Capt. Charles T. Young
Capt. Charles T. Young, past commander of the G. A. R. Post at Toronto, O., and one of the prominent citizens of this section of Jefferson County, was directly or indirectly connected with the sewer pipe business for a period covering thirty-four years. He was born on a farm in Jefferson County, O., near New Alexandria August 28, 1843, and is a son of Charles R. and Annie (Dorsey) Young. The parents and a part of the family were born and reared in Maryland.
Charles T. Young was reared on the home farm and attended the country schools. Apparently his life stretched out before him along quiet, agricultural lines and his boyish plans were made in anticipation of the rewards coming from the industrious tilling of the soil. Then came the call to arms when the dissolution of the Union was threatened, and one of the first to respond and to urge his acquaintances to do the same, was Cliarles T. Young. After enlisting at Steubenville, O., he recruited a portion of a company, these men being from Steubeuville, Brilliant and New Alexandria, and they were joined by others equally loyal and patriotic from Cadiz, Columbus and Marion, and at Camp Todd they were formed into Company C, 5th Independent Battalion of Cavalry, Mr. Young being made first sergeant of the organization. The period of enlistment was for six months, the general idea then prevailing being that no soldiery would be needed for a longer time than that. This battalion consisting of four companies went into service in Fleming County, Ky., and by the time their term had expired it was recognized that the great struggle between the opposing sections would be a long one, and the battalion reenlisted. A furlough of thirty days was given the men and this furlough Mr. Young spent in Jefferson County recruiting. This company was then reunited at Camp Chase and became a part of the 13th O. Vol. Cav., in which Sergeant Young was commissioned second lieutenant. In 1864 he was made first lieutenant and in the fall of 1865 he was commissioned captain aud served from April, 1864, under Div. Com. Gregg, in the Army of the Potomac, the higher officers being Brig.-Gen. Smith and General Sheridan.
Early in April, 1864, the company with which Captain Young was identified, started for Washington, D. C, by way of Pittsburgh and Baltimore. After twenty-four hours in Washington it entered into camp on Arlington Heights, above the Potomac River and remained there one week and then marched down to Alexandria, Va., aud took a steamer to Belle Plaine Landing, sometimes called Ecqua Creek. From there the company was marched twenty miles to Fredericksburg, remained over night and then was ordered back to Belle Plaine Landing. On the next day orders came to proceed to Port Royal, on the Rappahannock River, where the company was mounted. About a week later this company was marched ten miles and joined the cavalry corps and in the final reorganization this company became a part of the 3rd Brig., and 2nd Div. Cav. Corps.
On May 4, 1864, the river was crossed and they entered into the battle of the Wilderness that evening, being among the first troops to open the fight. Captain Young's company took part in the week-long battle, later participated in the fight at Spottsylvania Court House and was continuously engaged until after the battle of Cold Harbor. He was in the battles at Hanover Court House, North Anna aud South Anna Rivers aud Charles City Court House. The cavalry then accompanied the infantry as a defense until near Richmond and in the battle there the cavalry suffered a loss of 1,500 brave men. A fight was also precipitated at White House Landing, this being one of the few bloodless battles in which Captain Young took part. After that battle his command crossed the James River and went on to Petersburg and were there at the time of the explosion, July 30, 1864. He was wounded three times and his own company lost twenty-three men and 289 men of the regiment were lost. In his own company one prisoner was taken, twelve men were wounded and ten were killed. Captain Young was confined in a hospilal at Portsmouth Grove, R. I., for two months and for two months was on David Island, N. Y., in the East River. On November 1, 1804, he rejoined his command at Petersburg. He had been captain of his company before the accident and when he returned resumed command. The regiment spent the winter in Virginia and was mustered out of the service August 11, 1865, but before that time had taken part in a number of other very serious engagements. These included Weldon Railroad, Pilgrim Farm, Poplar Grove Church, Dinwiddle Court House, Hatcher's Run and Stony Creek. There was then a short respite but later there were engagements at Notaway, Amelia Court House, Jettlersville, Sailor's Creek, Farmsville and Appomattox Court House. After the surrender of General Lee, Captain Young and his command returned to Petersburg and two weeks later, as Johnston had not yet surrendered, they were ordered to reenforce General Sherman. After a march of 100 miles and when within twenty miles of the Union forces, they learned of the surrender of Johnston and then return was made to Petersburg. After Sherman's forces had passed on to Washington, the cavalry was still retained at Petersburg. At that time, Captain Young was acting major and had command of four companies at Powhatan Court House as there were many disturbances between the whites and blacks. He established a refugee camp there and remained in charge until the sixth of the following August, when he was ordered home and was mustered out at City Point, Va. For bravery, patriotism, faithfulness and capacity, Captain Young's record is one that should inspire pride in all his kindred and admiration in his fellow citizens.
After his military service was over he returned to the farm and followed agricultural pursuits from 1866 until October, 1873, when he moved to Toronto and for one year was in the drug business. After selling out his interest in that line, in 1874 he became connected with the sewer pipe industry at the Francy works and from that date until 1908 gave almost his entire attention to that great industry, one of the most important ones in the state. After some time with the Francy people, he went into partnership with Canada Kling and they owned the Jefferson or the Toronto Fire Clay Manufacturing plant and later owned the Markle works under the name of the Canada Kling Company, the members of which were: Captain Young, Canada Kling and J. M. McClave. A large business was done until 1901, when the plant was sold to the American Sewer Pipe Company.
Captain Young was married (first) to Hannah Eliza Stokes, and seven children were born to them: Franklin, Edwin M., Charles William. John W., Henry S., Jessie, wife of W. S. Smith, and Hattie M., wife of John Reece. All survive except the eldest who died aged three years. On January 8, 1889, he married (second) Mary J. Kerr. They have no children.
Captain Young is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. In the former fraternity he is a member of Steubenville Lodge No. 45, F. & A. M.; Union Chapter, No. 15; and Steubenville Commandery, No. 11. He has taken all the degrees of Odd Fellowship and served as colonel of the 3rd Ohio Patriotic Militant Corps. For over thirty years he has been an elder in the First Presbyterian church at Toronto.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910