BIOS: John F. YOUNKIN, Upper Turkeyfoot Twp., Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 314-315.

  John F. Younkin,* Town Auditor of Upper Turkey Foot, Somerset County, 
Pa., was born in this township, July 18, 1856, son of Herman and Susan 
(Faidley) Younkin.  Jacob Younkin, his great-grandfather, emigrated 
from Germany, settling in Loudoun County, Virginia, and later came to 
Pennsylvania.  He married Hannah Nicolo, a resident of Virginia, and 
had a large family.  The grandfather was John J. Younkin, a native of 
Virginia, who came with his parents to Somerset County when a young man 
and engaged in farming.  He married Polly Hartzell, a representative of 
a German family.  Her father, John Hartzell, served in the American 
army all through the Revolutionary War.  John J. and Polly (Hartzell) 
Younkin were the parents of nine children.
  Herman Younkin, the father, was born in Upper Turkey Foot in 1821.  
He was a prosperous farmer, and the farm upon which his son John F. now 
resides, was purchased by him in 1872 of Jacob McMillen.  He was 
prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, and 
officiated as a local preacher.  He died September 21, 1885.  He is 
survived by his wife, formerly Susan Faidley, of Middle Creek township, 
and four of their ten children, the record of the family being as 
follows: Joanna, who married Ephraim Miner, and died in 1874, leaving 
two children; Wesley, who died at the age of twelve years; Freeman, who 
was accidentally killed in 1889; Mary Ann, who died at the age of 
nineteen years; Irving, who died in 1895; John F., the subject of this 
sketch; Sara Jane, who married John Calflush, and resides in Lower 
Turkey Foot; Curtin, who died at the age of sixteen; Ellen, who is 
residing with her mother at Paddytown; and Milton Bruce Younkin, also 
of Paddytown.
  John F. Younkin was educated in the public schools.  He was reared to 
farm life, and he assisted in carrying on the home farm until twenty-
eight years old.  He then bought his father's farm in Paddytown, 
containing two hundred and forty-seven acres, and is now engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising.
  In 1878 Mr. Younkin was united in marriage with Elizabeth McNair, 
daughter of Samuel and Eleanor (McNair) McNair, of Addison.  She is of 
Irish origin, the immigrant ancestor of the McNair family in 
Pennsylvania having arrived in this country at an early date.  Her 
grandfather, Samuel McNair, first married Phoebe Round, and had three 
sons and two daughters.  Samuel McNair, second, Mrs. Younkin's father, 
married a daughter of Andrew McNair, and had six daughters.  Mr. and 
Mrs. Younkin have six children; namely, Albert A., William E., Sarah 
E., Mary E., Susan E., and Mentie A. Younkin.
  Public affairs have absorbed a considerable of Mr. Younkin's time.  
He has rendered efficient services to the township as School Director 
two terms, Supervisor three terms, and is now attending to the duties 
of Town Auditor.  In politics he is a Republican.  He belongs to 
Confluence Council, No. 1294, Royal Arcanum.  He is a member and a 
trustee of Mount Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church at Paddytown.