Obituary of Robert Young

Robert Young, one of the old residents of this county, died at his home at 68 Third Street, in the arcade addition, at 4:45 this morning. The deceased has been in poor health since a year ago last February, at which time he contracted the grippe, and from which he never fully recovered. He had been under the constant care of the doctors since last August, the grippe having turned into a complication of diseases, which, owing to his advanced age, he was unable to throw off. Palsey is given as the direct cause of death.
Mr. Young was born in Union County, Pennsylvania September 5, 1833 and was the son of Robert and Sarah Young. When but 6 years old, his father and mother and the other members of his family moved to Illinois and made their first home near Cedarville, on what was known as the James H. Adams farm. This was in 1839. The family remained on this farm until the early 1850's, and then moved to a farm near Dakota Township. Here they remained until 1867 when they returned to the neighborhood of Cedarville. In the 1870's the family moved to Rock Run Township, where they remained until 1895 when Mr. Young moved to Freeport. He purchased a home at 68 Third Street and has resided there since.
In 1863 he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Robey, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Robey, near McConnell. Miss Robey was born in this county, her parents having come here in 1834. The forefather of the deceased came to this country before the war of the revolution, and were of Scotch descent and were staunch sympathizers with the colonists. Mr. Young was well known among the older settlers of the county, and while he had lived in the city but a little over 10 years he has made a great many friends. He was honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow man, and enjoyed the esteem and respect of all who knew him.
The part he played in the early history of this county is very interesting. When his parents first came to this county they lived in a little school house near Cedarville until the little log cabin was constructed. In his boyhood days he hauled grain with an ox team to Chicago. His mother was a charter member of the first Presbyterian church that was built in this city, the deceased having helped to haul the lumber for the same. He was always interested in the good and welfare of the community, and expressed his interest by his generosity in helping build or found various churches in Stephenson County. His life, in fact, was given to others. He was greatly devoted to his wife, and his death leaves a gap never to heal in this world. Her attention and care during his long illness can best express her constancy. She was ever trying to alleviate the pain and relieve the suffering. He was a father that will be greatly missed.
He was a father that will be greatly missed, always looking to and working for the best interests of his children, to whom he was greatly devoted.
He was resigned to his death. Although he had looked forward to again being able to be around, he stated that while he expected to get better, he was resigned to die if it was the Lord's will.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Louisa Young; a son, William Young of this city, and three daughters, Mrs. Ardell Harrison of Winslow, and the Misses Margaret J. and Sarah E. Young, both of whom live at home. The former is a clerk at the Jourdan store, and the latter is a school teacher. A brother, J.B. Young, lives at Rock City; a sister, Mrs. Margaret Graham, lives in this city, and another sister, Mrs. Jane Bell, makes her home at the E.J. Bell home in Lancaster Township. Funeral services will be held at the home. Interment will be in the Cedarville Cemetery. Rev. Harry Collins will conduct the services. J. W. Sanderson will have charge of the funeral arrangements.
From a Freeport, Illinois newspaper, 7 May, 1907.
Submitted by: Randy Campbell 17 Jan 2000