The Young Family of Foxburg, Pennsylvania

The Youngs of Foxburg, Pennsylvania, descend from Robert Young, of Strathmore, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He was of English descent and of a good family. Many of this name have been ministers of the gospel, and in this branch the Rev. Loyal Young is shown to have been a loyal faithful member of the sacred profession. In Clarion county a Young has the distinction of having been the first white male child born in the county, one Thomas Young, born 1802.

(I) Robert Young

Robert Young was born in Massachusetts, died in West Virginia. In 1811 he moved to French Creek, Harrison county, Virginia, where he owned a good farm in Upshur county. He was a man of means and education, giving his children unusual advantages for that early day. He married Lydia Gould, of Massachusetts. Children, all deceased:

1. Festus Young
2. Sophronia Young, married a Mr. Phillips
3. An unnamed Young daughter, married a Mr. Sexton.
4. An unnamed Young daughter, married a Mr. McAboy.
5. Lyman Young
6. Loyal Young, of whom further
7. An unnamed son, died young.

(II) Rev. Loyal Young

Rev. Loyal Young, son of Robert and Lydia (Gould) Young, was born in Charlemont, Franklin county, Massachusetts, July 1, 1806. When he was five years of age his parents moved to French Creek, Harrison county, Virginia, where he obtained a good education in the public schools. In 1826 he entered Jefferson College, whence he was graduated in 1828. He tutored in a private family one year, then entered Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, where he pursued study in divinity until June 21, 1832, when he was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, as a minister of the Presbyterian church. Soon after taking Holy orders, Rev. Mr. Young was sent to Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he preached his first sermon August 29, 1832. He preached as a candidate the following summer and was ordained and installed as the third pastor of the Butler congregation by the Presbytery of Allegheny, December 4, 1833. For nearly thirty-five years he served well his Master’s cause in that congregation. Although no man can estimate the good he accomplished, figures can be given showing results. During his ministry four hundred and fifty persons were brought into the church, eight hundred adults and children were baptized, and over two hundred couples united in marriage. Of the sick and dying visited and cheered, there is no record, nor of funerals attended, but he was always the faithful pastor, and no feature of his work was neglected. He preached his farewell sermon to the Butler congregation May 10, 1868, and the same month took charge of the French Creek and Buckhannon churches in West Virginia. He remained at French Creek eight years, and was then installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Parkersburg, West Virginia, remaining five years. His next pastorate was the Winfield, Point Pleasant and Pleasant Flats churches of West Virginia, where he labored from 1880 until 1885. He then moved to Washington, Pennsylvania, and became supply for a few years. Here his wife died, and a few months afterward, in 1888, he returned to Butler, continuing ministerial work until shortly before his death, October 11, 1890. He was a man of great ability and learning. Washington College in 1858 conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity; he was twice moderator of the Synod of Pittsburgh, once of the Erie Synod, and represented the Presbytery in the General Assembly several times. His published works are: “Commentary on the Book of Ecclesiastes,” “Hidden Treasures,” “Communion,” “From Dawn to Dark,” and but a few weeks before his death he completed a “Commentary on the Book of Proverbs.”

To Dr. Young more than to any other man is due the establishment of Witherspoon Institute at Butler. He was the guiding spirit in calling the convention which brought that school into existence, in preparing the charter, in raising money, and in placing the institution on a solid foundation. He was principal of the institution for a long period, and his name is closely interwoven with its early growth and progress. In a sermon delivered July 2, 1876, Rev. C. H. McClellan paid Dr. Young the following tribute: “A man bold in the defence of the truth, vigorous and active in frame, and indefatigable in promoting the interests of Christ’s cause, his life and work in Butler will be remembered long after he himself shall have passed from earth.” No better testimony to his ability as a preacher and pastor can be found than the well taught and strongly organized church he left in this place; no better proof of the reality of his piety and good works than the readiness with which all classes young and old, rich and poor, Protestant or Catholic, speak his praise. He was indeed an Israelite in whom there was no guile.

He married, October 25, 1832, Margaret P. (died in Washington, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1887), daughter of Rev. Robert Johnston, first pastor of the Presbyterian church of Scrubgrass, Venango county, who died aged nearly ninety years, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Children of Rev. Robert Johnston:

1. Judge Samuel Johnston, judge in Warren county, Pennsylvania, two terms.
2. Rev. Watson Johnston, a minister of the Presbyterian church.
3. Dr. Robert Johnston, a physician of Pittsburgh several years ago.
4. James Johnston, a lawyer, practicing in Kansas.
5. Margaret Johnston, wife of Rev. Loyal Young.
6. Harriet Johnston, married a Mr. Ross, a druggist, both deceased.

Children of Rev. Loyal and Margaret (Johnston) Young:

1. Robert Johnston Young, died in the state of Indiana, a railroad agent, and a veteran of the Civil War.
2. Lydia Ellen Young, died in 1910, unmarried.
3. Rev. Watson Johnston Young, a minister of the Presbyterian church, now retired, living in Michigan, a veteran of the Civil War.
4. Torrence F. Young, of whom further.
5. James Wright Young, a veteran of the Civil War; a gold seeker in Alaska; died in California.
6. Henry Kirk White Young, died in Kentucky, an oil driller.
7. Samuel Hall Young, now a missionary in Alaska.
8. Walter Macon Long Young, now living in California, an oil operator.

(III) Torrence F. Young

Torrence F., son of Rev. Loyal and Margaret (Johnston) Young, was born in Butler, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1840. He was educated in the public school, and in early life was a farmer. He enlisted in Company D, 100th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (“Old Roundheads”), and served two years, and was with his regiment at the battles of Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna River, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher’s Run, Fort Stedman, and the evacuation of Petersburg. He was wounded in the shoulder by a sharpshooter’s bullet in front of Petersburg and compelled to remain in the hospital one month. He received honorable discharge at the close of the war and returned to Pennsylvania. He located at Petroleum Center and worked in the oil field for others until 1870, then moved to Richland township, near Richland, Clarion county, secured leases, and began operating for his own account. He has been a successful operator and so continues, being one of the oldest operators in the county. In 1892 he moved to Foxburg, where he erected a residence on the hill, which he now occupies with his family. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He enjoys the friendship of his old army comrades, and is affiliated with them in the Grand Army of the Republic. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He married, September 12, 1867, Anna Henry, born in Philadelphia (at the time of marriage living in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania), daughter of James and Rachel Henry, born in Maryland, moved to Philadelphia, later to Armstrong county. Anna Henry Young died November 12, 1910, leaving an only child:

1. Maude Mary Young, born January 28, 1876, married February 26, 1907, Robert Burney, a railroad engineer. They reside with Mr. Young in the Foxburg home. Their only child:
   1. William Torrence Burney, was born April 16, 1909.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.