Mary Fangboner Young 1807-1902

FANGBONER, YOUNG, LIGHTFOOT, ARMSTRONG, HALSTEAD, HUFFMAN, ALEXANDER

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 3/4/2013 at 10:01:05

MARY FANGBONER YOUNG.

Dies at the Advanced Age of 95
years, 6 months and 5 days
at the old home.

OBITUARY SKETCH.

Nearly ninety-six years ago there was rejoicing in the home of Abraham and Mary Fangboner, two worthy citizens of Warren County, New Jersey, over the birth of a daughter. The little stranger arrived May 28, 1807, and was christened Mary. Coming of a parentage of sturdy, thrifty Germans, their industrious habits were early instilled in the mind and habits of Mary, and fitted her for the life she was to live in the west. When about twenty years of age she was united in marriage with Benjamin Young, a farmer of New Jersey, and together they settled on a farm and card for the children who were sent to bless their home.

1842 they moved from New Jersey to Indiana county, Pa., and in the spring of '43 traveled westward to Iowa. The family then consisted of Peter, Caroline, Comager, Benjamin, Abraham, Mariah and Almira. They came up the Des Moines river in a keel boat which was run by Meeks between Keokuk and Bonaparte. May 10, 1843, they landed in Farmington. Iowa was then a territory and Mr. and Mrs. Young took up a claim of eighty acres of government land from James K. Polk. This place was a few miles from Farmington and here a house was built and a home established. Here Mrs. Young lived the rest of her life, and died in the same old home Dec. 3, 1902. Four more children, Isaac, Maggie, Mary and Ella, were born to them in their Iowa home. Hard work and happy homes was the rule in those days and Mrs. Young, like many another woman, worked and spun, sewed and cooked for her family, and with it all was interwoven a mother's tenderest love that endeared her to her family and gave to the world eleven respected citizens whose guiding star was a mother's influence.

Mr. Young died in 1887, and five children , Mrs. Mariah Lightfoot, Abraham, Peter, who was a preacher in Indiana, Mrs. Maggie Armstrong, and Mrs. Caroline Halstead preceeded [sic] her to the better land. Those who live to mourn the loss of mother are Mrs. Mary Huffman of Ohio, Mrs. Almira Alexander of Bonaparte, Isaac, of Auburn, Washington, Benjamin of Carthage, Mo., and Comager of Bonaparte.

At the time of her death Mrs. Young was 95 years, 6 months and 5 days old. She had lived to see her children grandparents of young men and women. Her mind was clear to the last. Her illness was short and her death, was but the debt of nature - her life had run its course.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA