Alanson Youngs
2nd great-grandfather of Dorotha Piechocki
Private Co. E
25th MI Infantry
Dates of Service: 11 Aug 1862 - 18 Jul 1865
Alanson Youngs was born June 22, 1830 in Marion, Wayne Co., New York, one of a family of twelve siblings. In 1854, he bought a plot of land in Berlin Twp., Ionia Co., Michigan, and moved there to begin farming. In 1857, he married Mary Jane Austin, a former neighbor in NY, whose father Noah Austin, a veteran of the War of 1812, had moved westward to Indiana.
In August of 1862, at age 33, Alanson enlisted in Co. E, of the 25th Michigan Infantry, signing for a period of 3 years. (His brother Peter, serving with the 16th Michigan, had been captured by Confederates and had just been paroled.) Leaving behind his wife and two small daughters, Alanson served with the Army of Ohio until August of 1863. Most of his service time was spent chasing Gen. John Hunt Morgan and his "Raiders" through Kentucky. The "Raiders" were a cavalry regiment of 4,000 men that would attack towns and Union encampments throughout Kentucky and Ohio. They were considered guerrillas and were so hated and feared that there was a reward offered for Morgan’s capture -- dead or alive.
On July 4th, 1863, Alanson’s Company E, along with Companies D, F, I, and K, were attacked by Morgan’s Raiders at Green River Bridge, Tebb’s Bend, Kentucky. The 4,000 Confederate troops
were crossing the Ohio River on the second day of their "Great Confederate Raid" north. Alanson's regiment commanded by Col. Johnson was defending the bridge against such an attack.
When asked to surrender, Col. Johnson told Morgan that the 4th of July would not be a good day for surrendering and he would rather not. Morgan ordered a frontal attack against the
fortified position. After a 30-minute fight, the Rebs had lost 36 killed and 45 wounded, including one colonel, a major and a captain. The Union lost 9 dead and 26 wounded.
After seeing the result of the first assault, Morgan called off the attack and moved his troops downriver to cross at another location, leaving his wounded to be taken prisoner.
A few months later, Alanson caught "lung fever" (probably pneumonia) and, although he did not die of the illness like thousands of others (more soldiers died from disease than bullets during the war), he spent almost a year in army hospitals in Kentucky and Indiana and never fully recovered.
After the War, Alanson returned to farming in
Saranac. He fathered six more children, four of whom lived to adulthood. He was a proud member of the Hiel P. Clark Post 153 GAR, wearing his badge every time he sat for a photograph.
Alanson was awarded an invalid pension for partial disability in 1879…
…and was enumerated on the 1890 Veterans Schedule from Boston Twp., Ionia, Michigan.
In 1892 he applied for an increase stating he was "totally unable to earn a support by reason of disease of eyes and sciatica and disease of kidneys." His cousin William
Sible, who had served with him in the 25th Michigan, testified.
He outlived all of his siblings and died in 1911 just a week before his 81st birthday, leaving seventeen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
From: 'The Advertiser' , Saranac, Michigan, Thursday, June 22, 1911, Vol. 19, Issue 12:
"OBITUARY -- Alanson Youngs
Alanson Youngs was born in Wayne county, New York, June 22nd, 1830. Departed this life June 11th, 1911, lacking eleven days of being 81 years of age.He was the last one living of a family of twelve children.
He came to Michigan in 1855. In 1857 he was married to Mary J. Austin, of Lima, Ind., coming immediately to their home in Berlin township, being one of the pioneers of Ionia county. To this union eight children were born, four of whom died in early childhood. Enlisting in the war of the Rebellion in 1862 he served till the close of the war. In 1886 he moved to Saranac, where he has since resided.
He united with the Baptist church in 1856. He was an honest and upright man and a kind friend to everyone, a patient sufferer for many months and his life's work being finished was ready and anxious to be at rest. He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, one son and three daughters, Ralph Youngs and Mrs. Frank Sissem, of Saranac, Mrs. Chas. Kyser and Mrs. Walter Trumbull, of South Boston, also 17 grand children and 8 great grand children, besides a host of other relatives and friends.
A good man gone to his reward, his children rise up and call him blessed.
His life's work is finished,
His life just begun;
Just his life of probation
In this world, that is done.
A Grand Soldier's reunion
With friends gone before
Father, mother, sister, brothers
And children to part nevermore.
Dear father we will miss you
Thought we know you're at rest
And he knoweth best.
The funeral was held at the M. E. church in Saranac, Wednesday afternoon, June 14. The services were conducted by Rev. Paul, assisted by Rev. George. The choir consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Hunt, Miss Mina Curtiss and F. G. Wilson, with Mrs. R. Hay organist. Six of his grandsons acted as bearers, Harold Sissem, Royal, Howard, Carl, Edward, and Ralph Kyser.
The G.A.R. attended in a body and conducted the services at the grave. The great profusion of flowers attested the respect and esteem in which he was held.
Those from away who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Clark Youngs and Mrs. Carrie Hatch, of Grand Rapids; John Youngs, of Edmore; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bennett, and Mr. and Mrs. Edson Arnold, of Ionia, and Mrs. Miles Monks, of near Ada. Burial in Saranac cemetery."
ADDITIONAL SOURCES: wikipedia; nps.gov; fold3; familysearch.org
GAR Membership: Hiel P. Clark Post 153, Saranac, MI
GRAVESITE: Saranac Cemetery, Saranac, Ionia Co., MI
Written by Jerry and Dorotha Simmons Piechocki, 13 February 2001
Updated May 2020