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Male, Canada/US, born 1855-04-01, died 1914-01-29
Associated with the firms network
Young, R.B. and Son, Architects; Young, Robert Brown, Architect
Résumé
Robert Brown Young died eight days after the San Francisco architect William Curlett (1846-1914), both of whom were eulogized as being two of the leading California architects of their day.
Carpenter, Hichinbrooke, Huntingdon, QC, 1881.
Principal, Robert B. Young, Building Contractor, Los Angeles, CA, c. 1883. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1883, p. 198.)
Principal, R.B. Young, Architect, Los Angeles, CA, 1884-1914. Young's name first appeared as an architect in the Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1884. He had an office in Rooms #5 and 6 of the Nadeau Block. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1884, p. 399.) In 1886, Robert Young shared Room #5 of the Nadeau Block with Frank C. Young, a contractor and builder, who was likely his youngest brother, Francis. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1886, p. 251.) He would name his own son Francis, who went by the name "Frank."
A newspaper advertisement in the Los Angeles Herald, 01/01/1889, (p. 15), listed the following prominent Los Angelenos as references for Young and his work: J.B. Lankershim, Mrs. Hollenbeck, Dr. Walter Dudley and O.T. Johnson.
He had an office in Rooms #8 and 9 in the Roeder Block, (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1887, p. 442.)
According to his classified advertisement in the Los Angeles Times of 11/18/1890 (p. 9), architect R.B. Young occupied Rooms 47, 48 and 49 in the "New Wilson Block." He remained there in 1892. In 1896, he had an office at 435 South Broadway. (See Maxwell's Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1896, p. 1460.) In 1903, Young had his quarters in Room #615 of the Lankershim Building, an office tower that he designed. (See Los Angeles Classified Business Directory, 1903, p. 1705.) In 1907, he worked at Young, 126 West 3rd, Room #615, in Los Angeles. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1907, p. 1635.)
Professional Activities
Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Vice-President, AIA, Southern California Chapter, Los Angeles, CA, 1912-1913. The Western Architect noted Young's election as Vice-President of the AIA, Southern California Chapter in 11/1912: "The election of officers at the annual election of the Southern California Chapter, held at Los Angeles, October 12, resulted in re-election of John C. Austin, President, and Ferdinand Parmentier, Secretary, R.B. Young is Vice-President and August Wackerharth [sic] is Treasurer of the Chapter. The occasion was concluded with a banquet at which a general discussion of competitions for public buildings was indulged in." (See "Architectural Societies," Western Architect, 12/1912, vol. XVIII, no. 12, p. V.)
Education
His entry in Who's Who on the Pacific Coast, 1913, (p. 630), indicated that he was educated in "public schools, Canada."
Relocation
Robert Brown Young was born in the Township of Hinchinbrooke, Huntingdon, QC, Canada. Various different years of birth have been associated with him, including 1852 (the date recorded California Death Index, on the Wilson Family mausoleum wall marker and in the 1900 US Census) and 1854 (listed in Find A Grave.com, accessed 01/21/2021.) A biographical record in Who's Who on the Pacific Coast, 1913, (p. 630), indicated that he was born on 04/01/1855. The 1861 Census of Canada listed Robert as being seven in that year, indicating that his birthdate was 1854. It is most likely that he had been born in either 1854 or 1855, based on the Canadian Censuses and the Who's Who listing. Adding to this likelihood, was that he had been baptized in 1856 at at Saint Andrew's Church in Huntingdon, QC. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Institut Généalogique Drouin; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Drouin Collection; Author: Gabriel Drouin, comp., accessed 01/21/2021.)
According to the 1861 Canadian Census, he was one of nine children of Alexander and Mary Ann Young, both farmers. His three eldest siblings had been born in Ireland, the last, Mary Ann, having been born in 1847. His next oldest sibling, Alexander, was nine, and had been born in QC. This suggested that the family might have moved to QC between 1847 and 1852. The Youngs lived in a one-story "block" house in 1861, perhaps meaning a farmhouse constructed of stone blocks, in Hinchinbrooke. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Census Returns For 1861; Roll: C-1281-1282, accessed 01/21/2021.)
The 1871 Canadian Census indicated that his father, Alexander, had died by this time. Robert was recorded as being 17 (again putting his birthdate in 1854), and that five other siblings remained at their Hinchinbrooke home in that year. Additionally, his 86-year-old grandfather, Thomas Dowler (born c. 1785 in Ireland), resided with the Youngs. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1871; Census Place: Hinchinbrooke, Huntingdon East, Quebec; Roll: C-10056; Page: 43, accessed 01/21/2021.)
The 1881 Canadian Census indicated that he was 26 years old, (making his birthdate in 1855), and that he resided with his mother Mary Ann and four siblings in Hinchinbrook Township in Huntingdon. His mother, sister Sarah Louise and brother Benjamin worked as farmers, while his other brothers Alexander and Frank worked in the building trades as a slater and mason, respectively. Robert worked as a carpenter in 1881. This census identified the family as being "W. Methodist," standing for "Wesleyan Methodist." (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1881; Census Place: Hinchinbrooke, Huntingdon, Quebec; Roll: C_13206; Page: 29; Family No: 132, accessed 01/21/2021.)
He relocated to California in either late 1882 or early 1883. He worked initially in Los Angeles as a building contractor, living on Olive Street. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1883, p. 198.) He moved to a new dwelling at 419 10th Street in 1884. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1884, p. 399.) He continued to live on the corner of 10th and Olive Streets two years later. The City of Los Angeles renamed 10th Street to "Olympic Boulevard" after the 1932 Olympics were held in the city. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1886, p. 252.)
By 1887, Young moved to the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, on the corner of Soto Street and Michigan Avenue. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1887, p. 442.) Young became a naturalized US citizen on on 08/04/1888 in Los Angeles, CA. He resided at 99 Soto Street in that year. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 20; FHL Roll Number: 977994, accessed 01/21/2021.) His address changed to 147 Soto in Boyle Heights by 1890. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1890, p. 327.)
He lived at 810 West 7th Street in 1892. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 21; FHL Roll Number: 976929, accessed 01/21/2021.)
Between 1896 through 1900, Robert Brown Young resided at 802 West 7th Street, and worked in an office at 828 West 7th Street. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 21; FHL Roll Number: 976930, accessed 01/21/2021 and Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1900, p. 813.)
In 1900, the household included Robert and Mary, their children Salva, Mary Elizabeth, and Francis Wilson, and his in-laws, Henry and Eliza Martin Wilson, and a household servant, Ying Pomying (born c. 07/1865 in China). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Los Angeles Ward 4, Los Angeles, California; Page: 1; Enumeration District: 0039; FHL microfilm: 1240089, accessed 01/21/2021.)
Young and his family lived at 1001 Hoover Street in Los Angeles by 1907, at least. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1907, p. 1635.) According to the 1910 US Census, the household at 1001 Hoover included his daughter Mary and son Frank, as well as three servants, chauffeur William Taylor (born c. 1887 in MI), Lem Laun (born c. 1875 in China) and Tamara Kotsutaro (born c. 1882 in Japan). As per the census, Laun came to the US in 1895, while Kotsutaro immigrated in 1907.
Young died at 1001 Hoover Street following an illness lasting several months. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Los Angeles Assembly District 72, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T624_82; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 0203; FHL microfilm: 1374095, accessed 01/25/2021. A death notice for Young stated: “Funeral services for Robert Brown Young, prominent Los Angeles architect and clubman, who died at his home, 1001 South Hoover street, after an illness of five months, will be held at 11 o’clock tomorrow morning in St. Vibiana cathedral. He was president of the Southern California chapter of the American Institute of Architecture, designed the Lankershim hotel, the Lankershim building, the Occidental hotel, the Westminster hotel and several departments store buildings.” (See “Arrange Funeral for Well-Known Architect,” Los Angeles Herald, vol. XL, no. 77, 01/30/1914, Section 2, p. 1.)
Parents
His father was Alexander Young (born c. 1809 in Ireland), his mother, Mary Ann Dowler (born c. 1817 in Ireland). They worked as farmers in Hichinbrooke Township. Alexander had died before 1881.
His parents had the following children: Eliza Young Bridges (born c. 1840 in Ireland), James Young (born c. 1843 in Ireland), Mary Ann Young (born c. 1847 in Ireland), Alexander Young (born c. 1852 in QC), Sarah Young (born c. 1852 in QC), Benjamin Young (born c. 1854 in QC), Edward Young (born c. 1855 in QC), and Francis Young (born c. 1857 in QC). It is possible that Benjamin and Robert were twins.
Spouse
He wed Mary C. Wilson Doddridge (born 01/20/1864 in Memphis, TN-d. 11/03/1938 in Pasadena, CA) on 01/20/1882, in Denver, CO. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information: Colorado, County Marriage Records and State Index, 1862-2006 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Marriage Records. Colorado Marriages. State Archives, Denver, Colorado, accessed 01/20/2021.) The US Census of 1900 indicated that Mary Wilson had been born in 01/1863.
Her father was Henry Wilson (1809-1901), a butcher, her mother Eliza Martin (1820-1909). While living in Saint Louis, MO, Mary became pregnant at an early age and gave birth to a son Salva P. Doddridge (born c. 11/1979 in Saint Louis, MO-d. 01/25/1906 in San Mateo County, CA). It is not known if Mary was married at the time.
Children
He and Mary raised four children together, three of whom were conceived by the two. They included Mary Elizabeth Young Moore (born 11/07/1882-d. 10/23/1971 in Pasadena, CA), Frank Wilson Young, (born 06/30/1887 in Los Angeles, CA-d. 11/24/1918 in Los Angeles, CA) and Robert Young (born 1891 in Los Angeles, CA-1893 in Los Angeles, CA).
Mary's 1907 marriage to James Oran Moore ended after three years. She became a benefactor to the Catholic Church, which bestowed upon her many honors, including the title of "Papal Countess." She became a donor and advisor to Cardinal Spellman in New York, NY.
Robert Brown Young worked with his son Frank in an architectural partnership, R.B. Young and Son.
Biographical Notes
In 1869, while Robert Brown Young lived in Huntingdon, QC, another "Robert Young," a widower, got married to a Rebecca Burnside. Whether this was a relation is not known, as yet. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Institut Généalogique Drouin; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Drouin Collection; Author: Gabriel Drouin, comp., accessed 01/21/2021.)
1896 California voter records described 41-year-old Robert Brown Young as standing 5-feet, 8-inches tall. Caucasian, he had a light complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 21; FHL Roll Number: 976930, accessed 01/21/2021.)
PCAD id: 1373
