BIO: Hiram YOUNG, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 58 HIRAM YOUNG. The Youngs’ family history in this country dates as far back as 1735 and 1740. About that time Hiram Young’s great-grandfather, Alexander Shaeffer, landed in America, and located on the mountains, which then formed a part of Lancaster, but which are now included within the limits of Lebanon County. A short time after his arrival here he purchased about 1,200 acres of land in the valley, and founded what is now known as Shaeffertown. His wife, Anna E. Engle, bore him six children. One of them, Henry Shaeffer, was a captain in the army of the Revolution; was afterward associate judge of the court at Harrisburg, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1805, was an acting justice of the peace. His daughter, Maria, married Frederick Oberlin, and their daughter, Sarah, became the wife of Samuel Young, of Lancaster County. Two sons and one daughter were the fruit of this marriage, among whom was Hiram Young, the subject of this sketch. Hiram Young was born in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, May 14, 1830. Some time after this event his parents moved to Lancaster County, where they remained a few years. His father having died in Lancaster County, his mother afterward returned to her parents in Schaefferstown. Up to his fifteenth year Mr. Young attended the public schools of that place, and being studiously inclined, mastered the different branches then taught. About this time he went to Lancaster and served four years with Judge Emanuel Shaeffer as an apprentice to the saddler’s trade. In the month of February, 1850, he obtained a position in John Gish’s book store, and remained with him until he secured a more lucrative one in the large establishment of Judd & Murray, with whom he acted as employe for several years. After leaving Judd & Murray he entered the Lancaster High School with a view of preparing himself for a regular collegiate course, but after some time, finding his means limited and difficulties in the way, abandoned the undertaking, and returned to the book business. In this he obtained employment in the publishing house of Uriah Hunt & Son, of Philadelphia, and afterward with Lippincott, Grambo & Co, now J. B. Lippincott & Co. After several years’ experience in Philadelphia he returned to Lancaster City, and purchased a small book store, entering into partnership with John Shaeffer. About two years afterward a consolidation was made with the firm of Murray & Stokes, under the firm name of Murray, Young & Co., Mr. Stokes retiring. After several years in the book business in Lancaster, Mr. Young retired, and in the year 1860 came to York, and purchased the book store of B. Franklin Spangler, now deceased, and founded the firm of Pierce & Young. In 1862, after largely increasing the business, he sold out his interest to Mr. Pierce, and opened another store on West Market Street, and in 1865 removed to the building No. 10, East Market Street, now occupied by him for the publication of the Evening Dispatch, the Weekly Dispatch, and the True Democrat. June 7, 1864, the first number of the True Democrat, now Weekly Dispatch, was issued by him, it being a four-page, eight-column paper, advocating the Union cause and Republican principles, and taking a prominent part in furthering the local interests of the town and county. The True Democrat rapidly became one of the leading weekly papers of the county, and soon obtained a large circulation. Neither labor nor expense was spared by Mr. Young to make his paper acceptable in all families without distinction of party. May 29, 1876, the first number of the Evening Dispatch was issued. A strong assistant editorial and reportorial force was employed, and the news of the day, both local and telegraphic, was carefully gathered together and published. This evening paper met with a hearty welcome and liberal patronage from the public, and has always been and now is one of the most widely read dailies in York County. In his position as publisher of these two papers, Mr. Young took a lively interest, and devoted his best energies and personal attention to the details of the business. In this his former experience in the book publishing business was a most valuable aid in his work. Mr. Young has always taken an active part in the politics of the county, and with pen and voice labored for the Union cause and the triumph of Republican principles. In 1881 he was prominently named as candidate for the office of State treasurer, and in this received the endorsement of leading papers of the commonwealth. He has many warm friends, but like others occupying similar positions, some enemies. Where he is best known he is recognized as a stanch and sincere friend, and as such deserves the support not only of his own party but the public generally. Mr. Young was married September 3, 1857, to Miss Mary E. Shriener, of Columbia, Lancaster County. Five sons were born to them, one of whom died in infancy; Edward, Charles, William and John, the survivors, all learned the printing business, and have been a great assistance to their father in the conduct of his large and extensive newspaper business. He has had an active business life, a large portion of which has been spent as a bookseller and publisher, and in his present editorial position he takes pride in advancing measures for the public good, both for his immediate constituency and the country at large. He now has the satisfaction of having two well-established and successful newspapers, with extended and growing influence, and can look back upon a most successful business experience, and forward to still greater triumph in the future.