Miami Union

October 30, 1875 

YOUNG, JOSEPH G. ESQ. - Death of J. G. Young, Esq. - In the death of Joseph G. Young, who died suddenly last Saturday evening, Piqua has lost one of its most prominent, popular, and useful citizens.  Mr. Young came to Piqua with his father's family, when a boy, some fifty years ago.  He was the second son of Gen. Robert Young.  He studied law with his father, and was admitted to the bar, but inclining more to business than to the practice of the profession, he early abandoned the law for other business pursuits.  With other members of the family he was many years engaged in the mercantile business, and when the law authorizing the late State Banking system in this State was enacted, he, with Mr. William Scott and a number of others, organized the Piqua Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, he becoming its cashier.  In this position he developed financial talent of a high order, and very soon acquired a wide-spread reputation amongst the bankers and business men of this and other States.  This situation he occupied for about twenty years, and when the National Banking law was passed, and his Bank was converted into the Piqua National Bank, he was continued in the same position, and remained in it until his sudden and unexpected death.  In knowledge of Banking and financial matters,, generally, Mr. Young had, probably few equals, and no superiors in Ohio.  He was also prominent in all the public enterprises of the young city of which he was a resident, and his death creates a void there which will not soon be filled.  We do not know exactly what Mr. Young's age was, but think it was somewhere between 65 and 68 years.  He was a large man, of strong constitution, and full habits, and died, as such men often do, of apoplexy.  His funeral, which took place Tuesday afternoon, was probably more largely attended than any ever before in that city--there being many in attendance from Cincinnati, Dayton, Urbana and other distant places, with some twelve or fifteen carriage loads from Troy.  Piqua has lost no citizen hitherto, whose death created a greater sensation, or is more generally regretted.

Piqua Correspondence

Piqua, October 29, 1875 - Seldom has this city worn the appearance of gloom that was visible on Tuesday afternoon, when the mortal remains of Joseph G. Young were committed to their last resting place.  The street near the residence was blocked for near a square with hundreds of people, many of whom seized the opportunity to gaze upon the face of the dead.  Every business house in the city was closed; the tribute of our merchants and manufacturers to one who has ever been their steadfast friend.  After an eloquent sermon from Rev. Dr. Stafford, of Zanesville, the funeral cortege, headed by Mayor Buchanan and the City Council and officials, left the house and proceeded to Forest Hill Cemetery, where the remains were committed to the earth, and the long procession extending over a mile, slowly returned to the city.