Samuel L. Young, Lawyer, was born in Rockland. township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, September 24th, 1822. He is a son of Daniel Young, who was engaged in the iron business as manager of the works of General Daniel Udree. He was at one period Prothonotary of Berks county, and in 1851 was elected Associate Judge and served in that position for five years. His son, Samuel L., was educated at Bolmar's celebrated academy in West Chester, Pennsylvania. After leaving school he commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. William Strong, recently of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and now of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was admitted to practice at the bar in Reading in the year 1847, and opened an office in that city, where he has continued ever since, having an excellent patronage, and is deemed an eminently safe, reliable, trustworthy and conscientious counselor; he stands in the front rank of his profession. He was appointed, in 1855, a Commissioner of the Circuit Court of the United States by Judge Grier. At present he is the counsel of the Berks County Railroad Company. He commenced early to take an interest in political matters, and was an earnest advocate of Democratic doctrines. In 1858, he took a prominent part in the Congressional contest between J. Glancy Jones and Major John Schwartz. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he became a thorough Republican in sentiment, and volunteered his services in the cause. He was appointed Chief of Staff to Major-General William H. Keim, and remained with him in active service until the command was relieved at Harper's Ferry by General Patterson. When General Lee first invaded Pennsylvania he raised a company of cavalry for State service, of which he took and retained command until after the battle of Antietam, when they returned home. Again, in 1863, he entered the service as chief of a reconnoitering party of cavalry, and performed signal and valuable services. Not only is he an able attorney and a devoted student in legal matters, but he takes a deep interest in mineralogy and geology, and has read much on these kindred subjects. He has collected many fine specimens in our own country, while his museum is not wanting in many choice varieties of ores, fossils, etc., from England, Germany, Russia, etc. In connection with this, he has commenced to collect Indian curiosities, and has a valuable cabinet of these in his possession. He is a good German and French scholar, and a great admirer of the first Napoleon. He has a fine library filled with the most valuable and substantial works by English, French and German authors, in the perusal of which he takes special delight. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, and is promini3nt in its various interests and effectiveness in promoting the welfare and spiritual blessing of its members. He is a man universally respected--a most genial gentleman in every respect. He was married, first, in January, 1852, to, Louisa E. Bechtel, whose first and only son is now studying law with his father; and again in June, 1864. to Annie E. Teed, of Reading, who is now the mother of six children.
Source: The Biographical Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the Nineteenth Century. Philadelphia: Galaxy Publishing Co., 1874, pp. 209.
Contributed by: Nancy.