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John 'Nicholas' Younkin Sr. |
John "Nicholas" Younkin Sr. was born on Feb. 21, 1772, the son of John and Anna Maria (Essig) Youngken of Nickamixon Twp., Bucks County, PA.
He was baptized in infancy in the Old Williams Lutheran Church by Rev. Nicholas Mensch.
He is believed to be the same "John Nicholas Youngken" who, according to William J. Buck's 1893 book Account of the Buck Family of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, purchased his grandfather Youngken's farm in 1790 and sold it two years later.
Having learned that he could harness the power of the moving water of Haycock Creek, John built the framework for a new sawmill. Then in 1792, when he bought a tract of land along the creek about a mile away, from sellers Rev. Peter and Catharine Ohl, he took the framework along and erected the first water-powered sawmill in that vicinity.
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| Nicholas Sr.'s farms near Bucksville in Nockamixon Township, 1850, with the abbreviation "S.M." indicating his sawmill. Library of Congress |
Wrote Buck: "This property has been since continuously in the family. The Youngken homestead above Bucksville has of recent years been known as the Lacey farm, which previously had been long in the possession of the Fenner family and later of Alfred Buck now of South Bethlehem."
In September and October 1814, he and his brother Abraham are believed to have served in Captain Wilson's Bucks County Company at Marcus Hook for the defence of Philadelphia during the War of 1812.
John Nicholas first was joined in marital union with Catherine Verity ( ? - ? ).
Three children were borne of this union -- Nicholas Younken Jr., Maria Fischler and Jane Sterner.
Sadly, Catherine died before 1814.
He was united in matrimony with his second wife, Mary Elizabeth Young ( ? - ? ), by the hand of Rev. Mensch.
Their children were John Younkin, Mary Younkin, Julia Ann Kohl, Catherine Ann Zoellner/Selner, Henry Herman Younkin, Abraham Youngken, Herman Younkin and Jesse Younkin.
Nicholas served at some point as a trustee of the Haycock Run schoolhouse in Springfield, located 100 yards north of the Haycock and Nockamixon Township border, along the road from Stony Point to Applebachsville. Built in 1822, wrote Buck,
It was a substantial stone structure, twenty-two feet square, containing five windows, with three of the sides containing desks, for the accommodation of the larger pupils, while the smaller ones were obliged to sit on rude benches constructed of slabs. The teacher had for his use a large oak chair and a medium sized table for a desk. The stove was of huge dimensions, admirably calculated for burning hickory wood. Owing to its location through the enforcement of the school laws it remained vacant and finally went to ruins about 1860 and by 1884 its materials were all removed so that the spot is no longer visible to a stranger passing that way. Among the teachers that taught here were "Billy" Smith, "Old Davie" from York State, Henry S. Afflerbach of Springfield; Isaac McCarty and Isaac McIntyre, of Nockamixon; Mr. Fabian, Dr. John Hoot, of Haycock; Petit Burson, of Bursonville, and Thomas Miller, of Stony Point. Among the trustees were Nicholas Youngken, Frederick Selner, Samuel Fluck, William Campbell, Jacob E. Buck and John E. Mondau.
Mary is said to have passed away in Reigelsville, Bucks County at the age of 86 on Jan. 3, 1883. Not all of the dates are in alignment in this family and need to be verified. John Nicholas' sawmill is said to have been rebuilt several times, and a plank bridge over Haycock Run was constructed at the site of the mill during the Civil War in 1863.
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| The family's 85-acre farm in Nockamixon Twp., 1891. Library of Congress |
~ Son John "Nicholas" Younken Jr. ~
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Nicholas Jr.'s farm, 1891 Courtesy Library of Congress |
~ Daughter Maria (Younken) Fischler ~
Daughter Maria Younken (1817-1872) was born in about 1817.
She wed Gottfried Fischler (1801-1854), also spelled "Godfrey Fishler," of Trenton, NJ.
The couple is believed to have produced four offspring, Joseph Fishler, Mary Fishler, Sarah Daubert and Almeira/Elmira Fishler.
The federal census of 1850 shows the couple in Easton, Northampton County, with Gottfried laboring for a living. In the household that year were daughters Sarah and Elmira as well as Reuben and Susan Gardner, Joseph Gardner, Mary and Justine McCartney.
Research by others gives Gottfried's date of death as July 24, 1854, in Easton, with interment in Easton Cemetery.
If so, Maria lived for the next 18 years as a widow. She dwelled under the Easton roof of son-in-law and daughter Amandus and Sarah Daubert in 1860. The spirit of death carried her away in Easton in Aug. 1872.
Son Joseph Fishler (1824-1903) was born on Jan. 28, 1822 in Easton and must have been a stepson of Maria's. He died at the age of 81, in Trenton, NJ, in Dec. 1903. His remains were laid to rest in Easton Cemetery.
Daughter Mary Fishler (1832- ? ) was born on Oct. 15, 1832.
Daughter Sarah Fishler (1834-1920) was born on April 4, 1834 in West Easton, Northampton County. She entered into marriage with Amandus A. Daubert (1830-1906). Four known offspring of this union were Edwin Forrest Daubert, Thomas Daubert, Clara Thompson, Elmira Stamets, Augustus Daubert, Joseph Daubert and Roscoe Daubert. The family dwelled in Easton in 1860-1906. Sadly, Amadus died on July 6, 1906, with an obituary printed in the Allentown Morning Call. Death enveloped her in Philipsburg, Warren County, NJ in May 1920. Her remains were brought to Easton to sleep eternally in Easton Cemetery.
Daughter Almeira/Elmira Fishler (1842- ? ) was born on Dec 16, 1842. She appears to have been baptized on Sept. 15, 1849.
~ Daughter Jane (Youngken) Sterner ~
Daughter Jane Youngken (1804-1847) was born on Jan. 30, 1804 in Bucks County.
She was united in the bonds of matrimony with John Sterner ( ? - ? ).
The identified children of this brood were Ephraim Sterner, Elisabeth Sterner, Josiah Sterner, Barbara Ann Sterner, Janet Sterner, John Sterner and William Sterner.
Sadness cascaded over the family when Jane died of fever at the age of 43 on Sept. 26, 1847. Burial was in Easton's St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery. No stone is known to mark the grave. According to a page about St. John's on Find-a-Grave, "In 1873 a large portion of the cemetery became the grounds of Taylor School; headstones were moved to the German Reformed Church Cemetery ... (which, in turn, was removed to make way for the Easton Public Library).
In 1889 a Sunday School addition was added to the church over a portion of the cemetery, some of the headstones remain in a 'grave cellar' which may be open to the public once a year but they are few in number."
Their children have been identified but their individual stories have eluded researchers.
Son Ephraim Sterner ( ? - ? )
Daughter Elisabeth Sterner ( ? - ? )
Son Josiah Sterner ( ? - ? )
Daughter Barbara Ann Sterner ( ? - ? )
Daughter Janet Sterner ( ? - ? )
Son John Sterner ( ? - ? )
Son William Sterner ( ? - ? )
~ Son John Youngken ~
Son John Youngken (1815-1891) was born on April 3, 1815.
He tied the marital knot with Maria Kressler (Feb. 10, 1811-1860).
Four offspring of this family were Emmy Leonard, Mary Jane Youngken, John Jerome Youngken and Emaline Youngken.
Sadly, Maria died at the age of 49 on April 14, 1860.
John outlived her by more than three decades. As of 1880, he made a home with his son John Jerome in Hellertown, Northampton County, PA. He passed away at the age of 76 on April 9, 1891. Burial was in Durham Union Cemetery.
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St. Paul's, Applebachsville. Courtesy Donna (Younkin) Logan |
Daughter Mary Jane Youngken ( ? - ? ) -- did she marry Frederick H. Koch ( ? - ? ) of Philadelphia on June 11, 1867, by the hand of Rev. W.S. Emery, as reported in the Bucks County Intelligencer?
Son John Jerome Youngken (1845- ? ) was born in 1845 in Springfield Township, Bucks County. Evidence suggests that he was united in wedlock with Catharine (1950- ? ). Three children of this marriage were Ida Agnes Youngken (1869- ? ), John H. Youngken (1875- ? ) and Philip C. Youngken (1878- ? ). They established their dwelling-place in Hellertown, Northampton County, PA. There, in 1880, John worked at a nearby furnace, and his aged father was under their roof. An Oct. 2, 1896 article in the Philadelphia Times suggests that John "Herbert" at age 21 was arrested for a domestic burglary and his 12-year-old brother Philip held as a witness to the crime.
Daughter Emaline Youngken (1850- ? ) was born in 1850 in Springfield Township, Bucks County.
~ Daughter Mary (Younkin) Musselman ~
Daughter Mary Younkin (1821- ? ) was born in Nov. 1821.
She was joined in wedlock with John Musselman ( ? - ? ).
The pair has not yet been located in the U.S. Census of 1850.
~ Daughter Julia Anna "Juliann" (Younkin) Kohl ~
Daughter Julia Anna "Juliann" Younkin (1823-1907) was born in July 1823.
She entered into marriage with John Kohl (1817?-1889?).
Their two known children were Henry Franklin Kohl and (?) Arthur.
Evidence hints that John died in Durham, Bucks County on May 18, 1889.
Julia's final address was with her granddaughter Mrs. Stewart Long in Easton at 1113 Ferry Street. Stricken with cancer of the left arm, and problems with her salivary glands, at the age of 84, she surrendered to the angel of death on Sept. 1, 1907. Mrs. Arthur, of Easton, provided key details for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. The remains were laid to rest in Durham Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Allentown Morning Call.
Son Henry Franklin Kohl (1846-1934) was born on Nov. 24, 1846. He wed Amelia Reichert Fulmer (Oct. 4, 1849-1935), daughter of Leidy Fulmer. They dwelled in Durham, Bucks County. At the age of 87, Henry died from the effects of chronic heart valve disease on July 31, 1934. Amelia survived for fewer than six months. Also having developed chronic heart valve disease, death overtook her on Jan. 10, 1935. Interment was in Durham Cemetery. Edward A. Unangst of Durham signed the death certificate.
Daughter (?) Kohl married John Arthur. Their residence in 1907 was in Easton.
~ Daughter Catherine Ann (Younkin) Zoellner ~
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Daughter Catherine Ann Younkin (1826-1913) was born on July 19, 1826 or 1829 in Nockamixon Township, Bucks County.
When she was 38 years of age, on Nov. 8, 1867, she wed Charles Zoellner (1833 ? ), also spelled "Zelner," "Sellner" and "Selner," a native of Springfield Township, Bucks County, and the son of Sarah Zoellner. Rev. D. Rothrock presided, with the news reported in the Bucks County Intelligencer.
One known son of this later-life union was John Nicholas Selner.
The federal census enumerations of 1870 and 1880 show the family in Springfield, with Charles toiling as a farmer. By 1900, the Selners had moved to Freemansburg, Northampton County, with the census-taker recording his occupation as "capitalist." They remained in Freemansburg to the end.
Sadly, Charles died at the age of 73 on Dec. 18, 1904.
Catharine outlived him by nine years. Suffering from what a doctor called "cerebral softening," she was felled by a heart attack and, after 55 days, passed into the arms of the angelic host on Dec. 18, 1913. The informant for her death certificate was P.A. Bergstresser of Hellertown, PA. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bucks County.
Son John Nicholas Zelner/Sellner/Selner (1869-1956) was born on the Fourth of July 1869 in Springfield Township, Bucks County. At the age of 30 in 1900, still a bachelor, he lived with his parents in Freemansburg and worked in a merchandise and feed store. He is believed to have been united in matrimony on Jan. 20, 1908, with Ellamina Nicholas ( ? - ? ), a resident of Northampton Heights. Rev. E.R. Jaxheim presided at the ceremony in Christ Lutheran Church in Freemansburg, with the marriage announced on the pages of the Philadelphia Inquirer. They were longtime farmers and belonged to the Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church in Springfield Township. His name generally appears to have been spelled "Selner" in adulthood. In the 1950s, he resided in Allentown at 1903 Turner Street. With his health in decline, John was admitted to live in the Phoebe Home, a senior living facility in Allentown. There, burdened with an enlarged heart, heart disease and hardening of the arteries at the age of 86, he died on Feb. 9, 1956. Rev. Sydney Smith, superintendent of the Phoebe Home, signed the death certificate, spelling the deceased's last name as "Selner" and the names of John's parents as "Charles Zoellner" and "Catharine Ann Youngken." There was no viewing. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bucks County, with an obituary appearing in the Allentown Morning Call.
~ Son Henry Herman Youngken ~
Son Henry Herman Youngken (1831-1924) was born on July 30, 1831 in Nockamixon Township.
After receiving a grade-school education, he learned the trade of cabinet-making and worked in this field as a young man in Bethlehem and Easton, PA.
On April 12, 1857, he married Anna Christianna Lenning (Sept. 1834- ? ), daughter of Adam and Christiana Lenning of Easton, OA. The nuptials were held in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Easton, PA, by Rev. Stadtler, and announced in the Bucks County Intelligencer.
Five children of this union were Sarah Youngken, Mary Alice Carlow, John N. Youngken, Abraham Lenning Youngken and Emma Jane Faben.
Henry also was a longtime farmer and flour miller. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1880, his aged mother and brother Nicholas were in the household, as was a 37-year-old grandson, David Mensch. He and his brother rebuilt the old family flour mill.
In 1889, Henry and his brother Nicholas among others signed a petition to establish Bridgeton Township from its parent Nockamixon Township in Bucks County, as cited in the 1905 book History of Bucks County, Volume 2, by William W.H. Davis. As of 1894, he is believed to have operated Chapmans Quarries Hotel in Northampton County.
Henry also is credited with having served on the Committee on Arrangements for and event of the Buckwampun Literary Association to help celebrated the Bucksville Centennial. Others on this committee were John T. Buck, Harvey Kiser, Sylvester Buck, Owen George, and Abel Kohl, all residents in or near Bucksville, and the descendants of old and respected families," wrote William J. Buck in his 1893 book Account of the Buck Family of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. "Much credit is to be given to the various ways they faithfully labored in making the occasion a grand success."
In 1907, at the death of his sister Julia, Henry was named in the Allentown Morning Call obituary. His final residence was in Nockamixon. Just a few months prior to Henry's death, in October 1924, Rev. O.N. Melchor paid a call to the home and "saw their marriage license dated April 12, 1851," reported the Morning Call. "Mr. Youngkin is 93 and Mrs. Youngkin is 91 and both are able to be about but very hard of hearing. Mr. Youngkin is blind in one eye and Mrs. Youngkin almost entirely blind."
Henry Herman endured a stroke and surrendered to the angel of death on Dec. 28, 1924. Burial was in Durham. Grandson David N. Mensch, of Bucksville, PA, was the informant for the death certificate.
A granddaughter, Gladys D. Youngkin, published a letter in the April 30, 1938 edition of the Younkin Family News Bulletin article saying the old farm was the original homestead and in the family until sold in 1925.
Daughter Sarah Youngken ( ? - ? )
Daughter Mary "Alice" Youngken ( ? - ? ) wed Robert Carlow ( ? - ? ) of Philadelphia. One known son was David M. Carlow
Son John Nicholas Youngken IV ( ? - ? ) may be the same "John N. Youngken, son of Henry Youngken, Nockamixon," who in September 1894 was injured in a hunting accident. Said the Perkasie News Herald, he and Harry Kane of Bucksville "went into the woods to gun for squirrels. After chasing one into a hole in a tree, both men stood their guns against the tree and discussed ways and means of capturing the game. Youngken was leaning against the tree with his left hand, and they came to the conclusion the squirrel could not be caught. Kane picked up his gun, and in doing so struck the hammer against the tree, discharging the piece and sending the whole load through Youngken's arm above the wrist. The unfortunate man was taken to his father's house, where Dr. G.M. Grim, of Ottsville, bandaged the wound and ordered him to be sent to St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem. He was taken to that institution and Saturday afternoon his arm was amputated at the elbow." John married Lillie T. McCarty ( ? - ? ).
Son Abraham Lenning Youngken ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with Eva Emaline Overholtzer (Nov. 26, 1873- ? ). The couple lived in Easton and at one point moved to Philadelphia. Three known offspring were Harold Henry Nicholas Youngken and Gladys Dorothy Youngken. They are named in the book Some account of Jacob Oberholtzer, who settled, about 1719, in Franconia township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania
Daughter Emma Jane Youngken ( ? - ? ) married West Faben ( ? - ? ). They planted themselves in Bucksville, Bucks County and bore one daughter, Edith May Faben.
~ Son Abraham Youngken ~
Son Abraham Youngken (1833-1857) was born on March 28, 1833 in Bucks County.
In 1855, he entered into marriage with Mary Catherine Frankenfield (1832-1917), daughter of Henry and Anna (Datesman) Frankenfield.
Sadly, their marriage was brief and produced one son, Abraham Frankenfield Youngken.
When he was 24 years of age, he died in Bucks County on Nov. 13, 1856 or 1857. Burial took place in St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Ferndale, Bucks County.
Mary Catherine married a second time, on Sept. 23, 1860, to Aaron Ziegenfuss (1830-1902). The Ziegenfusses bore five more offspring of their own -- Ellamanda Ziegenfuss, Anna Ziegenfuss, Mahlon Ziegenfuss, Henry Ziegenfuss and Harvey Ziegenfuss.
She endured as a two-time widow and passed away at the age of 85 on Nov. 15, 1917. Burial was in Durham Cemetery in Bucks County.
Mary and Abraham are mentioned in a section about the Frankenfield family in the 1905 book A Genealogical and Personal History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Vol. III, authored by William W.H. Davis.
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| Abraham F. Youngken's 1858 baptismal certificate in German. In English: "The married man Abraham Youngken and his wife Maria Catharina a born Frankenfield has a son been born on the 31st day of March in the year of our Lord 1858. This son was born in Haycock Township in Bucks County in the State of Pennsylvania in North America, he was christianed and received the name Abraham on the 20th day of June in the year of our Lord 1858 from Mr. W.B. Kemmerer. Christianing witnesses: the mother of the child." Courtesy Edna (Youngkin) Swartz and Donna (Younkin) Logan |
Son Abraham Frankenfield Youngken (1858-1934) -- also spelled "Younghen" -- was born on March 31, 1858 in Haycock Township, Bucks County. In June of that year, he was baptized by Rev. W.B. Kemmerer, with the parents receiving the traditional "taufschein," a certificate of baptism, written in German. Abraham was twice-wed. His first bride, on Nov. 2, 1878, was Mary Ellen Steeley (1857-1885). The wedding was announced in the Bucks County Intelligencer. Their trio of children were Mary Estella Youngkin, Oscar William Youngken and Christian Steely Youngkin. The eldest two children both died in September 1881, five days apart, with their tender remains lowered into repose in St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church Cemetery in Nockamixon. Sadly, Mary Ellen died in 1885 at the age of only 20. Abraham's second spouse, whom he married on June 12, 1886, was Ellemanda Bougher (1865-1928). They bore two children of their own -- Horace Youngken and Alvin F. Youngkin. The Youngkens were longtime farmers. Their residence was located along Hellertown Road in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, PA. Burdened with senility, Abraham died at the age of 75, on Feb. 18, 1934. Son Christian, of Bethehem, PA, provided details for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. His remains sleep for the ages in Nockamixon Union Cemetery in Ferndale.
- Grandson Christian Steely Youngkin (1883-1969) was born on May 25, 1883. On Christmas Eve 1904, at the home of the bride, he wed Minnie Georgia Serfass (1881-1972). Presiding was Rev. Sandt of the Lutheran Church of Freemansburg. They later told a newspaper reported that "For their wedding trip ... they traveled by horse drawn sleigh to the home of Mr. Youngken's father, Abraham Youngken, in Bucks Co. The couple recalled that it was so cold that the clocks stopped running and they were snowbound for several days." Christian earned a living over the years as a farmer and milkman, employed by Norbeth Dairy, with a residence along Hawthorne Road in Bethlehem, PA, and a membership in the Betheny United Church of Christ. He retired in 1950. Their address circa 1960 was 732 Hawthorne Road. At their 56th wedding anniversary, they were pictured in the local newspaper. He died at the age of 85, in Northampton County, on April 11, 1969. Burial was in Belfast Union Cemetery in the county. five known children were Georgia Herrity, Mary Marguerite Younken, Alvin W.S. Youngkin, Philip F. Youngken and Henry C. Youngken.
- Grandson Horace Youngkin (1887-1972) was born on April 12, 1887. He entered into marriage with Anna E. Bean (1887-1942). The pair's three known children were Evelyn Pearl Youngken, Anna Kathryn Youngkin and Walter Bean Youngkin. Sadness cascaded over the family when Anna passed away in 1942. Death carried him away at the age of 84 on March 13, 1972. The remains sleep for all time in Nickamixon Union Cemetery.
- Grandson Alvin F. Youngkin (1893-1963) was born on April 11, 1893. He was joined in wedlock with Alice Grace Weirbach (1894-1947). Alvin labored as a farmer and was employed by Bethlehem Fabricators. Together, they bore a family of four known individuals -- Clarence Edward Youngkin, Harold Abraham Youngkin, Ralph Louis Youngkin and Edna Swartz. Alice passed away in 1947 at the age of about 51. The angel of death cleaved him away on Sept. 20, 1963. The remains were lowered into the soil of Durham Cemetery in Bucks County.
~ Son Herman Younkin ~
Son Herman Younkin (1834- ? ) was born in 1834.
Nothing more is known.
~ Son Jesse Younkin ~
Son Jesse Younkin ( ? - ? ) was born in (?).
He is said to have gone west.
He was still living as of 1899.
~ Son Michael Youngkin ~
Son Michael Youngkin ( ? - ? ) was born on (?).
He lived in Nockamixon in 1907 and was named in the Allentown newspaper obituary of his sister Julia Kohl.
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Copyright © 2023-2024 Mark A. Miner |
Research for this page conducted by Della Shafer and the late Donna (Younkin) Logan |