ Son Cyrus Younkin ~

Son Cyrus Younkin (1849-1891) was born on Sept. 8, 1849 in Turkeyfoot Township.

In about 1868 or 1869, when he was age 18, Cyrus married his first wife, Julia Ann Ferrel (1850-1885), daughter of James J. and Barbara (Romesberg) Ferrel (or "Ferrell" or "Farrel").

They produced seven children over the span of their relatively short married lives together -- Richard Francis Younkin, Charles H. Younkin, George A. Younkin, Cyrus Milton Younkin, Cora Ellen Younkin, Thomas Eransum Younkin and Rella "Mae" Messersmith.

The family dwelled in Grantsville, Garrett County, MD.

Sadly, Julia Ann died in Grantsville at the age of 35 on Christmas Day 1885. Her remains were laid to rest in Grantsville Cemetery and later recoreded in the book Maryland's Garrett County Graves.

After a period of grieving, Cyrus was united in wedlock for a second time to his deceased wife's sister, Barbara Ellen "Ella" Ferrel (1959-1925). They had several more children of their own: James R. Younkin, Harry "Eugene" Younkin, William Nevin Younkin and John Allen Younkin.

Cyrus also was destined for an early grave. He succumbed in Grantsville at age 41 on March 19, 1891. His untimely death left Barbara with four young mouths to raise.

She survived for another 34 years. The 1910 federal census of Grantsville shows her heading a household including two of her sons, stepdaughter Cora and young Victor Younkin, mis-labeled a "nephew" but instead a step-grandson born out of wedlock.

During World War I, Barbara worried as youngest son John joined the U.S. Armed Forces and was sent overseas. Her fears came to life when she received word that John had died and was buried in a European cemetery. In August 1921, when John's remains were returned to the United States, Barbara traveled to Washington, DC for the burial.

Death swept Barbara away in Grantsville in 1925 at the age of 66. 

Son Richard Francis Younkin (1869-1941) was born on March 4, 1869 in Grantsville, MD. On Sept. 14, 1892, when he was age 23, Richard was wedded to Barbara Yommer (1869-1966), daughter of German immigrants John and Dorothy (Hanft) Yommer. They produced five known children -- Frank Lesley Younkin, Walter Younkin (who died in infancy in 1904), Dorothy Laverne Glotfelty, Mabel Irene Miller and George "Emmons" Younkin. Richard was a longtime blacksmith, operating his own shop. They also were members of the Lutheran Church in Grantsville. The family worried when son Frank served in World War I with the 157th Department Brigade, Company B, and apparently came home a very sick or injured man. Richard retired in about 1929. In August 1933, the family is known to have attended a picnic and family reunion in honor of the 81st birthday of Barbara's relative Margaret Hanft, held at the home of the celebrant's son William at Keyers Ridge near Grantsville. Deep sadness blanketed the family in the winter of 1935 when son Frank, age 40, died at the U.S. Veterans' Hospital in Perry Point, MD, having been a patient there for 15 years and never having recovered from his wartime debilities. In June 1937, they hosted a visit from their nephew Victor Younkin of Philadelphia, Mr. and Mrs. John Cochran of Mather, PA and son Emmons Younkin of Pittsburgh. They also entertained Richard's ill-fated brother James and family, visiting from Akron, OH, in May 1939. Richard, his brothers Thomas and George and their families traveled to Kingwood, Somerset County in August 1935 to take part in the Younkin National Home-coming Reunion. In August 1938, Richard, Barbara with daughter Dorothy Glotfelty and son Emmons, along with Richard's brother George, again attended the Younkin gathering. Richard suffered a heart attack at the age of 72 and died several days later on Nov. 19, 1941. His obituary in the Cumberland (MD) Evening Times said "He had operated a blacksmith shop [in Grantsville] since a young man, untill ill health forced him to retire." The Meyersdale Republican provided details of the funeral -- "The service was conducted by the pastor, Rev. Samuel D. Sigler, and music was furnished by the church choir. Pallbearers were Harvey Gortner, Milton Rodamer, George W. Diefenbach, Adam A. Hanft, Daniel Klotz and William Schaefer. Interment was in the Grantsville Cemetery. The many and beautiful floral tributes were silent evidence of the esteem in which Mr. Younkin was held. Among those relatives and friends who came from a distance to attend the services were Mr. and Mrs. Emmons Younkin, Pittsburgh, Mrs. Emma Younkin and family, Akron, O., Mr. and Mrs. Charles Messersmith and James Evans, Lester, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. John Cochran, Mather, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. Robert Himler, Trafford, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. Blaine Stickler, Wilmerding, Pa., Mrs. George Smouse, Scottdale, Pa., and Mr. and Mrs. List Daniels, Spring Gap, Md." Barbara lived as a widow for another quarter century. At the age of 97, she succumbed on Nov. 28, 1966.

 

Meyersdale Republican

Son Charles H. Younkin (1872-1923) was born in about 1872 in Grantsville. In about 1895, when he was age 23, Charles was united in holy matrimony with Lillian B. "Lillie" Ryland (1867-1943), daughter of Sylvester H. and Ella (Slicer) Ryland of Shelbysport, MD. Lillian moved to Grantsville with her parents when she was age 25. The couple did not reproduce. In 1910, census records show the couple living in Grantsville, with Charles operating his own blacksmith shop. At the time, they had been married for 15 years. They lived next door to Charles' brother James and his wife Ella and family. Lillian was "a lifelong active and faithful member" of the Grantsville Methodist Church," reported the Meyersdale Republican, "and members of the W.S.C.S. will miss their cherished member, 'Lilly' in their meetings." Charles passed away in Grantsville at the age of 51 in 1923.  Ella survived him by two decades and remained in Grantsville. After falling at home and fracturing her right hip at the age of 75, and bureened with hypertension as well as heart and kidney failure, she was admitted to the Hazel McGilvery Hospital across the state line in Meyersdale, PA. There, she died on March 5, 1943 at the age of 75. Dr. W.H. Ryland signed the death certificate. Burial was in Grantsville following funeral services in the Younkin home, officiated by Rev. S.D. Sigler. Pallbearers included Ralph Glotfelty, Carl Miller, Dewey Yommer, Walter Younkin, Harry Younkin and Clayton Younkin.

Son George A. Younkin (1874-1944) was born on July 1, 1874 in Grantsville and spent most of his life in the community. George married Susan Beckett (1870-1929?), who was four years his senior. They made their home in Grantsville and produced five children -- Floyd Younkin, Hazel Livingstone, Nina Patterson, Willis George Younkin and Eleanor Lee Richter. Sadly, Susan succumbed at the age of 59 in July1929 or 1930. George lived for another 15 years in Grantsville. In August 1938, George and his brother Richard and family attended the Younkin National Home-coming Reunion in Kingwood, Somerset County, PA. An article about the reunion, in the Cumberland Evening Times, said that more than 1,000 people attended and were entertained by "Kansas song by Clarence L. Younkin, of Florida, and Mamie Y. Prather: Lincoln sisters tap dancing acts; ventriloquists; D.E. Smith with his crayon act, hillbilly music and sacred hymns." During World War II, son Willis served in the U.S. Army in England and grandson Donoran Patterson in the South Pacific. George passed into eternity in Memorial Hospital in Cumberland, MD on Nov. 11, 1944. His obituary in the Cumberland (MD) News noted that he was survived by seven grandchildren. The Meyersdale Republican reported that the funeral was led by Rev. R.G. Henson of the Grantsville Methodist Church -- that the pallbearers included Harvey Gortner, C. O. Bender, Milton Rodamer, N. U. Broadwater, L. B. Schaefer and Winfred Snyder -- and that interment was in the Younkinfamily plot in Grantsville Cemetery.

  • Grandson Floyd Younkin
  • Granddaughter Hazel Livingstone
  • Granddaughter Nina Patterson
  • Grandson Willus George Younkin
  • Granddaughter Eleanor Lee Richter

Son Cyrus "Milton" Younkin (1877- ? ) was born in 1877 in Grantsville. He was wedded to Emma McKenzie (1884-1961), daughter of John and Sarah (Christner) McKenzie. They apparently resided in Grantsville and produced three children -- Bernard C. Younkin, Rosella Long and Sister Eileen Younkin. They were members of St. Stephen's Catholic Church. Tragedy rocked this family in the dead of winter 1933. Their 26-year-old son Bernard, a member of the local fire department and Woodmen of the World, was killed when a falling pole fractured his skull. The Cumberland Evening Times reported that "Younkin with several others was helping in the erection of poles for a private electric light line from the National Highway to the lodge of Marshall Pressman, Frostburg, along the Castleman river. A 35-foot pole being raised with pike poles slipped and began to fall. Younkin stumbled and fell as he stepped to the side and the toppling pole struck him back of the head." He was rushed to the local hospital but did not survive. Milton died sometime in the late 1950s. Burdened with diabetes, hardening of the arteries and "acute brain syndrome," Emma succumbed in Meyersdale Community Hospital at the age of 77 on Dec. 7, 1961. Following a requiem mass held in St. Stephen's Church and sung by Rev. Conrad Raffel, interment was in Grantsville Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Cumberland News.

  • Grandson Bernard C. Younkin
  • Granddaughter Rosella Long
  • Granddaughter Eileen Younkin was a "sister" of the St. Monica's Convent in Milwaukee and St. Therese's Hospital of Waukegan, IL.

Daughter Cora Ellen Younkin (1878-1949) was born on Jan. 10, 1878 in Grantsville. She apparently never married and spent the first 63 years of her life in Grantsville, where she belonged to the Grantsville Lutheran Church. The census of 1910 shows the 30-year-old living under the roof of her stepmother and half brothers in Grantsville. Cora and her siblings Richard and George are known to have attended the second annual Yommer Reunion at the Pearson Maust farm on July 31, 1938 and were named in a related story in the Cumberland Evening Times. In about 1940, she moved into the home of her sister Mae Messersmith in Lester, Delaware County, PA. Then in the fall of 1948, she returned to Grantsville and lived under the roof of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Livengood. She died in the Livengood home at the age of 69 on May 14, 1949. An obituary in the Meyersdale Republican noted that Rev. George Bowersox officiated at the funeral service, where Mrs. Harry Bender, Mrs. Harold Miller and Mrs. Harry Younkin sang favorite hymns. Pallbearers included Daniel Klotz, Olen Yoder, Herbert Layman and George Diefenbach. Interment was in Grantsville Cemetery.

 

Bittinger family book
naming Thomas and Lila

Son Thomas Eransum Younkin (1883-1964) was born on Aug. 23, 1883 in Grantsville, MD. He married Grantsville resident Delila "Lila" Bittinger (1882-1949), daughter of Chancey and Christina (Bowman) Bittinger. Of Lila's father, it is written that in about 1887, he:

...and his family then moved to a fifty-acre wilderness farm on the side of Negro Mountain, near Engles Mills. They occupied a house made of round logs, built by the previous owner, Joseph Glass (Chauncey later built a frame house.) Water was supplied by a spring that flowed from a nearby limestone cliff; some people have described this as 'the most wonderful water you ever tasted.' Chauncey farmed, quarried limestone, and sold eggs and bugger at Accident. In the winter, he wore 'felts and gums' -- gum boots over high top felt boots. He had sky blue eyes, even when he was very aged; as a young man he grew a moustache, and later added a goatee.

Thomas and Delila went on to produce six children -- Gladys Christina Younkin, Harry Osborne Younkin, Walter Glenn Younkin, Ruth Alverta Miller, Mary Elizabeth Younkin and Clarence Cecil Younkin.

  • Granddaughter Gladys Christina Younkin
  • Grandson Harry Osborne Younkin
  • Grandson Walter Glenn Younkin
  • Granddaughter Ruth Alverta Miller
  • Granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Younkin
  • Grandson Clarence Cecil Younkin

The family were members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and were active in activities of the congregation. During a deep freeze in the winter of 1940, the Younkins were without running water for several days after water lines, crossing under the highway, became frozen until thawing equipment could arrive from Meyersdale. Deep sorrow surrounded the family in January 1942 when unmarried daughter Gladys, age 33, died at their home from a heart attack. Sadly, Lila became deathly ill in late 1948 and could not recover. The Cumberland News reported on Jan. 7, 1949 that her health "remained in critical condition" and that her daughter Ruth Miller had traveled from her home in Donora, PA to provide care. Lila passed away in Grantsville on Feb. 8, 1949 at the age of 66. Daughter Lila remained with the newly widowed Thomas for several months until their affairs could be put in order, and then returned home to Donora. Thomas outlived his wife by 15 years. He spent his final time in Cuppett Nursing Home in or near Cumberland. Death took him away on July 28, 1964, at age 80. This family is chronicled on page 180 of Wayne Bittinger's book Generations: A History of the Biddinger, Bidinger, Bittinger, & Bittner Families of Garrett County, Maryland, preserved today in the Minerd.com Archives.

  • Grandson Walter Glenn Younkin married Alice Bowser (1913-1994). They lived on Springs Road in Grantsville, MD. When Alice died three days after Christmas 1994, her obituary was published in the Younkin Family News Bulletin (Vol. 6, #1, Jan.-March 1995).
  • Grandson Harry O. Younkin (1910-1990) was born on Oct. 7, 1910 in Grantsville. He married Evelyn Teats and had two children -- Rev. H. Allen Younkin and Eleanor Beardsley. Harry was employed in Grantsville by the Casselman Motor Company. He later relocated to Delaware, where he resided in Newark and died at the age of 79 on Feb. 10, 1990. Burial was in Grantsville Cemetery with Harry's son performing the funeral service.
  • Grandson Clarence Cecil Younkin (1921-1980) was born in about 1921 in Grantsville. He was wedded to Irene E. (?) and had four children -- Kenneth C. Younkin, Richard Younkin, Carl Younkin and Kathleen Margroff. They were members of the Christ Lutheran Church of Grantsville. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. Upon returning home, he earned a living as a linesman for Potomac Edison Company and belonged to the American Legion Post 214 in Grantsville. he passed away in Meyersdale Community Hospital at the age of 59 on June 12, 1980. Rev. Jerry W. Randall officiated at the funeral followed by interment in Grantsville Cemetery. An obituary was printed in the Meyersdale Republic.
  • Granddaughter Ruth Younkin married (?) Miller and made her home in Bristol, CT.

 

The Younkins' entry in the Bittinger Generations book

 

Daughter Rella "Mae" Younkin (1882-1952) was born on Oct. 25, 1882. At the age of 18, she gave birth to a son whom she named Victor Younkin. The child was raised by Mae's stepmother. At the age of 28, in 1910, she boarded in the home of George and Katherine Blake in Meyersdale and worked as a waitress in a local restaurant. She was united in marriage with Charles H. Messersmith (1883-1949), son of Joshua and Lucretia (Hill) Messersmith of Towanda, Bradford County, PA. They did not reproduce. Charles was a mechanic employed by Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company. He apparently was transferred to a Westinghouse plant in Delaware County, PA, and so they relocated to the town of Lester, with an address of 345 Seneca Avenue. In about 1940, Mae's unmarried sister Cora Ellen moved into their home and remained for eight years, until 1948. Charles endured hypertensive heart disease and, when he contracted bronchial pneumonia just a few weeks before his 66th birthday, he died on April 13, 1949. Burial was in Hiram Memorial Park in Concordville, Delaware County. Mae survived her spouse by three years. On Feb. 1, 1951, she was admitted to Fair Acres Farm Hospital in Middletown, Delaware County. At theage of 69, suffering from heart valve failure and anemia, she died in the hospital. Her son Victor Younkin of Folcroft, PA provided vital information for her death certificate. She was laid to rest with her husband in Hiram Memorial Gardens. An obituary appeared in the Cumberland Evening Times newspaper mis-naming her son as "Victor Messersmith."

Son James R. Younkin (1886-1932) was born on Oct. 26, 1886 in Grantsville. At the age of 20, in about 1906, he was wedded to 20-year-old Emma L. Cochrane (1886-1981), daughter of William C. and Ida C. (Fogle) Cochrane of Salisbury, Somerset County. Emma's father was an immigrant from Scotland. The couple produced eight children -- William C. Younkin, Harold Younkin, Ralph Younkin, Margaret Evelyn Younkin, Robert Younkin, Earl Clarence Younkin, Laverne Charlotte Younkin and John Younkin. They were members of the Grantsville Methodist Church, and James belonged to the Grantsville Camp of the Woodmen of the World. Circa 1920, James earned a living as a truck driver for a sawmill in Grantsville. By 1928, they had relocated to Ohio, where James worked as a machinist in the blacksmith shop of a rubber factory in Akron, Summit County. Sons William and Ralph also held jobs in the rubber factory in 1930. Tragically, Jamed suffered from a life-threatening illness of pulmonary tuberculosis and quit working in 1930. Hoping for a cure, he traveled to Texas for admittance in the Woodmen of the World Hospital in San Antonio, Bexar County. After a year of treatment, he died in the Woodmen hospital at the age of 45 on Jan. 2, 1932. The cause of his untimely death is not yet known. His remains were shipped back to Grantsville for interment, and an obituary was printed in the Meyersdale Republican. At the time of death, Emma and all eight of their children resided in Akron. Emma outlived her spouse by nearly a half century. She worked in the dietary department of Akron City Hospital and volunteered her time with Goodwill Industries. She also was a member of the christ United Methodist Church of Akron. She eventually returned to Grantsville and was admitted to the Goodwill Mennonite Home where she succumbed at age 95 on Aug. 30, 1981. An obituary numbered her offspring at 22 grandchildren and an unknown number of great- and great-great grandchildren.

 

Historic stone bridge, built circa 1813, carrying the National Highway over the Casselman River at Grantsville, MD, the nation's largest span bridge at the time

 

Son Harry "Eugene" Younkin (1889-1928) was born in 1889 in Grantsville. He was a blacksmith and, in 1910, helped his brother Charles operate a blacksmith shop in Grantsville. Eugene was married to Virginia Augusta "Virgie" Bowser (1893-1959), daughter of Robert and Katherine (Cuschlag) Bowser of New Germany, MD. They produced six offspring -- Clayton Younkin, Margaret Church, Virginia Broadwater, Beulah Yommer, Russell Willard Younkin and Marvin Younkin. Virgie was a lifelong member of the Grantsville Methodist Church. Sadly, Eugene died at the age of 39 in Grantsville in 1928. The reason behind his early demise is not yet known. Burial was in Grantsville Cemetery. Virginia lived for more than three decades, remaining in Grantsville. Death claimed her at age 62 on March 25, 1959. The Cumberland Evening Times noted that Rev. Emory McGraw officiated at the funeral held in the family church, and that in addition to her children, she was survived by 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and half sisters Annie Durst and Sophie Durst of Salisbury, PA.

 

Arlington National Cemetery,
with a misspelling

Son William Nevin Younkin (1890-1907) was born in 1890 in Grantsville. Heartache enveloped the family in March 1907 when William died at the age of 16.  The Baltimore (MD) Sun reported that he was "dead from the effects of a kick by a horse. His skull was fractured. One of his arms was also broken." Interment was in Grantsville Cemetery.

 

Meyersdale Republican, Aug. 18, 1921

Son John Allen Younkin (1888-1918) was born on Aug. 14, in Grantsville, MD. He was of medium height and build, with light blue eyes and light brown hair. He enjoyed the out of doors and worked as a woodsman and wood chipper. Circa 1917, he was employed as a worker on the state road by the Maryland State Road Commission. During World War I, John joined the U.S. Armed Forces and was shipped overseas. Tragically, on Sept. 29, 1918, while in battle at the Meuse-Argonne, he lost his life. Reported a local newspaper: "Mr. Younkin was a private in the machine gun battalion at Camp Meade and had been in camp but a few weeks before he was sent overseas, and in all probability met his death in his first battle for liberty. He was 29 years old, and the sole remaining support of a widowed mother, to whom his death comes as a heavy blow. She had not heard from her son for nearly ten weeks, yet always hoped that each mail from France would bring her news that he was safe and well." Burial initially was in Europe. Later, in August 1921, his remains were transferred to the United States for final interment in Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 18, Grave 2788. His aged mother traveled to Washington, DC attend the burial, as reported in the Meyersdale Republican newspaper. The interment, held "with that of many others" was in Arlington National Cemetery, reported the Republican. "James Farrel, (or Firl, as the family is sometimes called), a Civil War veteran and maternal grandfather of the young Mr. Younkin, is also buried there, the boy and his grandfather both having given their lives for their country." In an unfortunate typographical error, the family name inscribed on John's standard issue military marker is "YOUKIN." In succeeding years, the American Legion post at Grantsville was named the "John-Clay Post" as a memorial to John and Clay Stanton, both of whom had given their lives in wartime.

 

~ Son Levi Younkin ~

 

Jersey Baptist Church Cemetery

 

Son Levi H. Younkin (1852-1907) was born in March 20, 1852 (or 1853) in Upper Turkeyfoot Township.

At the age of 22, in about 1876, Levi was wedded to Sara Catherine Moon (1856-1914), daughter of Jacob H. and Caroline (Ritenour) Moon. They lived in Humbert, a coal and lumber company town in Lower Turkeyfoot.

 

Turkeyfoot News, Feb. 28, 1907

The Younkins produced nine offspring -- Milton R. Younkin, Mary Catherine Clark Wade Hill, Josephine Younkin, Elmer E. Younkin, Jacob Harrison "Harry" Younkin, Sarah Anna Younkin, Aldo Clyde Younkin, Dewey Levi Younkin and Elisha Younkin.

They lived on a farm two and a half miles north of Draketown, Somerset County.

On the fateful day of Feb. 26, 1907, Levi "was in his usual health and spirits, and gave no sign that he was disturbed in mind or body," said the Turkeyfoot News in a top headline story. After his noonday meal, he told his family he had some chores to attend to in the barn. After entering the barn, he fastened a makeshift noose around his neck and plunged to his death.

Said the News, "when he did not come in for supper his son Harry went to the  barn to call him, and on entering, he found his father hanging by the neck with his knees touching the floor.... Matthew Christie, a neighbor came to Draketown in hot haste for Squire Tannehill who gave orders that the body should be cut down, and prepared for burial. [His] untimely end came as a severe shock to his family and friends." In a strange twist of fate, Harrison Moon of Draketown, who signed Levi's death certificate, reported that Levi was single at the time of death. 

 

Obituary, 1914

Sara Catherine lived in widowhood for another seven years. Suffering from a fluid buildup known as dropsy, added to existing heart and kidney disease, she passed away on Nov. 7, 1914 at the age of 58.  Funeral services were held at the Jersey Baptist Church near Ursina, officiated by Rev. L.W. La Page, followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery containing generations of ancient Younkin burials.

An obituary was published in the Meyersdale Commercial, which reported that she was a lifelong resident of Lower Turkeyfoot and that "she was respected by a large circle of friends for her sterling qualities." The Commercial also said that she was survived by a brother Harrison Moon and sisters Mrs. John Lint, Mrs. Abraham Lint and Mrs. Morgan Colbert, all of Dawson, Fayette County. Son Harrison signed her official Pennsylvania death certificate. 

Son Milton Ross Younkin (1876-1934) was born July 9, 1876 in Ursina, Lower Turkeyfoot. As a young man he migrated to Connellsville, Fayette County where obtained work as a laborer. On Jan. 25, 1899, when he was age 22, he was united in matrimony with 25-year-old Mary Florence Curtis (1874- ? ), daughter of James and Jennie Curtis of Greene County, PA. Rev. T.J. Edwards officiated at the ceremony held in Connellsville. The groom was about three years younger than his bride. Their two known sons were Ralph Marion Younkin and Blair Franklin Younkin. They made their home in a rented dwelling in Connellsville in 1910-1920, with an address of Pittsburgh Street. Mary's widowed mother, Jennie Waychoff, resided with the family in 1910 when the federal census enumeration was made. In 1920, Milton was employed as a laborer at the local power-house -- known as West Penn Power -- and by 1934 had been promoted to machinist. In the early 1930s, their address in Connellsville was 1st Street and Youghiogheny Avenue. Sadly, stricken with chronic heart valve problems, Milton died at home at the age of 58 on May 16, 1934. His remains were lowered into repose in Hill Grove Cemetery. The Aug. 10, 1939 edition of the Younkin Family News Bulletin printed a 40-year-old newspaper notice of their marriage license granted in Uniontown. Mary Florence survived her spouse and in 1944 relocated with her married son Blair to Bristol, Bucks County, PA. As she prepared to leave, the Martha Norton Bible Class and Philathea Class of the First Christian Church gave her a farewell party, held in the home of Mrs. W.H. Berger..

 

Ralph's name, South Connellsville war memorial. Courtesy Leslie (Fuoss) Younkin

 

  • Grandson Ralph Marion Younkin (1899-1962) was born on Nov. 8, 1899 in South Connellsville, Fayette County. On Aug. 18, 1921, when he was 21 years of age, he married Wilhelmina Rottler ( ? - ? ), daughter of Adolph and Wilhelmina Rottler of Fayette County. Their nuptials were held in the parsonage of the Immaculate Conception Church in Connellsville, presided by Rev. J.T. Burns. In an article about the "quiet wedding," the Connellsville Daily Courier said that Wilhelmina "wore a charming gown of white georgette, trimmed with filet lace, with hat to match, and carried white snapdragon." The couple bore one daughter, Bernardine Ayars. Ralph was tall and slender, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was employed at the age of 18 as a clerk with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad office in Connellsville. It is there that he likely met his future wife, who also was a clerk in the office, and was considered by a newspaper as "one of the best known women of Connellsville [who] is very popular among her many friends." A month shy of his 19th birthday, on Oct. 8, 1918, he joined a students' Army training camp toward the end of World War I. He trained for two months and seven days and left the organization on Dc. 15, 1918. After the war's end, he enrolled in Washington and Jefferson College. As with many Younkins in the extended family in South Connellsville, Ralph earned a living with the local plant of Anchor Hocking Corporation, then known as Capstan Glass. When he applied for veterans' benefits in 1934, Ralph and the family dwelled at 319 North Pittsburgh Street in Connellsville. In recognition for his wartime service, Ralph's name was inscribed on South Connellsville's war memorial. By 1938, he was transferred to the company's facility in Salem, NJ where he was manager of the scheduling department. Their address in Salem was 340 Morrison Avenue. He held a membership in the Morrison Post of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. The family enjoyed vacationing in the Pocono Mountains. Sadly, at the age of 63, Ralph died two days after Christmas 1962. A funeral mass was sung at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with burial following in the church's cemetery. An obituary was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Wilmington (DE) News-Journal.

Great-granddaughter Bernardine Younkin (1922- ? ) was born in about 1922 in South Connellsville. She relocated to New Jersey with her parents. She was joined in wedlock with David M. Ayars ( ? - ? ). During World War II, David served with the U.S. Navy. The family dwelled in Salem in 1962 and had three children.

  • Grandson Blair Franklin Younkin (1901-1949) was born on Sept. 26, 1901 in South Connellsville, Fayette County. He wedded Margaret Sheering ( ? - ? ). Their known children were Althea Taylor and Blair M. Younkin. Blair earned a living as a machinist with the container division of Capstan Glass Company, also known as Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation. In 1940-1941, he held the post of president of South Connellsville Council, and worked with Connellsville Mayor Ira "David" Younkin and other elected officials to finalize a hard-surfaced road leading to the glass plant. Circa 1944, the Younkins relocated to Bristol, Bucks County, PA and lived at the address of 419 Buckley Street. Blair at age 47 suffered from problems in his bronchial passage and, after contracting pneumonia, went into respiratory failure. He was admitted to Philadelphia's Jefferson Hospital and died there after only one day on May 15, 1949. The remains were transported back to Fayette County for burial in Hill Grove Cemetery. Margaret married a second time to (?) DeFelice ( ? - ? ). Her home in 1981 was in Williamstown, NJ.

Great-grandson Blair M. Younkin (1921-1981) was born in 1921 in Connellsville. Blair joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in November 1939 and trained in meteorology in Virginia, Illinois and Washington. He was deployed to England in July 1942 and then was transferred to Ireland aftr three months. He progressed to hold the rank of a master sergeant in the Meteorology Division. While stationed in Ireland, he met Mae Patricia Weir of Belfast at a dance, and they dated for a year. Then, on Feb. 16, 1944, they were joined in marriage. The Army Air Force announced to the Connellsville Daily Courier that theirs' was "the most colorful nuptial ceremony of the Northern Ireland winter season... The bride, who was given away by her father [William J. Weir], was in a gown of white figured broche, with flowering train. The tuile veil was surmounted by a coronet of orange blossoms. She carried a bouquet of white carnations." The nuptials were led by Rev. J. M'Kain and Major R. McCloud at the Rugby Avenue Congregationist Church. Blair was making plans at the time to study meteorology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The couple produced three sons -- Sgt. Blair William Younkin, Benjamin R. Younkin and Bryan M. Younkin. Blair remained with the Air Force until retirement in 1966. The Younkins relocated to New Mexico in 1965 and made a residence in Albuquerque. They belonged to the Los Altos Christian Church. Evidence suggests that Blair was burdened with lung problems. He succumbed to death at the age of 60 on Jan. 9, 1981. An obituary was published in the Albuquerque Journal.

Great-granddaughter Althea Younkin ( ? - ? ) resided in Bristol, PA in 1947 and was a student nurse. Circa 1947, she was joined in matrimony with Richard G. Taylor, son of Thomas R. Taylor of Riverton, NJ. The couple put down roots in Williamstown, NJ.

 

Obituary, 1946

Daughter Mary Catherine Younkin (1879-1946) was born on Aug. 30, 1879 in or near Confluence. She appears to have been married thrice. Her first husband is believed to have been William B. Clark (1880- ? ), son of John Clark of Fayette County. The wedding took place on Jan. 14, 1899, when Mary Catherine was age 20. Her second spouse was (?) Hill. They had one son of their own, Benjamin "Ben" Hill. Circa 1914, when named in her mother's newspaper obituary, she resided in Perryopolis, Fayette County. Mary Catherine was wedded for a third time to Thomas Oulton Wade (1863-1928), a 1904 immigrant from England and the son of William and Elizabeth (Houlden) Wade. They produced three more children -- Mrs. William Thomas, Lela Frances Rose and Harry Robert Wade. The Wades relocated from Perryopolis to Johnstown, Cambria County, PA in about  1921, and spent the remainder of their lives there. Thomas was employed as a salesman for E.S. Wagner & Company of Wilkes-Barre, PA. Their address in the late 1920s was 118 Peter Street, Johnstown. Sadly, Thomas contracted lobar pneumonia of his left lung and was treated in Memorial Hospital. He succumbed just four days after his 64th birthday on March 15, 1927. His remains were placed into repose in the Sandy Vale Cemetery. Mary Catherine lived for another 18 years. She spent her final years residing with her son Harry at 428 Robb Avenue in Johnstown. Suffering from disease of her arteries, Mary suffered a heart attack and died instantly at home on Aug. 20, 1946, at the age of 67. Interment was in Benshoff Hill Cemetery in Johnstown. [Find-a-Grave] An obituary said that death occurred "after an extended illness." Daughter Lela Wade of Market Street signed the death certificate. Their granddaughter Luann Price has contacted the founder of this website circa 2012.

  • Grandson Benjamin "Ben" Hill ( ? - ? )
  • Granddaughter (?) Wade married William Thomas
  • Granddaughter Lela Frances Wade (1918-1979) was born on Nov. 18, 1918. She wedded Stanley E. Rose (Nov. 25, 1913-1985). Sadly, at the age of 60, Lela Frances died on June 13, 1979 in Johnstown, Cambria County, PA. Interment of the remains was in Benshoff Hill Cemetery in nearby Middle Taylor Township. Stanley outlived her by six years. He passed away on Sept. 25, 1985.
  • Grandson Harry Robert Wade (1921-1964) was born on June 11, 1921 in Perryopolis, Fayette County. He was united in matrimony with Laura Schrengost ( ? - ? ). Harry served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and held the rank of sergeant. He later found employment as a steel inspector. The couple's address in the 1960s was 421 Benton Street in Johnstown, Cambria County, PA. Robert was felled by an acute heart attack and died at the untimely age of 42 on Feb. 18, 1964. Interment of the remains was in Benshoff Hill Cemetery in Johnstown.

Daughter Josephine Younkin (1881-1944) was born on July 15, 1881 near Ursina. On Nov. 4, 1903, at the age of 22, Josephine was united in marriage with Joseph Johnson ( ? -1936). They had seven offspring -- Clyde Johnson, Carl Johnson, Lucy Johnson, Mary Johnson, Grace Johnson, Ralph Johnson and Charles Johnson. By 1919, she resided under her mother's roof near Draketown. Sadly, Joseph died in 1936. Josephine survived him by eight years. Seven weeks before her death, and suffering from stomach cancer, she moved into 364 Market Street in Rockwood. She succumbed at age 63 on Aug. 13, 1944 with burial in Mt. Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Kingwood. Mrs. Mary Lamp, who signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death, erroneously stated the name of Josephine's father as "Eli" instead of "Levi."

  • Grandson Clyde Johnson
  • Grandson Carl Johnson
  • Granddaughter Lucy Johnson
  • Granddaughter Mary Johnson
  • Granddaughter Grace Johnson
  • Grandson Ralph Johnson
  • Grandson Charles Johnson

 

Aerial view of Rockwood, 1906

 

Son Elmer Ellsworth Younkin (1883-1958) was born on May 30, 1883 in Confluence. He was employed as a cook when in his early 20s. At the age of 24, on Sept. 4, 1907, Elmer was wedded to 19-year-old Agnes May Edmiston (1888-1953), daughter of John V. and Catherine (Fike) Edmiston of Boynton, PA. Because Agnes was underage, her father and mother both signed their consents in writing before justice of the peace Levi Lichliter, who then went on to perform the wedding ceremony in Salisbury, Somerset County. Their five children were Dorthea Younkin (who died in infancy in 1908), Carl Reed Younkin, Lois Younkin, Audrey Younkin and Edward Younkin.Elmer was a longtime boilermaker in Connellsville, Fayette County, and their address was 131 East Church Place. The final edition of the Younkin Family News Bulletin, dated June 30, 1941, contained a reprint of the obituary of Agnes' mother. Sadly, suffering from diabetes, Agnes died of a heart attack at age 65 on Jan. 29, 1953. Elmer survived by another five years. In 1956, he relocated to a residence on Pittsburgh Street Extension in Connellsville, Fayette County. He was felled by a cerebral hemorrhage and expired at age 75 on Aug. 20, 1958. His remains were placed into repose in Green Ridge Memorial Park north of Connellsville.

  • Grandson Carl Reed Younkin
  • Granddaughter Lois Younkin
  • Granddaughter Audrey Younkin
  • Grandson Edward Younkin

 

Harrison and Sarah's grave, Jersey Church

Son Jacob Harrison "Harry" Younkin (1885-1959) was born on July 18, 1885 in Lower Turkeyfoot. At the age of 29, in 1914, he was single and made his home with his widowed mother in Draketown. On March 15, 1915, when Harry was age 29, he was joined in wedlock with Sarah Catherine Ohler (1897-1965). She was the daughter of William H. and Cinda Ohler of nearby Fort Hill. They went on to produce five children -- Elvie Clevenger, James Sylvester Younkin, Josephine Nicholson, Lester M. Younkin and Ida Metheney. The family made their home in Lower Turkeyfoot and were lifelong farners. Harry suffered from chronic kidney disease and in about 1956 contracted stomach cancer. It spread to his lungs, and he died died in Lower Turkeyfoot at the age of 73 on June 23, 1959. His remains were interred in the Jersey Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. George Thompson and Rev. Thomas Clark leading the funeral service. A newspaper obituary noted that he was survived by 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Sarah Catherine lived for six years as a widow. She passed away at age 67 on July 8, 1965.

  • Grandson James Sylvester Younkin (1919-2007) was born on March 19, 1919 in Confluence. He married Anna Belle Mitchell ( ? -1982), daughter of Russell and Sally (Linderman) Mitchell. They were the parents of James Richard Younkin, Olive Mae Clark, Etta Kay Walker and Patricia "Gail" Schwalm. The Younkins were farmers made a home in Confluence in the 1930s and later in Bruceton Mills, Preston County, WV. James enjoyed hunting and gardening. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps. Anna Belle died in Bruceton Mills at the age of 64 on July 12, 1982. James outlived her by a quarter of a century. Toward the end, he went to live with his married daughter Patricia Schwalm in Dauphin County, PA. His remain were returned to Somerset County to rest in the Middlecreek Church of the Brethren Cemetery, with Rev. Chad A. Harvey preaching the funeral service. Their daughter Olive passed away on May 11, 2019.
  • Granddaughter Josephine Younkin married (?) Nicholson.
  • Grandson Lester M. Younkin (1922-1971) was born in 1922. He married Iretha Cameron (April 23, 1926 -2000), a native of Markleton and the daughter of Charles Henry and Minnie (Snyder) Cameron. (An a twist, Iretha's brother Melvin Charles Cameron wedded Lester's distant cousin Hazel Rose of the family of Jackson Grant and Rebecca (Cunningham) Rose of Ursina. They established a home in Upper Turkeyfoot and bore a family of five -- Charles H. Younkin, James Glen Younkin, Betty McClintock, Frances Kuna and Rex A. Younkin. Lester died in 1971. Iretha endured for another 29 years and circa 1997 was in Markleysburg, Fayette County. She passed into the realm of eternity in 2000.

Great-grandson Charles H. Younkin wedded Doris ( ? - ? ). They made a home in Fort Hill, Somerset County.

Great-grandson James Glen Younkin (1947-1997) was born on Sept. 13, 1947 in Markleton. He was married and the father of three -- James S. Younkin, Cynthia Ann Younkin and Tracey Rena Younkin. During the Vietnam War, he served in the U.S. Army. James' home in the 1990s was along Shady Hollow Road in Somerset, and he attended the Church of the Brethren in Berlin. He earned a living through his work at Somerset County Mental Health/Mental Retardation. Sadly, at the age of 50, he died at home on Oct. 14, 1997. An obituary was printed in the Somerset Daily American. Rev. Bryan Karchner led the funeral service, with burial in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Kingwood. At the time of his death, his three children lived in nearby Normalville, Fayette County.

Great-granddaughter Betty Younkin ( ? -living) was united in matrimony with Sidney McClintock ( ? -living). The couple dwelled in Confluence in 1997-2024. Their brood of children included Richard N. McClintock and Lester McClintock. 

Great-great-grandson Richard N. McClintock (1967-2024) was born on Dec. 28, 1967. He married Sheila ( ? - ? ) and was the father of Kaitlyn Rugg and Ricky McClintock and the stepfather of Robert Lager. Richard held a membership in the Laborers Union Local 910 of Johnstown and worked for Thomas A. Mekis and Sons and the Joseph B. Fay Co. Said the Somerset Daily American, "He was an avid Pittsburgh Steeler and NASCAR fan and enjoyed hunting, fishing and especially ice fishing in the winter when he was laid off from work." Sadly, at the age of 56, Richard died n April 6, 2024. His funeral was led by a cousin, Pastor Shawn Roberts, of the family of John Walter and Mary May (Miller) Miner. Burial was in McClintock Cemetery.

Great-great-grandson Lester E. McClintock (1972-2011) was born on Nov. 28, 2011. He made his dwelling-place in Confluence. With Jeanne Renee Mitchell, they bore a son, Lester Michael McClintock. Lester lived in Confluence had a special love for watching Pittsburgh Penguins hockey. Sadly, at the age of 39, he died on Nov. 28, 2011. A memorial service was held in the United Community Church of God in Ursina, presided by a distant cousin Rev. Dean Hay of the family of William "Wallace" and Amanda (Younkin) Hechler. His obituary appeared in the Somerset Daily American.

Great-granddaughter Frances Younkin ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with John Kuna. They put down roots in Somerset.

Great-grandson Rex A. Younkin ( ? - ? ) was wed to Dawn Allison. Their children are Tashia Younkin, Amber Younkin and Paige Younkin.

  • Granddaughter Ida Younkin (1925-2969) was born in about 1925. She wed (?) Metheney ( ? - ? ). She passed away in 1969 with burial in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Kingwood.

Daughter Sarah Anne "Anna" Younkin (1890- ? ) was born in October 1890 in Lower Turkeyfoot. Unmarried at the age of 24, she resided in 1914 with her mother in Draketown. Nothing more is known.

Son Aldo "Clyde" Younkin (1896-1953) was born on March 1, 1896 in Confluence and grew up in Draketown. At the age of 20, on July 12, 1916, he was joined in marital union with 19-year-old Rosa Ohler (1897-1958), daughter of James and Sarah (Klink) Ohler. Their six children were Nora Violet Drabish, Clark S. Younkin, Kenneth D. Younkin, Jess Younkin, Ethel Shaw and Ruth Johnson. When Clyde obtained a job as a car maker with American Steel Foundry Company, the family relocated to Verona near Pittsburgh, with an address of 1219 Pineridge Street. Tragedy struck on the morning of May 11, 1953 when 57-year-old Clyde suffered a heart attack and died at work. His remains were returned to Somerset County for funeral services at the Church of God in Somerset followed by burial in St. John's Cemetery. A short death notice was printed in the Pittsburgh Press, which noted that he had passed "suddenly." Rosa lived for another five years after Clyde's sudden death and moved in with her daughter Ruth Johnson at 725 North Euclid Avenue in Pittsburgh. At the age of 60, having suffered hardening of the arteries for a decade. she suffered an acute heart attack and died within the hour, on Jan. 11, 1958. She rests beside her husband at St. John's.

  • Granddaughter Nora Violet Younkin (1919- ? ) was born in 1919. She married (?) Drabish. Circa 1998, her residence was in Maple Heights, OH.
  • Grandson Clark Sylvester Younkin Sr. (1925-1995) was born on Feb. 7, 1925 in Somerset, PA. He was joined in wedlock with Elsie Marie Blair ( ? - ? ). Seven children born into this family were Larry Blair Younkin, Clark Sylvester Younkin Jr., Wanda Younkin, Linda Younkin, Connie Younkin, Debbie Younkin and Virginia Younkin. The Younkins made their dwelling-place in Wilkinsburg, PA in the mid-1950s. Later, by the 1990s, they relocated to North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County. Clark died at the age of 70 on Nov. 22, 1995. A notice of his death was printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. His memorial service was held at the Chapel of Greater Works Church in Monroeville.

    Great-grandson Larry Blair Younkin ( ? - ? ) married Marsha. He was deceased by 2024.

    Great-grandson Clark Sylvester Younkin Jr. (1954-2024) was born on July 12, 1954 in Wilkinsburg near Pittsburgh. He was joined in wedlock with Nancie A. Brunn ( ? - ? ). Together, they produced a family of five -- Elliott John Younkin, Alana Marie Younkin, Kaleena Mae Lorinchak, Chelsea Nicole Younkin and Lindsey Clark Younkin. Said an obituary, "Clark was a hard working man and he so loved being with his family and extended families. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time at the lake with his family. He was a very loving and caring man who would do anything to help anyone. He enjoyed spending time in his pool with his grandchildren. He had a great sense of humor, especially when he was with his sister Linda. He would turn anything into song. He loved to sing." Their final years were spent in Macedonia, OH. Sadly, at the age of 69, Clark died on Jan. 3, 2024.

    Great-granddaughter Wanda Younkin ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Robinson.

    Great-granddaughter Linda Younkin ( ? - ? ) tied the marital cord with (?) Powers (as of 1995). Later, she married (?) Settnek ( ? - ? ). She was deceased by 2024.

    Great-granddaughter Connie Younkin ( ? - ? ) was united in matrimony with Al Lardo.

    Great-granddaughter Debbie Younkin ( ? - ? )

    Great-granddaughter Virginia Younkin ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 1995. 

  • Grandson Kenneth D. Younkin ( ? - ? ) made a home in 1995 in Duquesne, PA.
  • Grandson Jesse Clyde Younkin ( ? -1998) was born in Somerset, PA. He relocated to Ohio. Jesse exchanged marital vows with Laura "Maxine" Ledford (1925-1997), daughter of James Ledford. Their duo of children were Judy Hoover and John C. Younkin. Their son was afflicted for years with cerebral palsy. Jesse was a longtime truck driver employed by Brown and Graves Lumber Company. He belonged to the East Market Street Church of God. As of 1967, their address was 49 Akers Avenue, Akron, OH. Sadly, Maxine died on May 28, 1997. Jesse only outlived her by a little more than seven months. He passed away on Jan. 3, 1998. Rev. Omer L. Henderson presided over the funeral rites, with burial in Hillside Memorial Park. An obituary was printed in the Akron Beacon Journal.

    Great-grandson John C. Younkin (1944-1967) 

    Great-grandson John C. Younkin (1944-1967) was born in 1944 in Akron. He suffered from cerebral palsy and attended a CP school. 

  • Granddaughter Ethel B. Younkin (1928-2007) was born in about 1928. Ethel wed Fleming Scott Shaw Sr. The brood of four children they bore together included Marilyn B. Conley, Fleming Scott Shaw Jr., Rege Shaw and Frank D. Shaw. They dwelled in Pittsburgh's Greenfield community for many years. Sadly, Ethel died at the age of 78 on Jan. 5, 2007. Her services were conducted in the Praise Assembly Church in North Versailles. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review published an obituary.

    Great-granddaughter Marilyn B. Shaw married (?) Conley and has lived in Gibsonia, PA

    Great-grandson Fleming Scott Shaw Jr. moved to Tennessee.

    Great-grandson Rege Shaw migrated to Maryland.

    Great-grandson Frank D. Shaw was deceased by 2007.

  • Granddaughter Ruth Younkin (1935-1997) was born on Jan. 21, 1935. She entered into marriage with Jack M. Johnson (May 19, 1932-2000). They lived in Pittsburgh's Greenfield neighborhood. Three daughters of the couple were Pamela Ruth Rushing, Claudia Nowosielski and Jacklyn Johnson. Sadly, at the age of 62, Ruth died two days after Christmas 1997. Her funeral was held in the Praise Assembly of God in North Versailles, with burial in Jefferson Memorial Park. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette printed an obituary. Jack survived his bride by 14-plus months. The angel of death gathered him away on March 8, 2000.

    Great-granddaughter Pamela Ruth Johnson married (?) Rushing. They relocated t oTustin, CA.

    Great-granddaughter Claudia Johnson wed (?) Nowosielski.

    Great-granddaughter Jacklyn Johnson ( ? - ? )

Obituary, 1993

Son Dewey Levi Younkin (1898-1947) was born on Sept. 26, 1898 in Confluence. He was only age nine when his father died and age 16 when he became orphaned entirely. Dewey was married to Mabel M. Knopsnyder (1902-1993), daughter of James and Sarah (Linterman) Knopsnyder. They dwelled in Rockwood and produced five children during the decade of the 1920s -- Warren D. Younkin, Leona P. Hepner, Gloria Grata, Cecil Blair Younkin and Ethel Marie Younkin. In about 1932, Dewey and Mabel relocated to Robindale, Indiana County, PA, while some of the children remained behind. Their postal address was Smokeless, PA. There, Dewey found work as a weigh boss in the coal mines of Penelec, sometimes known as the Robindale Mine, owned by West Penn Power Company. At least one of their sons, Cecil, served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. Dewey was stricken with a heart attack and died at the age of 49 on Dec. 5, 1947. The body was shipped back to Rockwood for burial. Mabel survived for another astounding 46 years and lived in New Florence, PA. She passed away in Altoona's Mercy Hospital at the age of 90 on May 21, 1993.

 

  • Grandson Warren D. Younkin (1921-1962) was born on July 16, 1921. He wedded O. Joy Arnett (1922-2012), a native of England who was the daughter of Charles Thomas and Ethel Mae (Lack) Arnett. They had three known children -- Sheila Marie Berezansky, Randy John Younkin and Kerry Warren Younkin. Warren served in World War II with the rank of T/4 with the 825th Engineers. The family made their home in New Florence, PA, where Warren earned a living as a coal miner. Sadly, Warren suffered a heart attack and died immediately on Dec. 3, 1962 at the age of 41. Joy survived him by half of a century and married again to Willard J. Howard Sr. ( ? - ? ). He too had been married before and brought a son to the marriage, Willard J. Howard Jr. Reported the Somerset Daily American, Joy was "a member of the Robindale Union Church where she had sung, played piano and taught Sunday school. She was also a former scout den mother. She also performed with Madame Alexander's School of Dance in London, England, in 1937 and was active in Cambria County M.S. Society where she was a past patient of the year award recipient. Joy was known for her gracious heart and giving nature." Second husband Willard also passed away, leaving her a widow for a second time. She spent her final years at Robindale Heights in the Philadelphia area. She entered eternity in 2012, and her remains were brought back to Somerset County to rest beside Warren's in the Rockwood IOOF Cemetery.

Son Elisha Younkin (1899- ? ) was born in 1899 near Confluence. He may have died young and is not named in his mother's 1914 news obituary.

 

~ Daughter Elizabeth E. (Younkin) Heinbaugh ~

Daughter Elizabeth E. Younkin (1856-1927) was born in February 1856 or 1858 or 1859.

In about 1886, when she was age 27, Elizabeth married 22-year-old William J. (or "Thomas") Heinbaugh (1864-1918), son of Jack and Adaline (Whipkey) Heinbaugh. Elizabeth was six to nine years older than her groom. The Heinbaughs made their residence in Confluence, where Thomas worked as a day laborer.

Their five known children were Cordia B. Heinbaugh, Bertha Naylor, Effie Heinbaugh, Albert Heinbaugh and one who died young.

Stricken for three months with cancer of the throat, Thomas passed into eternity on May 6, 1918 at the age of 52.

Elizabeth followed him to the grave in 1927, specific month and date unknown. Interment was in the Jersey Baptist Church Cemetery. [Find-a-Grave]

Daughter Cordia B. Heinbaugh (1885- ? ) was born in September 1885.

Point Marion, PA, home to Ernest and Bertha Naylor, 1930

Daughter Bertha Heinbaugh (1887-1935) was born on March 16, 1887 in Draketown. She was united in wedlock with Ernest Delmar Naylor (1886-1963), son of Elmer and Margaret (Anderson) Naylor of Mifflintown, PA. The family dwelled in Fayette County, where Ernest was a coal miner. Their known offspring were Margaret Cooley, Viola "Dolly" Dennis, Ray Naylor, Beatrice Holt, Delmar Earnest Naylor, Elizabeth Helen Shipp and Esther Kathryn Watson. Circa 1930, their home was in or near Lake Lynn/Point Marion, Springhill Township, with Ernest and their son Ray employed as coal miners. Heartache enveloped the family when Bertha died of a 13-day intestinal flu on Sept. 18, 1935 at the age of 47. Her remains were placed into rest in Pleasant View Cemetery in Smithfield, Fayette County. [Find-a-Grave] Ernest survived her by almost 30 years and married again to Edna Richards ( ? - ? ). They lived in Point Marion, Fayette County. Battling a weight problem, Ernest suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 76 on Jan. 20, 1963. Interment was in the Lutheran Cemetery in Lake Lynn, Fayette County.

  • Granddaughter Margaret Naylor, also spelled "Marguerite," wedded (?) Cooley. The couple was in Haydentown, Fayette County in the mid-1960s.
  • Granddaughter Viola "Dolly" Naylor wed (?) Dennis. The pair bore a daughter, Ruth Sapp. The Dennises made a residence in Smithfield, Fayette County.
  • Grandson Ray Naylor ( ? - ? ) lived in Uniontown in 1966.
  • Granddaughter Beatrice Naylor married (?) Holt. Circa 1966, they were in Cleveland, OH.
  • Grandson Delmar Earnest Naylor (1916-1966) was born in about 1916. He and Loretta Shipp ( ? - ? ) were joined in marriage. They dwelled in Point Marion, Fayette County and bore three children -- Delmar Earnest Naylor Jr., Robert Naylor and Mary Naylor. The family belonged to Lake Lynn Methodist Church. Delmar was a member of the American Federation of Labor/Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL/CIO). He died at the age of 50, in Uniontown Hospital, on Nov. 14, 1966. The Uniontown Evening Standard printed an obituary.
  • Granddaughter Elizabeth Helen Naylor (1918-1991) was born on Sept. 21, 1918. In 1934, when she was age 16, she was united in wedlock with Edgar Charles Shipp Sr. (Sept. 5, 1912-1974), son of Charles Arthur and Mila Emily (Moats) Shipp. Edgar served as a private in the U.S. Army during World War II. The family lived in Hope Hollow near Lake Lynn, Fayette County. They were the parents of seven -- Edgar Shipp Jr., Edith Ellen Shipp, Bertha Dillow, Harvey A. Shipp, Delmar Shipp, Helen Hixon and Debbie Astolas. The family grieved at the death of daughter Edith Ellen in Fairchance at birth on Oct. 21, 1937. Edgar died on Oct. 7, 1974. Burial was in Little Arlington Cemetery, Fayette County. His wife lived for another 17 years. At the age of 73, Elizabeth passed away two days before Christmas 1991. Her remains are in eternal sleep in Pleasant View Cemetery in Smithfield, Fayette County.

Great-grandson Edgar Charles Shipp Jr. (1934-1997) was born in 1935. In 1953, residing in Lake Lynn, he was convicted of burglary and larceny. In time, he married Mildred Maxine Sutton ( ? - ? ) and Edna (1939-2005). He was the father of six -- Edgar Shipp, Samuel L. Shipp, Daniel Shipp, William "Skip" Shipp, Cathy Price and Rebecca Ship. The Shipps dwelled at Lake Lynn. In late January 1973, the family's four-room frame home was destroyed by fire. Fortunately, no one was home at the time. They went to live temporarily with Edgar's sister Helen Hixon, and the American Red Cross made an appeal for housing, clothing and furniture. Death spirited away Edgar in 1997. Edna lived on for another eight years at Crystal Works near Gans, four miles east of Point Marion, Fayette County. She died in Uniontown on Dec. 3, 2005. The couple rests for all time in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Geneva, Fayette County.

Great-granddaughter Bertha Shipp (1947-2006) was born on April 2, 1947 in Springhill Township, Fayette County. She was wed to George R. Dillow Sr. (1945- ? ). He brought several offspring into the marriage with Bertha. The couple themselves did not reproduce. They lived in Haydentown, Fayette County and held a membership in Faith Fellowship Church in Uniontown. Bertha succumbed to the spirit of death on March 21, 2006 as a patient in nearby Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV. Her remains were lowered under the sod in Mountain View Memorial Park in Brownfield, Fayette County.

Great-grandson Harvey A. Shipp ( ? -2019) was born in (?) in Hope Hollow, Lake Lynn, Fayette County. He married Virginia Adams. The four offspring borne to this marriage were Harvey A. Shipp Jr., Joshua Shipp, Elizabeth Shipp and Angela Jackson. The family residence was in Masontown, Fayette County. Harvey earned a living through his work as an orderly at Sundale Rest Home in nearby Morgantown, WV. In his free time, he liked to hunt. Sadly, at the age of 65, he died at home on Oct. 17, 2019. His remains were interred in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Geneva.

Great-grandson Delmar Shipp dwelled in Grays Landing, Fayette County in 2019.

Great-granddaughter Helen Shipp (1940-2020) was born on June 30, 1940 in Fairchance, Fayette County. She married William D. Hixon ( ? -1995). The family made a home in New Geneva, Fayette County. The couple's six children were Norma Gardner, Debra Zembar, Merle Dillow, Esther Moats, Dianna Hixon and Tammy Hixon. William entered the realm of eternity on Dec. 12, 1995. Helen outlived him by a quarter of a century. She remained in New Geneva and died at the age of 80 on Oct. 31, 2020. She was laid to rest in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Geneva.

Great-granddaughter Deborah "Debbie" Shipp wedded (?) Astolas. She has lived in New Salem, Fayette County.

  • Granddaughter Esther Kathryn Naylor (1924-2010) was born on Dec. 30, 1924 at Lake Lynn, Fayette County. She was was joined in matrimony with Charles Edward "Buck" Watson ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Dolores Jones. Esther earned a living over the years in the cafeteria of Houze Glass in Point Marion, Fayette County and, after a move to Gary, IN, for the Indiana Toll Road. At one time she owned the Wagon Wheel in Delslow, Monongalia County, WV. Toward the end, she was admitted to reside in the Generations Elder Care of Smock near Uniontown, PA. She died there on July 29, 2010 at the age of 85. Interment of the remains was in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Geneva, Fayette County.

Daughter Effie Heinbaugh (1892- ? ) was born in about April 1892.

Son Albert Heinbaugh (1897-1962) was born on Christmas Day 1897 in Draketown. He was joined in marital union with Wilma Arminda Show (1906-1988), daughter of Milton and Elma (Parnell) Show of Henry Clay Township, Fayette County. They bore together these known offspring -- Rev. William Jackson "Jack" Heinbaugh, Thomas Boyd Heinbaugh, W. Eugene Heinbaugh, H. Scott Heinbaugh, W. Van Heinbaugh, Louise Dennis and Irene Wasmer. The family also lost a premature, unnamed daughter the day after Christmas 1936. The Heinbaughs made their home on Fairview Avenue in Confluence, a base from which Albert labored in local coal mines for years. Burdened with chronic heart disease and hypertension, Albert was felled by a stroke and died in Price Hospital 10 days later on Feb. 3, 1962. Wilma outlived him by more than a quarter century and joined him in death on Jan. 2, 1988. An obituary was printed in the Somerset Daily American. They rest together in the Jersey Baptist Church Cemetery.

  • Grandson Rev. William Jackson "Jack" Heinbaugh (1923-1989) was born on July 7, 1923 in Draketown. On Dec. 21, 1946, when he was 23 years of age, he was united in matrimonial union with Bonnie J. ( ? - ? ). The couple's five children were Kenneth W. Heinbaugh, Paul R. Heinbaugh, Jacquelyn Sue Nims, Gretchen G. Richmond and Daniel Heinbaugh. Jackson received his bachelor's degree from Penn State University in 1947 and went on to additional studies at Nyack College, graduating in 1952. He was ordained as a pastor in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and was assigned to congregations over the years in Oklahoma and in 1962 in Brownsville, TX. From 1965 to 1975, he was a school teacher in Andover, OH. As his health failed, Jackson was admitted to Greenville (PA) Hospital. Death carried him into eternal life at the age of 66 on July 31, 1989. Burial was in Williamsfield Center Cemetery in Ashtabula County, OH. An obituary in the Somerset Daily American noted that he was survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
  • Grandson Thomas Boyd Heinbaugh (1925-1994) was born on May 9, 1925. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He relocated to Washington State and in 1989 was in Port Townsend, WA. He succumbed to death at the age of 69, in Brush Prairie, Clark County, WA on Oct. 23, 1994. He sleeps in honored rest in Laurel Grove Cemetery in Port Townsend.
  • Grandson W. Eugene Heinbaugh migrated to Wyoming and was in Casper, WY in 1962. He remained there as of 1989.
  • Grandson H. Scott Heinbaugh joined the U.S. Marine Corps and in 1962 was stationed at the base at Old Beaufort, SC. Later, he established a residence in Los Angeles.
  • Grandson W. Van Heinbaugh lived in Confluence in 1962-1989.
  • Granddaughter Louise Heinbaugh was twice-wed. She first married (?) Popevich. The couple was in New Jersey in 1962. In time she married again to (?) Dennis. She was in New York State in the late 1980s.
  • Granddaughter Irene Heinbaugh also is thought to have been married twice. Her first spouse was William Thomas ( ? - ? ). They lived in Tarentum, PA in 1962. Later she wedded (?) Wasmer. In 1989, she resided in Palm City, FL.

 

~ Daughter Amanda Belle (Younkin) Snyder ~

Daughter Amanda Belle Younkin (1864-1933) was born in June 1862 or in August 1864 in Lower Turkeyfoot.

In about 1884, the 20-year-old Amanda was united in matrimony with Samuel Snyder (1860- ? ), not to be confused with Somerset County Judge Samuel Snyder (1831-1895).

The couple made their home in Addison Township, Somerset County and had three sons, Jacob C. Snyder, Wilson Snyder and Albert J. Snyder.

Later, they relocated to Four Mile Run in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, PA, where in 1900 Samuel was employed as a "coal digger."

Tragically, Samuel died of an undisclosed malady during the decade between 1900 and 1910.

Amanda survived as a widow for many years, with her elder two sons going to work in coal mines and the youngest son running errands until he too was of age to begin mining work. In 1910, her home was in Addison, where she continued to dwell for decades. By the early 1930s, she had moved back to Upper Turkeyfoot. Suffering from senility at the age of 70, she died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Jan. 26, 1933. Her remains were lowered into repose in Addison Cemetery.

Son Jacob C. Snyder (1888- ? ) was born in February 1886. He was a coal miner in 1910 and lived at home with his mother and brothers that year, at the age of 22.

Son Wilson Snyder (1894-1938) was born on Nov. 15, 1891. His birthdate also has been given as September 1894. When he was age 26, in 1920, he was divorced and lived with his widowed mother and brother, earning a living as a coal miner. In 1933, at the death of his mother, Wilson resided in Markleton and signed the Pennsylvania certificate of death. He eventually wedded a double cousin, Emma Younkin (1892-1967), daughter of Jonas M. and Josephina "Fina" (Younkin) Younkin. See the Younkin biography for more.

Son Albert J. Snyder (1900-1956) was born on May 25, 1900. He was a coal miner as a young adult, laboring in the mines of southern Somerset County. At the age of 24, in late September 1924, Albert married June Sterner (1906-1990), daughter of Jesse J. and Ora (Wills) Sterner of Harnedsville. Justice of the peace W.H. Zufall officiated at the wedding ceremony. The couple made their home in Addison Township near Confluence. Their four children were Shirley Holliday, Albert Snyder Jr., Jaquay Snyder and John Snyder. Over the years, Albert supported the family through his work as a laborer. Albert was stricken by a heart attack and died at home at the age of 56 on Oct. 9, 1956. A short obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Burial was in Addison Cemetery. June survived another 34 years. She passed away in Henry Clay Villa in Markleysburg at the age of 83 on June 20, 1990. Rev. Gregory Deans led the funeral service at Ursina Cemetery. The Somerset Daily American reported that she was survived by seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

  • Granddaughter Shirley Snyder wedded (?) Holliday.
  • Grandson Albert Snyder Jr. was deceased by 2020.
  • Granddaughter Jaquay Snyder
  • Grandson John Snyder

 

~ Son Peter "Albert" Younkin ~

 

Younkin Family News Bulletin, 1941

Son Peter "Albert" Younkin (1867-1940) was born on March 16, 1867 in Lower Turkeyfoot. He preferred the life of a bachelor and never married, spending his years in the Confluence area.

Albert made a living for many years as a general laborer in the lumber business. In later years he roomed with his widowed sister in law Ella Younkin.

In the fall of 1940, however, he worked as a handyman at Yeagley Restaurant in Confluence, among other things tending to the furnace. The two-story building, located between Dodd Hotel and the old Riverside Hotel building, was owned at the time by G.A. Frantz and Allen Groff. On the fateful day of Oct. 10, 1940, while he was at work, he "was eating his evening meal as were several patrons when he smelled smoke," reported the Connellsville Daily Courier. "He went into the cellar to the furnace to investigate. A few minutes later he staggered out of the cellar into an alleyway near Dr. T.R. Show, Harry Camp and Melvin Hyatt, where he slumped to the ground, dead. Examination of the body at the funeral parlors of Charles Humbert indicated a heart attack, superinduced by over exertion and near suffocation in the smoke-filled cellar, had caused his death."

Burial was in the Kingwood IOOF Cemetery, with Rev. J.O. Martin preaching the funeral service. His brother Calvin was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. The news story about Albert's senseless death was reprinted in the final issue of the Younkin Family News Bulletin (June 30, 1941).

 

Dodd Hotel in Confluence, next to the Yeagley Restaurant

 

~ Son Jacob "Calvin" Younkin ~

Son Jacob "Calvin" Younkin (1869-1949) was born on April 30, 1869 in Lower Turkeyfoot.

In about 1892, when he was 22 years of age, Calvin was wedded to Estella "Stella" Flanigan (1874-1942), daugher of George and Mary (Silbaugh) Flanigan.

They made a home in Confluence, on Sterner Street, and had six children -- Alfred M. Younkin, Sue Marie Rogers, Lloyd Clive Younkin, Harry Younkin, Lillian Dorothea Ramsey and Russell E. Younkin.

Stella appears to have enjoyed the public limelight, as no fewer than 34 articles about her routine comings, goings and health were  printed in the Younkin Family News Bulletin between 1938 and 1941.

Suffering from heart valve disease, Stella succumbed at the age of 67 on May 20, 1942. Burial was in Addison Cemetery, with son Russell, who lived in Clairton, PA, signing the death certificate.

Calvin died two days before Christmas 1949 at the age of 80. He was interred in Addison Cemetery.

Son Alfred M. Younkin (1893-1971) was born on March 10, 1893 in Confluence. Alfred married Helen Fick (1895-1975) and they had an only son, John C. "Jack" Younkin. The Younkins lived in Homestead near Pittsburgh in 1915 and later returned to Confluence by 1926. The couple later divorced. Alfred moved to Akron, Summit County, OH. He died there at the age of 77 on Jan. 18, 1971. His body was returned to Somerset County for burial in Addison Cemetery, with Rev. Arthur Gotjen leading the funeral service. The Somerset Daily American noted in an obituary that he was survived by four grandchildren.

  • Grandson John Calvin "Jack" Younkin (1914-2005) was born on Jan. 5, 1914 in Homestead, near Pittsburgh. He grew up in Confluence, Somerset County. He was united in the bonds of matrimony with Martha Lyle ( ? -2003). Their marriage endured for 49 years. The couple's four children were Kathryn Younkin, John Calvin Younkin Jr., Russell Younkin and Susan Lyness. During World War II, Jack served in the U.S. Army. The family relocated to the Tampa area and had a home in the community of Lutz, FL. There, John was president of his own company, Younkin Sports Supply Inc., continuing in that work until retirement. Martha died in Lutz on April 11, 2003. John lived for another two years as a widower and succumbed to death on Oct. 22, 2005. His remains were lowered under the sod in Sunset Memory Gardens, and an obituary was printed in Tampa Bay Online.

Great-granddaughter Kathryn Younkin

Great-grandson John Calvin Younkin Jr. wedded Eydie.

Great-grandson Russell Younkin married MaryLou

Great-granddaughter Susan Younkin was joined in marriage with Thomas Lyness

 

Beaver (PA) College and Musical Institute
Courtesy Beaver Area Heritage Foundation

 

Daughter Sue Marie Younkin (1895-1980) was born on Jan. 27, 1895 in or near Confluence. As a young woman, she graduated from Beaver College in Beaver, PA, and went on to work as a music educator of organ and piano. On Nov. 19, 1919, at the age of 24, she married 27-year-old Joseph A. Rogers (1892-1980), son of Clarence and Sarah (Moore) Rogers of Pittsburgh. The couple remained together for six decades and in 1979 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Joseph served in the American Expeditionary Force during World War I and was in horrific action at the Argonne Forest. They produced two sons -- Calvin Younkin Rogers and Glenn Joseph Rogers Sr. They made their home in the mid-1920s in Pittsburgh. By 1935, the family had relocated to Buffalo, NY and then again in 1944 migrated to Akron, OH, where Joseph had obtained employment with the Atlantic Refining Company. While in Akron, Joseph belonged to the Masons andAshland County Shrine Club. Sue Marie was a member of the Eastern Star and Rebekkah Lodge and was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church. In late 1978, they relocated to Ashland, OH and were admitted to the Brethren Care Nursing Home. Both Sue Marie and Joseph died in 1980, he at 88 on Jan. 19 and she at age 85 on April 4. Burial was in Addison Cemetery, following funeral services in Ashland conducted by Rev. John Landrum and Rev. Clyde Allen Cox and at the cemetery led by Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Gotjen. The Somerset Daily American noted in an obituary that she was survived by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

  • Grandson Calvin Younkin Rogers was married to Helen. They established a residence in Sacramento, CA.
  • Grandson Glenn Joseph Rogers Sr. (1935-2011) was born on April 22, 1935 in Buffalo, NY. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Phyllis Thayer (1936-2019), daughter of Virginia Thayer of Akron, Summit County, OH. Their marital union endured for 53 years. The Rogerses were the parents of three -- Carol Breglio, Julie Bell and Glenn Joseph Rogers Jr. Glenn held a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Tulsa University. He went on to a 39-year career with PPG Industries. His first assignment with PPG was in the company's Columbia Southern plant in Barberton, OH. Over the years they moved as he took on new assignments, including to Akron, OH, Anaheim, CA, Pittsburgh and Lake Charles, LA (in 1978). They remained in Lake Charles for the rest of their lives, with Glenn retiring in 1998. He belonged to St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church -- she to Sunrise United Methodist Church -- and Glenn to the Lake Area Runners and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He also liked to run, ski, golf, fly, sing, and build and fly aircraft. Phyllis was employed as a realtor and at one time served as president of the Lake Charles Board of Realtors. Glenn died in Lake Charles at the age of 75 on March 8, 2011. Phyllis lived for another eight years and surrendered to death at the age of 83 on Nov. 20, 2019.

Great-granddaughter Carol Rogers married James Breglio. They are the parents of Dylan Breglio and Anthony Breglio. In 2011, the Breglio family dwelled in Colorado Springs, CO.

 

Type of AWACS aircraft Glenn Jr. was piloting when he was killed. Courtesy AirForce.com

Great-granddaughter Julie Rogers wedded William Jack Bell Sr. They bore a son, William Jack Bell Jr. She was in Mandeville, LA circa 2011.

Great-grandson Capt. Glenn Joseph "Skip" Rogers Jr. (1967-1995) was born on June 1, 1967 in Akron, Summit County, OH. He pursued a career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and was a commander with the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron.. In the mid-1990s, holding the rank of captain, he was assigned to pilot a $180 million aircraft known as the E-3B "Advanced Warning and Control System (AWACS), a modified version of the Boeing 707. He lost his life on the horrific and fiery day of Sept. 22, 1995, when Glenn was age 28 and taking part in a training mission. While the airplane was taking off at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, AK, a flock of geese flew into its path, causing the jet engine to stall. The plane crashed and burned in a fireball, killing Glenn and 23 others. The New York Times reported that the accident had "left one of the world's most advanced surveillance planes scattered like confetti in an Alaskan forest." The smoke from the crash could be seen for 30 miles. Whatever of his remains were recovered were placed into honored sleep in the U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs. In his honor, the Skip Rogers Memorial Fund was established in care of McNeese State University Foundation in Lake Charles, LA.

 

Lloyd Clive Younkin

Son Lloyd Clive Younkin Sr. (1896-1926) was born on Nov. 16, 1896 in or near Confluence. He had brown eyes and light brown hair, and was of medium height and build. In early adulthood, Lloyd obtained a job with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad and apparently was based for a time at its facilities in Rankin, near Pittsburgh. He left the company during World War I to serve with the American Expeditionary Force and stated in official paperwork that his mother was his next of kin. Lloyd spent 11 months in Europe with an engineers regiment. After the war, he returned home to Confluence. On July 5, 1921, in Pittsburgh, he was wedded to Rebecca Elizabeth Schultz (1899-1956), daughter of Jacob R. and Bertha (Phillippi) Schultz of Rockwood. Their three children were Mary Ellen Hall, Anna Louise Hay and Lloyd Clive Younkin Jr. Lloyd was considered "well known" and was a member of the Confluence Methodist Episcopal Church, the Knights of Pythias and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. In about 1920, he obtained employment as a railroad laborer with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Connellsville Division, and worked there for six years. On the fateful day of Aug. 7, 1926, the 29-year-old Lloyd lost his life in an awful rail accident while at Manila, between Rockwood and Cumberland, MD. Reported the Connellsville Weekly Courier, "The air hose of the train burst and Mr. Younkin, who was walking from the top of one car to another, was thrown beneath the train and was dragged for a considerable distance. He was brought to the hospital where it was discovered that his left leg was so badly mangled that amputation was necessary." Physicians noted that his left leg was crushed from mid thigh downward. The combination of profuse bleeding and shock led to his death. Burial was in the Rockwood IOOF Cemetery, with brother Russell E. Younkin of Confluence signing the death certificate. In an obituary, the Weekly Courier lamented that he "had been in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for six years and was popular among railroad men, as well as all others who knew him. Of a sunny disposition he won the friendshiop of all with whom he came in contact. His wife and mother were at the hospital when death came." Rebecca somehow recovered from the tragedy and raised their three young children, who ranged in age from one to four when the father was killed. At the age of 57, suffering from acute rheumatic heart disease, she died on May 31, 1956.

 

Above: Lloyd C. Younkin, World War I, and Rebecca in girlhood. Below: grave in Rockwood IOOF Cemetery and Meyersdale Republican obituary

 

 

News article, 1993
  • Granddaughter Mary Ellen Younkin (1922-2009) was born on Feb. 9, 1922 and was only four and a half years of age when her father lost his life. On Feb. 6, 1943, when Mary Ellen was 20, she married William Henry Hall ( ? -1997) in a World War II-era ceremony at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The couple had two sons, William Henry "Bill" Hall II and Jerry Calvin Hall. Mary Ellen obtained a college education at the University of Akron and was employed over the years by Penn Mutual Insurance Company in West Chester, PA. They lived in West Chester and Ulysses, PA. Mary Ellen and Bill attended many Younkin Reunion East gatherings in the 1990s and early 2000s. Sadly, Bill died in 1997. Mary Ellen survived for another dozen years and passed away at the age of 87 on May 1, 2009. An obituary was printed in the Somerset Daily American. Their son Bill and his wife Helen have attended Younkin Reunions in Kingwood in the 2010s, donating homemade pies for the annual fundraising auction.
  • Grandson Lloyd Clive Younkin Jr. ( ? -1972) was born in (?). He married June Felton and produced two sons -- Lloyd Clive Younkin III and Kirby H. Younkin. Lloyd Jr. was a veteran of World War II. The family relocated to Johnstown, PA and then in about 1966 moved to Florida, establishing a residence in Sarasota. While in Florida, he was a 50 percent owner of Siesta Liquors. Lloyd died at age 47 on July 16, 1972. Burial was in Sarasota Memorial Park.
  • Granddaughter Anna Louise Younkin (1923- ? ) was born on Dec. 12, 1923. At the age of 19, on Sept. 11, 1943, Anna Louise married Karl Homer Hay ( ? - ? ), son of Homer and Kate Hay. They dwelled for decades in Berlin, Somerset County and owned and operated Hay's Office Supply. The couple produced two chidlren, David Karl Hay and Becky Kate Hay. The Hays were members of the Berlin Brethren Church, where Karl was a deacon and both were members of the Willing Workers Class, while Anna was a member of the church choir. Karl also belonged to the Masons, Shriners, Pittsburgh Consistatory, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Last Man's Club and Somerset Community Hospital board. Anna Louise was active with the Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary and Children's Aid Home Board. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 11, 1993 and were pictured in a related story in the Somerset Daily American.

Son Harry Younkin (1896- ? ) was born in 1896 in or near Confluence. In 1920, when he was age 24, he was a patient in the Somerset County Home and Hospital as shown in the federal census record. He had no occupation that year. His fate after 1920 is a mystery. In August 1926, when his brother Lloyd was killed in a railroad accident, Harry was not named in the obituary which otherwise listed surviving brothers and sisters.

Daughter Lillian "Dorothea" (or "Etha") Younkin (1902-1971) was born in about 1902 in Confluence. In 1924, in Pittsburgh, she was joined in marital union with Rev. Leonard J. Ramsey ( ? -1949), a South Carolina native who studied at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1926, their home was in Pittsburgh. Their three sons were William J. Ramsey, Richard J. "Dick" Ramsey and Donald "Roger" Ramsey. Leonard attended Dorland Institute in Hot Springs, NC, Maryville College in Tennessee and Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN, where he obtained his bachelor of arts degree. He then continued his studies at Colgate-Rochester Divinity School, earning a bachelor of divinity degree. "Several years of graduate work followed, including studies at University of Pittsburgh, Columbia University and other institutions," said the Meyersdale Republican. "He held three pastorates before coming to Painesville, having served in Pittsburgh, Pa., for seven years, New Philadelphia, O., eight years, and most recently Mount Vernon, seven years. He is past president of both the Pennsylvania and Ohio Pastors conferences, and now is a trustee of the Ohio Baptist Convention. He also has served on the faculty of the Young Peoples' Summer Assembly." In January 1943, he was appointed pastor of the First Baptist Church of Painesville, OH. Reported the Republican in June 1949, he "instituted the week day religious education program in Painesville which functioned successfully in that area for some time. He was one of the five men who organized the Akron-Ashtabula summer camp for young people. This $40,000 project, on a site on Lake Erie at Conneaut, was started two years ago and still is in the process of completion. It was used for summer camping for the first time last year." At the age of 60, having been ill for a few days, Leonard went through with the Sunday morning worship service on June 7, 1949, only to be swept away in death by a heart attack later that morning. Dorothea succumbed in Painesville, OH in 1971 at the age of 69.

Son Russell E. Younkin (1904-1991) was born on Jan. 5, 1904 in Confluence. At the age of 21, in 1926, he lived in Confluence. He was united in holy wedlock with Mildred Bailey ( ? - ? ), daughter of Frank K. and Bessie (Colborn) Bailey of Connellsville. For many years, they made their home in Clairton, PA. Their two offspring were Paul Bailey Younkin and Stella Younkin. Russell passed into eternity in Clairton at age 87 on Nov. 20, 1991.

 

~ Daughter Sarah "Sadie" (Younkin) Gerhart ~

 

Little Clara's grave, 1894,
Delilah Younkin Cemetery

Daughter Sarah "Sadie" Younkin  (1872-1944) was born on July 21, 1872 in Confluence.

On Nov. 1, 1889, at the age of 17, she was united in marriage with 21-year-old John W. Gerhart (1868-1937), son of Nelson and Sarah (Nicholson) Gerhart of Milford Township, Somerset County.

Their 11 children were Clyde Gerhart, Paul Gerhart, Jacob Nelson Gerhart, William Gerhart, Homer Gerhart, Sarah Beal, Mary Hook, Bertha Henry, Clara Gerhart and Florence Shockey.

Little daughter Clara did not survive childhood. She died on Aug. 25, 1894, at the tender age of one year and three days. Her tiny remains were lowered into rest in the family burying ground at the Delilah Younkin Cemetery in Hexebarger.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1900, the Gerharts dwelled in Greenville, Somerset County. Deep sadness swept through the family in 1903 when their nine-year-old daughter Clara died of unknown causes.

 

YFNB, 1938

In about 1929, the couple may have separated, as Sadie went to live with her married daughter Florence Shockey in the Dormont section of Pittsburgh, while John remained in Meyersdale and served as Commissioner of Streets for the borough from 1932 until his death.

Stricken with acute pancreatitis, John underwent surgery in Hazel McGilvery Hospital to drain the infected organ, but could not rally. He died on Dec. 8, 1937 at the age of 69. Burial was in Meyersdale Cemetery, with Rev. J.C. Little of the Methodist church officiating. His newspaper obituary was republished in the Younkin Family News Bulletin (April 30, 1938). As street commissioner, "he stood for the best for his town, and leaves a host of sorrowing friends and neighbors, who mourn his passing," said the obituary.

 

Obituary, 1944

Sadie outlived him by seven years, making her home in Meyersdale with her daughter Bertha Henry in 1940. By 1944, she had moved to the Shockey home in Dormont at 2742 Philadelphia Avenue.

Having been treated for hypertension and heart disease, she suffered a stroke on or about New Year's Day 1944. She suffered in this stae for about five weeks and finally expired at age 71 on Feb. 6, 1944. Her remains were returned to Meyersdale to enter final rest. Rev. Thomas R. Thomas of the Methodist church led the funeral service.

Son Clyde Gerhart (1890-1946) was born on March 30, 1890. He married Sarah "Sadie" Mull ( ? - ? ). They produced seven children -- Roy A. Gerhart, John W. Gerhart, Roger E. Gerhart, William E. Gerhart, Mrs. Curtis Clites, Anna M. Gerhart and Ruth F. Gerhart. Clyde was employed with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Somerset County. He was widely considered a good worker and well liked. On the sad day of Jan. 21, 1946, John and track foreman Herbert Fidler "were working together, loading rails about half a mile east of the Yoder coal tipple," reported the Meyersdale Republican, "when Gerhart, who seemed in his usual spirits, stoopoed over the brush some snow that had accumulated on the rails, and suddenly collapsed to the ground. Fidler immediately started with the stricken man to a physician in Meyersdale, but he died on the way." Upon examination, Deputy County Coroner Dr. E.C. Saylor pronounced the cause of death as a heart attack. Interment was in Union Cemetery, with Rev. S.C. Keiser officiating.

  • Grandson Roy A. Gerhart (1914-1974) was born in 1914. He married Pauline Livengood ( ? - ? ). The couple's two offspring were Daniel Gerhart and Barbara Shrum. Roy was a veteran of World War II. He earned a living as custodian of the Meyersdale United Methodist Church for 27 years.

Great-grandson Daniel Gerhart ( ? - ? )

Great-granddaughter Barbara Gerhart ( ? - ? ) married Bruce Shrum ( ? - ? ).

  • Grandson John W. Gerhart ( ? - ? )
  • Grandson Roger E. Gerhart ( ? - ? )
  • Grandson William E. Gerhart ( ? - ? )
  • Granddaughter Mrs. Curtis Clites ( ? - ? )
  • Granddaughter Anna M. Gerhart ( ? - ? )
  • Granddaughter Ruth F. Gerhart ( ? - ? )

Son David E. Gerhart (1896- ? ) was born in about 1896. Nothing more about him is known.

Daughter Sarah J. Gerhart (1897- ? ) was born in about 1897. She was wedded to Charles Beal ( ? - ? ). In 1946, they lived in McKeesport, near Pittsburgh.

Daughter Bertha A. Gerhart (1896- ? ) was born in about 1896 or 1899. She was married to Brent L. Henry (1893- ? ), a Maryland native. Their home in 1940 was in a rented house in Meyersdale, where Brent worked as a railroad brakeman. By 1946, they had moved to Connellsville. Their seven known children were Leu U. Henry, Mary L. Henry, Doris E. Henry, Robert J. Henry, Jean D. Henry, Betty J. Henry and Shirley A. Henry.

Son Paul Gerhart ( ? - ? ) dwelled in Meyersdale in 1946.

Son Jacob Nelson Gerhart (1905-1971) was born in 1905. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. He was based in San Francisco in 1944 and remained there at least through 1946. In time he returned to Somerset County and wedded a distant double cousin, Kathryn Firestone (1909-2002), daughter of Daniel Winfield and Pearl Jennie (Younkin) Firestone of the family of Rev. Herman and Susanna (Faidley) Younkin. They faced overwhelming grief at the death of their daughter Sherlie at birth on Oct. 11, 1938. Circa 1978, the Gerharts made their residence in Latrobe, Westmoreland County.

Grant Street in Salisbury, PA, also known as "Elk Lick" 

Son William E. Gerhart (1907-2002) was born in 1907. He married Mary Elizabeth Arnold (1905-1984). The couple resided in Salisbury, Somerset County in the mid-1940s.

Son Homer L. Gerhart ( ? - ? ) made his home in 1946 in Cumberland, MD.

Daughter Mary Gerhart ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was united in matrimony with Fred Hook ( ? - ? ). Their home in 1946 was in Charleroi, Washington County, PA.

Daughter Florence Gerhart (1905- ? ) was born in about 1905. She married Eli G. Shockey (1903- ? ). By 1929 they relocated to Wilmerding, Allegheny County where they remained at least through 1935 before moving to the Dormont section of Pittsburgh, in a house on Crosby Road. Eli obtained employment as a draftsman with an oil company, where he worked in 1940. In 1944, their address was 2742 Philadelphia Avenue in Dormont. Their three known children were Gordon Shockey, Philip Shockey and Mary Kathryn Shockey.

 

~ Son Oscar "Emerson" Younkin ~

 

Kingwood IOOF Cemetery

Son Oscar "Emerson" Younkin (1874-1937) was born on March 12, 1874 in or near Confluence.

When he was age 19, on March 17, 1894, he was united in holy wedlock with 18-year-old Ellen S. "Ella" Nicola (1876-1956), daughter of John J. and Elizabeth "Betsy" (Kreger) Nicola of Draketown, also spelled "Nicklow." They remained wedded for a total of 42 years until separation by death.

The Younkin and Nicklow families were close, and Emerson's cousin William Lincoln Younkin married Ella's sister Margaret Nicola/Nicklow.

Their three children were Elvie Reid Shaffer, Corda Emily "Cordie" Leer and Wilbert Younkin.

Oscar made a living as a laborer, and for nine years worked in Braddock near Pittsburgh for the Beggs & Cobb Leather Manufacturing Company. In 1900 and 1910, the U.S. Census records him as a laborer in a local tannery, with the family dwelling in 1910 in the borough of Confluence.

By 1920, Emerson at age 45 had changed his occupation and had obtained employment as a railroad watchman in Confluence. He was a member of a lodge known as the Maccabees, a fraternal organization which functioned as a mutual life insurance fund. Along with fellow Maccabees members E.L. Beggs, Frank Bowlin, Charles Reynolds, Samuel Firestone, Daniel Smith and Grant Pyle, circa 1922, they trained men in Somerset to become members. This group may have become part of the International Order of Odd Fellows, a lodge to which Emerson belonged later in life.

The Younkins were members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Confluence.

In October 1936, just under a year before Emerson's death, he received visitors at his home -- James B. Younkin and distant double cousin Charles Arthur "Charleroi Charley" Younkin, an organizer of the Younkin National Home-coming Reunion who was trying to make sense of all of the disparate branches of the sprawling ancient family. In a letter to reunion president Otto Roosevelt "Pete" Younkin, Charley wrote: "On yesterday Sunday I visited at Confluence Pa. with cousin Jas. B. Younkin, was over to see Emerson Younkin, who is in bad shape. .I doubt if he ever pulls through the winter."

 

YFNB, 1937

Emerson died on Sept. 8, 1937 at the age of 62. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier said that he had been "confined for the past two years with complications of diseases" and was "a prominent resident of Confluence." Burial was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Kingwood, following funeral services conducted by his pastor, Rev. F.M. Kees. 

Writing again after Emerson's death, to cousin David Franklin Younkin, Charley Younkin said:

Thank you for the news clipping of the death of O.E. Younkin, he being a son of Weasel Jacob Younkin and a brother of Wesley, Henry Calvin and others you have met. He being a first cousin of our good friend Wm. L. Younkin, who died shortly after our 1936 Reunion. Yes I believe the wife of O.E. Younkin, Nicklow being of the same family as that of the wife of your ancestor Jacob Younkin. O.E. or Emerson Younkin was a fine fellow. He had been an invalid for a long time. I visited with him while sick about a year ago. He lived near my cousin Jas B. Younkin [son of James Dempsey Younkin and grandson of George A. and Charlotta (Younkin) Younkin].

When the inaugural edition of theYounkin Family News Bulletin was printed at Christmas 1937, Emerson's obituary was reprinted in the national family newspaper.

Ellen survived her spouse and lived for another 19 years. In 1940, she headed her own household in Confluence along Fairview Street, with her married daughter Elvie and grandson Emerson Reid living under her roof. In October 1946, the Daily Courier noted that she had "moved upstairs in the R.C. Clouse property on Sterner Street which was formerly owned by the late G.R. McDonald." Ella passed away in 1956 at the age of 79. Details of her passing will be added here when discovered.

Daughter Corda Emily "Cordie" Younkin (1894-1975) was born on July 14, 1894 in Confluence. She was wedded to a cousin, Albert C. Leer (1898-1987), son of William Austin and Rebecca Jane (Clevenger) Leer of Upper Turkeyfoot and grandson of Benjamin Franklin "Badger" and Emily J. "Emma" (Younkin) Clevenger. See the Clevenger bio for more.

 

Kingwood IOOF Cemetery

Daughter Elva Catherine "Elvie" Younkin (1896-1977) was born on Sept. 8, 1896 in Confluence. She was married twice. Her first husband was James Cummings Reid (1893-1961), son of Alexander and Frances (Critchfield) Reid of East Pittsburgh. The Reids produced these known children -- Kermit J. Reid, Robert R. Reid, Dane R. Reid, Frances E. Hiles, Katherine DeSatnik and Emerson A. Reid. In 1940, Elvie and her son Emerson made their home with her mother in Confluence. In 1940, with James apparently employed elsewhere, she supported herself by working as a waitress in a restaurant. The couple eventually divorced Circa 1961, James made his home in Henry Clay Township, Fayette County, PA, where he worked as a laborer. On Sept. 5, 1961, having suffered from hypertension and kidney disease, James died after suffering a stroke in Confluence. Interment was in Kingwood. On May 5, 1956, when she was 59 years of age, Elvie married a second time to widower Paul Edward Shaffer (1896-1970). A native of Listie, PA, Paul was a longtime employee of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad freight office in New Castle, Lawrence County, PA. His first wife had died in 1947 and he brought three sons to the union with Elvie. Their address in New Castle was 1024 Pollock Avenue. Elvie was made a widow when Paul suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 73 on Valentine's Day 1970. She lived for another seven years. She was taken in death at the age of 80 on May 21, 1977 in New Castle, with obituaries appearing in the New Castle News and the Somerset Daily American. The newspaper said she was survived by 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her remains were brought to Confluence for funeral services conducted by Rev. C.Q. Bonnel and burial in the Kingwood IOOF Cemetery. All of the children remained in New Castle as of 1977.

Son Wilbert Younkin (1898- ? ) was born in December 1898. He married Anna Gray (1899- ? ). They had one known daughter, Betty L. Younkin, born in 1920. Wilbert was a railroad conductor early in his career and in 1930 was posted in Pittsburgh. He and Anna lived on Beaver Street, and provided a home for her brothers John E. and Edward Gray. Wilbert was promoted to brakeman and circa 1935 worked in Struthers, Mahoning County, OH. By 1940, he was was assigned to a new position in Pittsburgh. That year, they made their home on Harding Avenue in Ross Township in the city's North Hills section. Circa 1977, his home was in Pittsburgh.

 

~ Daughter Ermina F. "Emma" (Younkin) McClintock ~

Daughter Ermina "Emma" F. Younkin  (1878-1948) was born on Jan. 25, 1878 in Somerset County.

She is thought to have married or been in a relationship with Elsworth McClintock ( ? - ? ) and in 1897 had a daughter, Lula Silvis.

Emma later married Henry Walker (1872-1956), an immigrant from England who had come to the United States at the age of nine. Henry had been married before and brought eight children to the union -- Henry Walker Jr., William Walker, Thomas Walker, Bertha Mossholder, Elsie Cavangu, Sarah Crosser, Mrs. Cy Young and Ruth Walker.

Henry and Emma made their home in the Webster-Donora community of Washington County, PA, where he was a longtime coal mine foreman. In 1938, they moved to a new residence in Clinton near Normalville, Fayette County. Emma was a member of the First Baptist Church of Connellsville.

Having endured hardening of the arteries and heart muscle, she died at age 70 on July 12, 1948. Henry signed her death certificate. Interment was in Jersey Baptist Church Cemetery, following a funeral officiated by Rev. John L. Woods of the Buchanan Church of God. An obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Henry moved back to Webster and spent his final years in the home of his son William. He passed away at age 83 on May 15, 1956. His remains were placed into repose in Fells Cemetery, with Rev. W.S. VanRyn preaching the funeral. An obituary was printed in the Daily Courier, which reported that he was survived by 31 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren in addition to brothers Thomas of Indian Head and William of Normalville and sisters Nellie Hodgkin of Alliance, OH, Sarah Caldwell of Washington, PA and Bessie Kennedy of McKeesport, PA.

Daughter Lula Walker (1897-1965) was born on Sept. 2, 1897 in Somerset County. She married Stephen Oaks Silvis (1886- ? ), who was about 11 years older than she. Steve was the son of George and Rachel (Burkett) Silvis and a native of Kane, PA. He may have had a son prior to marriage with Lula, named Wilmer Silvis or Pernell. In 1935-1965 their home was in Clarksburg, Harrison County, WV, where Steve was a longtime coal miner. The federal census of 1940 shows son Wilmer and grandson Wilmer Jr. living under their roof. In the mid-1960s, their address was 252 Haymond Highway. Having suffered from heart problems for six months, Steve died of heart failure at the age of 59 on Nov. 21, 1945. Lula survived him by two decades. She suffered an acute heart attack and died on May 10, 1965 in Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Weston, Lewis County, WV. Wilmer Pernell of Roanoke, VA signed her death certificate. Her remains were lowered into eternal rest in Clarksburg's Greenlawn Cemetery

Stepson Henry Walker Jr. lived in Cleveland in the 1940s and '50s.

Stepson William Walker resided in Donora, PA in 1948 and in Webster in 1956.

Stepson Thomas Walker made his home in Blairsville, PA.

Stepdaughter Bertha Mae Walker married (?) Mossholder and dwelled in Jefferson, PA.

Stepdaughter Elsie Walker was wedded to (?) Cavanaugh and lived in 1948-1956 in Morgantown, WV.

Stepdaughter Sarah Walker was united in marriage with (?) Crosser and in 1948 made her home in Battle Creek, MI.

Stepdaughter Myrtle Walker married Cy Young ( ? - ? ) and lived in Clairton, PA.

Stepdaughter Ruth Walker resided in Clairton in 1948. She was wedded to (?) Allen and in 1956 made her residence in Clairton.

 

Copyright © 2016, 2018-2019 Mark A. Miner

Content for this page graciously shared by the late Olive (Rowan) Duff, the late Donna (Younkin) Logan, Linda Marker, Randolph Henry, Edward Younkin and Leslie (Fuoss) Younkin.