DOD given as 1/2/1889

Joseph Young, son of Christian and Catherine Young, grandfather of Edward Mark Young, was born in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Dec. 31, 1812, and was one of a family of thirteen children eight sons and five daughters. In his early youth he accompanied his parents on their removal to Milford Township. Bucks County, and there leaned the trade of dying and weaving with his father, but it did not prove a congenial occupation to him and when he was a youth of fifteen, he went to Bethlehem where he learned the blacksmith trade with Mr. Warner. On the completion of his term of apprenticeship, he removed to Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in blacksmithing until 1832. He then took up his abode in Allentown, and entered the employment of Joseph Kramer, a coach-maker doing business on Seventh Street. Subsequently he was employed successively by Major William Fry and Stephen Barber and on leaving the latter service he entered into partnership with Reuben Guth and Augustus L. Ruhe in the printing and book business. They were the publishers of the Lecha Patriot. Finally he retired from the firm and joined his former employer, Stephen Barber in the establishment of a hardware store, which was one of the first business enterprises in Allentown. It developed with the growth of the city, becoming a large and profitable concern. Mr. Barber erected a building at No 725 Hamilton Street, into which the hardware stock was moved. Later the store was established at No 740 Hamilton Street, where the business is carried on at the present time. Various changes occurred in the firm from time to time. The senior partner, Stephen Barber, died in 1860. Shortly before his death a new partnership was formed between Mark S. Young. Joseph Young. Reuben P. Steckel and Edward B. Young, under the firm name of M. S. Young & Company. This title for the firm has continued to the present time, though a number of changes have taken place.

Joseph Young, was prominent and influential in public affairs in Allentown, and in 1838, became a charter member of the Humane Fire Company. He took part in the first firemen's parade in Allentown, August 26, 1843, with Mayor Strauss as chief marshal. A cold-water fight in the business center of the city ended the day's sport. Hon. R. E. Wright, R. Sfrausss and Joseph R. Newhard were also members of the company. In 1841,42-43-44, Joseph Young was a member of the town council, Charles Seip and Peter Newhard being the burgesses. During the last two yeas of his incumbency he was chairman of the board. His Political support was given to the Whig Party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the New Republican Party. He gave his time and means to its advancement. In 1856, he was a delegate to the Republican national convention which nominated John C. Fremont as its first candidate for the presidency, and in 1860 was again a delegate, and in the latter championship of Abraham Lincoln. His life was ever actuated by honorable principles and noble purposes. In his youth he was confirmed in the Reformed Church and upon his removal to Allentown, placed his membership in Zion's Reformed Church, of which he became an active and leading member, serving as deacon and as superintendent of the Sunday school. He labored earnestly for the advancement of the cause and the extension of its influence until failing health necessitated hi retirement from church work as well as other activities of life..

In 1834. Joseph Young was married to Hannah Blumer. a daughter of Henry Bluiner, and a granddaughter of Rev. Abraham Blumer, who was pastor of Zion Reformed Church, Allentown during the Revolutionary War.