William Lee Young Sr. ¹⁵¹

   Cause of his death was Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease / Senility.

  General Notes:

The following commentary is for research purposes for determining William Lee Young's parents:
William Lee Young Sr's parents have not been definitively determined, however, the 1900 and 1910 census records indicate them to be William and Mary Young. The census record birth date for William is not consistent with Draft Card birth dates for William Lee Young (see below), however, it is the only William Young in the Draft record who is born in Lynchburg (as the draft card record indicates below) and is living in Danville near Grace DeMott prior to his marriage) : The 1910 Federal Census for Danville (Independent City), Ward 2, Virginia, District 19, page 52A records William W. Young (20 - VA/Maryland/Texas) living with his parents William J. (52 - Maryland/Maryland/Maryland) and Mary M. Young (54 - Texas/VA/Texas) living at 763 Main Street. William J. is employed as a Clergyman for the Methodist Church. This listing is just a few pages over from Grace DeMott, future wife of William Lee Young. The 1900 Federal Census for Lynchburg, VA, District 80, page 35B records William W. Young (Jan 1890 - VA) with his parents William (Jan 1860 - Maryland/Maryland/Maryland) and Mary M. (Jan 1858 - VA/Maryland/Texas) Young. William and Mary have been married for 17 years and have had 4 children of whom 1 is still living.
The above family is not the correct family in that they can be found in the 1920 census living in Atlanta, Georgia. However, there is a 1910 Census record in Danville for a William Young, age 21, who is boarding in a home and is a lineman for the Telephone Co., however, he lists his place of birth as North Carolina. His Draft registration records indicate he was born in Lynchburg, VA ... see below.
The 1910 Census for Danville, VA, Ward 2, District 20, page 55B, dated April 15, 1910 records William Young (21 - NC/NC/NC) boarding at the home of John D. (45) and Martha J. (42) Enright at 240 Jefferson Street. William is employed as a telephone lineman. There are 13 boarders at this house. Listed next to William is Willie Yeatts (25 - NC/NC/NC), a telephone lineman ... perhaps that is why William's birth locations are North Carolina.

See general notes on his son, William, for 1920 & 1930 census facts.

See general notes on his mother, Fannie Grigg Young, for 1900 census facts.

The WWI Draft Registration Card for William Lee Young dated June 5, 1917 records his date of birth as April 14, 1887 in Lynchburg, VA. He is living with his wife and 2 children at 213 South Ridge Road in Danville, VA and is working in the Telephone Office of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company. His physical description is medium height and build with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. Brother-in-law Richard Anderson DeMott is living with the family.

The 1920 Federal Census for Danville Ward 2, Danville (Independent City), Virginia, District 33, page 93A records William L. (37 - VA/US/US) and Grace (29 - VA/VA/VA) Young with children William L. (8) and Weslie (sic) B. (6) renting at 117 Ridge Street. William Sr. works as a Wire Chief for the Telephone Company.

The 1930 Federal Census for Danville Ward 4, Danville (Independent City), Virginia, District 10, page 224A records William L. (42 - VA/VA/VA) and Grace (38 - VA/VA/VA) Young with children William (18) and Leslie (16) living at 337 Virginia Ave. William Sr. works as a Plant Wire Chief for the Telephone Office while William Jr. is a Substitute Clerk for the Telephone Office. William and Grace have been married for 18 years.

Family stories recall William and Grace living at 337 Virginia Ave., Danville, Va. in the 1930s through the 1950s.

The 1940 Federal Census for Danvile, Pittslyvania Co., Virginia, District 106-24A, page 359A, dated April 10, 1940 records William L. (52 - VA) and Grace D. (49 - VA) Young with son Leslie B. (27) living at 337 Virginia Ave. William has completed 2 years of high school, Grace has completed 1 year of college, and Leslie has completed 4 years of high school. William works as a Wire Chief for the Telephone Company earning $3,300 during the last 52 weeks while Leslie is a Laborer for the Telephone Company having earned $936 in the same time period.

The WWII Draft Registration Card (for men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897) for William Lee Young dated April 27, 1942 lists his date of birth as April 14, 1887 in Lynchburg, VA. He is living with his wife, Grace D. Young, at 337 Virginia Avenue, Danville, VA. He is working for C & P Telephone Co. and his physical description is 5' 6", 120 lbs with blue eyes, gray hair and light complexion.

The Bee (Danville, Virginia) January 8, 1970
William L. Young Sr. Graveside Rites Set
Graveside rites for William Lee Young Sr. will be conducted tommorow at 2 p.m. in Mountain View Cemetery.
Mr. Young, 82, died in a Newport News hospital yesterday after a decline in health of several years.
He was born in Lynchburg April 14, 1887, but had spent most of his life in Danville where he was a plant wire chief for C & P Telephone Co. He was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers Association of America and was a former member of Main Street United Methodist Church.
His wife, Mrs. Grace DeMott Young, died in 1965.
Surviving is one son, William Lee Young Jr. of Richmond.
The body is at Townes Funeral Home.

  Research Notes:

William Young
The 1900 Census records a William Young living with his uncle, Wesley T. Gregg: Morehead Township, Greensboro Ward 1, Guilford, North Carolina, District 52, page 125A, dated June 13, 1900 records William Young (Apr 1887 - VA/VA/VA) living with his widowed mother Fannie Young (June 1856 - VA/VA/VA) and sisters Lillian Young (Feb 1881 - VA/VA/VA) and India Young (June 1882 - VA/VA/VA) in the home of Fannie's brother, Wesley Gregg (Aug 1861 - VA/VA/VA) and his wife Cordelia (July 1871 - NC/NC/NC) and their daughters, Mary (Feb 1898 - NC) and Nellie (July 1899 - NC) at 516 Green Street. Wesley is a Lineman for the Telegraph Company.


NC Birth records:
Charles R Barber 30 Jun 1901 Guilford Wesley Turner Gregg
Katherine Eliz Gregg 30 Jun 1901 Guilford Wesley Turner Gregg
Frances C Gregg 30 Sep 1902 Guilford Wesley Turner Gregg
L W Mrs. Routh 30 Sep 1902 Guilford Wesley Turner

The 1910 Federal Census for possible children of Wesley T. Gregg: Winston Township, Ward 3, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, District 75 in a Children's Home records Catherine Gregg (8), Francis Gregg (7), and Joseph Gregg (4).

The 1910 Federal Census for Morehead Township, Greensboro, Ward 4, Guilford Co., North Carolina, District 111 records the widow Fannie B. Young (51 - VA/VA/VA) living with her daughter, India [Young] Burton (27 - VA/VA/VA) and her husband Ernest T. Burton (29 - NC/NC/NC). Fannie has had 4 children of whom 3 are still living.

The 1910 Federal Census for Oak Ridge Township, Guilford Co., North Carolina, District 127, page 36A, dated April 26, 1910 records James W. (36) - NC/NC/NC) and Lillie (29) Brown with children Odell (6), Glenn (4), Gladys (2), and Hattie (6/12). James is a farmer and had been married to Lillie for 7 years. They have had 4 children all of whom are still living.

The 1920 Federal Census for Bruce Township, Guilford Co., North Carolina, District 126, page 7A, dated January 16, 1920 records James (46 - Johnson Co., NC/NC/NC) and Lillie (39 - Rockingham/Rockingham/Stokes) Brown with children Glenn (14), Gladis (11), Hattie (9), Please (7), Lawsea (6), Cornelis (4), Cora (2 3/12), and Ornette (9/12) living along Summerfield Road. James Manages a Farm.

The WWI Draft Registration Card for Ernest Theo. Burton dated Sept 12, 1918 records his date of birth as June 11, 1880. He is a Machinist for the British-American Tobacco Company and is living with his wife, India Burton, at 462 Byrne Street in Petersburg, VA. His physical description is medium height and stout build with gray eyes and dark hair.

The 1920 Federal Census for Petersburg, Ward 3, Virginia, District 77, page 154B, dated January 12, 1920 records the widow Fannie B. Young (61 - VA/VA/VA) living with her daughter, Indie [Young] Burton (37 - VA/VA/VA) and her husband Ernest Burton (39 - NC/NC/NC) at 469 Byrne Street. Ernest is a Machinist at a Tobacco Factory.

The WWII Draft Registration Card (for men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897) for Ernest Theodore Burton dated April 27, 1942 lists his date of birth as June 11, 1880 in Davidson Co., NC. He is living at 1606 Ferndale Ave, Petersburg, and the person who will always know his address is Mrs. Fannie Louise Burton of the same address. He is working for the Brown & Williamson [Tobacco Company] of Petersburg and his physical description is 5' 4", 169 lbs with blue eyes, gray hair and light complexion.


I believe I have found the Gregg family, ie ... Fannie Gregg Young, mother of William Lee Young, Sr.:
The 1870 Federal Census for Darvilles, Dinwiddie Co., Virginia, Dinwiddie Court House P. O., page 470, dated July 28, 1870 records Joe (47 - VA) and Indianna (39 - VA) Grigg with children Virginia (18), Fannie (13), Wesley (10), and Berryman (5). Joe is a School Teacher.
The 1860 Federal Census for Revenue District 2, Dinwiddie Co., VA page 92 & 93, dated August 1860 records Joseph W. (38) and Indianna J. (30) Grigg with children Virginia P. (10), Francis E. (4), and Westley T. (1). Joseph is a School Teacher with real estate valued at $1,000 and a personal estate valued at $1,600 including 4 slaves: 1 female (37) and children ages 5, 3, & 2. Nearby is William Grigg (65) and his wife Mary A. Grigg (55) with children Olivia Grigg (17), Thomas V. Grigg (16), and Sarah A. Grigg (8). William has real estate valued at $600 and a personal estate valued at $123.

The 1870 Federal Census for Darvilles, Dinwiddie Co., Virginia, Dinwiddie Court House P. O., page 471, dated July 28, 1870 records Leonidas Young (10) living with his father W. D. Young (37 - VA) and his 2nd wife, Ida Young (18), and brothers Willie Young (9) and Drewry Young (3). Ida is most likely Ida V. Ridd who in 1860 is living with William D. (60) & Elizabeth B. (56) Young ... also in their household are Laura E. Young (19), Oscar J. Young (16), Alfraetta S. Young (13) as well as James B. (30) and Martha E. (20) Young. In 1860 William D. Young is a farmer with real estate valued at $4,500 and a personal estate valued at $27,000 including 20 slaves.

The 1850 Federal Census for the Northern District, Dinwiddie Co., Virginia, Dinwiddie Court House P. O., page 457B, dated September 12, 1850 records Edward H. (45) and Sarah C. (42) Young with children Wm D. Young (17), Indiana Young (15), Sarah Young (12), Edwin Young (8), and Adolphus Young (4). Edward is a farmer with real estate valued at $2,000. The 1860 Federal Census for Revenue District 2, Dinwiddie Co., VA, Petersburg P. O., page 80, dated July 1860 records Sally C. Young (52) with her children Edwin Young (17) and Aldolphus Young (13) ... also in the household is John E. Kirkham (3). Sally is a farmer with real estate valued at $7,500 and a personale estae valued at $17,115. It appears that Edward Young has died and his son is living with John F. Young, perhaps William's uncle: The 1860 Federal Census for Revenue District 2, Dinwiddie Co., VA, Dinwiddie C. H. P. O., page 70, dated June 28, 1860 records William D. Young (25) living with John F. Young (48). Also in the household are Mary H. Young (23), Sarah (25) and Edwin (1). Perhaps Sarah is William's wife and Edwin his son, named for his father. Mary is John's young wife.


The 1880 Federal Census for Rowhanty Magisterial District, Dinwiddie Co., Virginia, District 85, page 202B, dated June 1, 1880 records Joseph W. (57 - VA) and Indianna (50 - VA) Grigg with children Virginia P. (25), Wesley T. (20), and Berryman (16). Joe is a School Teacher. Two doors down is Leondas Young (21) and his wife of 1 year, Fannie B. Young (18). Leondas and Fannie are the parents of William Lee Young.
The 1880 Federal Census for Rowhanty Sub Division, Dinwiddie Co., Virginia, District 84, page 199A, dated June 21, 1880 records William D. Young (48) with his wife Ida Young (28) and children William (19), Drewry Young (14), Charles Young (9), Annie Young (5), Sallie Young (3), and Lettie B. Young (5/12 - December). Also in the household are William's mother-in-law Ann Cox (55) and 2 cousins Mary B. Young (16) and Etta Young (25).

  Medical Notes:

Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014
Name: William Lee Young Sr (widowed)
Residence: 208 Desota Drive, Richmond, VA
Occupation: Plant Wire Chief, C & P Telephone
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age at Death: 82
Birth Date: 14 Apr 1887
Death Date: 1 Jan 1970
Death Place: Patrick Henry Hospital, Newport News, Virginia
Burial: Mountain View Cemetery, Danville, VA
Registration Date: 13 Jan 1970
Father: L E Young
Spouse: Grace Demott Young
Informant: William L. Young, Jr. [son]

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: C & P Telephone Co.

William married Grace DeMott, daughter of George W. DeMott and Ada Catherine White, about 1911. (Grace DeMott was born on 15 Sep 1890 in Chatham, Pittsylvania Co., VA, died on 31 Oct 1965 in Danville City, Virginia and was buried on 2 Nov 1965 in Mountain View Cemetery, Danville, VA.) The cause of her death was Parotitis / Cholecystectomy / Pancreatitis *.