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Descendants of A. D. and E. Young: Family Chart #1.
Last Updated May 2006.

Biographical Details:

Emily Harben Young
Born, 24 April 1839, Scotland
Christened, 31 May 1839, Dundee, Scotland
Married, James Henderson, 14 June 1865, Forgan, Fife, Scotland
Died, 26 March 1877, Dundee, Scotland

Their children:

1. Emily Henderson, born, 18 June 1866, Dundee, Scotland
2. James Wilson Henderson, born 16 April 1870, Dundee, Scotland

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Biographical Details:

Henry William Young
Born, 31 October 1841, Camberwell, London
Arrived Westport NZ 1863
Married, Annie Aitken, 14 April 1883
Died, 4 August 1903, Greymouth, NZ

E G Young's Biography (dated July 1986)
Henry William Young. Born 31 October 1840, in Camberwell. Emigrated to Westport N.Z. in 1863. In partnership with his brother Robert Austen (see below), the two being known as the Young Brothers, working as engineers to wn-Traciers {unable to decipher} on the West coast. Married Annie Fleming Aiken 5th daughter and 5th child of Janet and George Aiken of Greymouth on 14 April 1883. Henry William died at Greymouth on 4 August 1903. Annie remarried a Mr Charles Turner on 29 July 1918. There were two sons and ? daughters by the 1st marriage. Nothing is known about the later in the 2nd marriage.

Children of H W & A Young:

1. Austen Henry Harben Young, Born 22 March 1888 Died 27 February 1889.
2. Henry Harben Austen Young (known as Cousin Harben) Born 25 January 1890 at Greymouth. Died 22 September 1957 at Wellington. Married 29 March 1930 to Mary Isabella Craig - daughter of John Wilson Craig. No children. Secondary education at Wellington College. Joined the Inland Revenue Department in 1908 and retiring in 1945 as Chief Inspector. Then spent 3 & half years in the Revenue Department Kenya, Africa. Returning to N.Z in 1951. He was the founder of the Wellington Contract Bridge Club and with his wife Mary won the N.Z. Contract Bridge Pairs Championship in 1939. Mary Isabella Young died 20 December 1958.

Source The NZ Surveyor. 1903 Page 271-272,
Obituary, (reprinted from the Grey River Argus, August 1903)
Mr H W Young.
Although for the last few days not unexpected, the demise of the late Henry William Young, the well-known civil and mining engineer, which occurred at his residence, Cowper Street, at 11.30pm on Tuesday, 4th inst., comes as a shock to the community amongst whom he had long and worthily laboured, and whose deepest respect his exceptional abilities and straightforward character have deservedly won. The deceased was a perfect type of an unassuming cultured English gentleman, and one of great scientific and literary attainments. In his professional life he occupied a leading position in the foremost ranks of engineering circles, and in professional and private life his career was irreproachable and blameless.
Mr Young was a native of Camberwell, London, where he was born in 1840. He came to New Zealand in 1863, and to the West Coast in 1865 to join his brother Mr R A Young (now of Westport) who had arrived a few months earlier. Until 1873 the brothers remained on the goldfields, mining and practising their profession. In 1873 the brothers settled in Greymouth, remaining in partnership for about eight years, during which time they were engineers for many important works for the Government and various local bodies. As architects they also designed the Greymouth, Hokitika and other large public schools and ecclesiastical buildings, including Trinity Church, Greymouth. In 1878 the firm were appointed engineers to the Westport collieries, and in that capacity designed and carried out the railway and the famous Denniston incline, at the time a new departure in engineering work and one of the engineering wonders of the world. The firm were employed by the Government to take soundings and prepare all the preliminary information for the report of Sir John Coode, and were also associated with Mr Napier Bell, in the construction of the Cape Foulwind railway and portion of the Westport harbour works of which Mr R A Young is now engineer. For a couple of years Mr H W Young had been in Wanganui, but in 1886 he accepted the appointment of Chief Assistant Engineer in the colony for the Midland Railway Company, being directly under Mr Napier Bell, and subsequently the late Robert Wilson MICE, acting as Engineer-in-Chief during Mr Wilson’s absence from the colony.

Henry William Young (left), with Mr Labatt (middle) and Mr Sandman (right). Picture taken near Blue Spur Road outside Hokitika by Walter F. Brett (also a an engineer/surveyor of the Midland Railway Company) circa 1895. Image used with permission: WF Brett Collection.

Mr Young’s appointment was of 10 years’ duration, lapsing only with the cessation of operations by the Company. Since 1896 Mr Young was in private practice as engineer and architect and in both capacities was associated with nearly every important work or building on the Coast. His professional attainments were largely recognised in England, where he was an associate member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, a member of the Institute of Mining Engineers, and a member of the Society of Architects.
In social life Mr Young was deservedly popular with all. Added to a genial and kindly, and most hospitable disposition, he was possessor of a refined and cultured wit that made his company ever pleasant and eagerly sought for. Mr Young was a cousin of the Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, the British Secretary of State, his mother and Mr Chamberlain’s mother being sisters.
In 1884 the deceased married his sister-in-law, Miss Annie Aitken, daughter of Mr John Aitken, a well-known Government official in the earlier days of the Coast. Two sons were the issue of the marriage, the elder of whom died in infancy and was interred in the Orawaiti cemetery. Mr and Mrs Young always took an active interest in church matters. To both of them the parishioners of Trinity church owe much, and the memory of the departed one will be long revered.
As the late Mr Young’s mother and son are interred at Westport his own remains will be laid with them. The body will be taken to Westport by the Mapourika on Friday morning, but before being placed on board will be taken to Trinity church where a funeral service will be held.
To his widow and orphan son, his brothers, Robert and Edward Young, and relatives on the Coast, in common with the community who loved and respected him, we extend our deep sympathy in their sad bereavement.

Source: The Cyclopaedia of New Zealand, vol 5, 1906 (includes portrait picture)
Mr. H. W. Young, sometime a Civil and Mining Engineer, Authorised Licensed and Registered Mining Surveyor, and Architect, at Greymouth, was engineer for a number of mining companies, including the Croesus (Paparoa) Gold Mining Company, the Taipo, Waiwhero and Pactolus Sluicing Companies, and other important undertakings. Engaged on engineering and mining works on the West Coast since its earliest days, he and his brother (Mr. R. A. Young) established the firm of Young Brothers, at Greymouth in the year 1873, and for many years carried on a very extensive practice. They designed, carried out, and were sole engineers for the works of the Westport Colliery Company at Westport. These works rank amongst the foremost engineering works in New Zealand, and at the time of their construction, they were of greater magnitude than any other colonial works or similar character. In 1886 Mr. C. Napier Bell, the Midland Railway Company’s chief engineer resident in the colony, engaged Mr. H. W. Young as his chief assistant engineer, and after Mr. Napier Bell’s retirement Mr. Young remained as chief assistant to the engineers-in-chief, the late Mr. Robert Wilson, and was acting chief engineer during Mr. Wilson’s absence from New Zealand. Mr. Young was an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, member of the Federated Institution of Mining Engineers, of the Society of Architects, and of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors. He died some time ago.

Source: "Early New Zealand Engineers", F. W. Furkert, 1953. Pages 302-303
Young, Henry William (1840-1903), was born at Camberwell, London on 31 October, 1840, and emigrated to New Zealand with his brother Robert in 1864. He was trained in Dundee, Scotland, as an engineer and architect, also previously as a practical carpenter and builder. The brothers Henry and Robert, q.v., remained in partnership for many years, engaging in mining engineering, general engineering, railway work, surveying and architecture. They designed the public schools at Greymouth and Hokitika and elsewhere and many dwellings and churches, notably Trinity Church, Greymouth, and High School, New Plymouth. In 1878 they were appointed engineers to the Westport Coal Company and constructed the famous Denniston Incline, sidings and approach railway line from Waimangaroa. In 1880 Henry Young took extensive roadstead and other soundings and did other preliminary work to assist Sir John Coode in making his report on the Westport Harbour at the mouth of the Buller River. He was associated with C. Napier Bell, M.Inst.C.E., in building the Cape Foulwind railway and sidings to facilitate the Westport Harbour works. From 1884 to 1886 he was in practice in Wanganui. Following this he was appointed Chief Assistant Engineer to the New Zealand Midland Railway, under C. Napier Bell, and later under Robert Wilson. In 1889 he was elected A.M.Inst.C.E. During his service with the Midland Railway, which was built from Stillwater to Reefton and from Stillwater to Inchbonnie, he also superintended surveys for Midland Railway extensions, including the line over Arthur's Pass. During the Wilson's absence in England he acted as Chief Engineers. The Midland Railway Company having ceased operations, Young in 1896 resumed private practice, and his operations, both architectural and engineering, were widespread. Also as a registered Land Surveyor he carried out many land surveys in the Greymouth District. He was a member of the Society of Architects and a member of the Institute of Mining Engineers, England. He died in Greymouth on August 4th, 1903. With W.C. Edwards, A.M.inst.C.E, he contributed to the I.C.E. a paper on Cylindrical Bridge Piers (see I.C.E., Vol, CXXII, pp. 283-290).

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Biographical Details:

Edward Young
Born, 21 January 1850 in Perth, Scotland.
Died, October 1929, Westport, New Zealand.

Above: The start of Edward's letter to his mother, Emily Young (nee Harben) dated 2 December 1877. the full transcript follows: Edinburgh, 2nd December 1877 My dear Mother, Things have been going on pretty much as usual with us since I last wrote. I received your letter and the papers all right. I was very much interested in all the particulars of home gossip you gave me & was very sorry I was not present at your onion [doubtful of the exact word] supper. However we will be back again on Friday fortnight & make up for it then. John Mason [Masson?] was up here again tonight but we have both out with [name unreadable] for a walk at the time he called. I believe it will be good for Ada going to the shop, it will sharpen her up bit. I am astonished to learn that Jack has given up the church. It was about time though. Do you know who is to succeed him yet? I suppose it is again getting near time for the New Zealand mail I will make sure and write them this time. It is disagreeable weather have just snow. Tonight the fog was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Walter has heard from William [name] but I suppose he will tell you all about that himself. You appear to be keeping up a record of festivities (judging from your last letter). I was much assumed at the idea of you & Mrs Davidson [doubtful of the exact name] staggering home together the festive halls of [location?]. But, this is nothing like being jolly & keeping up ones spirits. These gaieties will prevent your feeling dull during the absence of your two [xxxxxxx]. It’s a pity the telegraph cable has gone wrong, the Martins must be [xxxxxx]. I have not heard the result of either of my examinations yet. I am all right in the natural Philosophy, but am not so sure about the Mathematics. These are only class exams, however, and are intended much to keep the students up to the mark. There is one on Thursday next week for which I am reading up just now and will manage all right. There has been a disagreeableness giving up with regard to the lodgings – Walter has given you a few particulars. The girl is continually interfering with our things and shifting them from one place to another, so that we never know where to lay our hands on anything when we want it. She has hidden two Christmas annuals [doubtful of the exact name] so effectively that I have never found them again. Walter has told you what we found as we returned tonight. They had on the best fire there has been in the dorm since we came. I don’t like to complain about our inconveniences which Snr Hislop is unwell (that being evidentially the cause of them) but shall have to do so shortly. A change of lodgings would be an advantage in other respects. We would like a first or second floor better which would be above suspicion of damp & not so close to the noise of the streets, but we shall arrange nothing definite for a few days – I don’t think it would do to leave at the Christmas holidays as we must have somewhere to stow our luggage, but by leaving at that time we could save a fortnights lodging (which must we must otherwise pay) if we could leave our luggage any where. With love to everybody, believe me, dear mother. Your affectionate son Edward Young

Obituary of Edward Young
Published in the Westport News, 25 October 1929.
The passing of Edward Young, an old and highly esteemed citizen, is deeply regretted, especially by those who have had the privilege to know this grand old man intimately in the earlier years of his life. Born at Scone, Perthshire, Scotland, and educated at Edinburgh and London Universities he came to New Zealand in 1886 to join his brothers, Robert & Henry, who, at that time were engaged as engineers to the Mildland Railway Company of New Zealand. Mr Young later moved to Westport, where he established and conducted a private school in Lyndhurst Street for advanced students in mathematics, engineering, languages, and journalism. He was a noted scholar and a teacher of considerable ability, one who possessed a wonderful gift of understanding his pupils and imparting knowledge. He was a noted linguist and was the first in New Zealand to acquire the Zeamanhof diploma for Esperanto.
Mr Young's literary abilities were shown in many short stories and poems, all of which were much sought after by publishers and appeared in many noted journals throughout the Empire. A collection of these poems is now in the hands of the London publishers and will shortly appear in book form.
Mr Young was first cousin to the late Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain. He was a fine upright man of impeachable integrity and honour and one whom it was a pleasure and privilege to know. He was a true son of auld Scotia, and was steeped deeply in its folk lore and traditions. He was one of those fast disappearing bands of early pioneers who have laboured industriously in their youth and have blazed the trail for others to follow.
Mr Young, together with the late James Bradly, founded the School of Mines in Westport, and for 17 years acted gratuitously as secretary. It was greatly due to his endeavours that the present fine institution was established in Westport.
Messrs H. A. Young., S.M., of Christchurch, Mr H. R. Young, in England, or on his way back to New Zealand, and Mrs Robinson, Christchurch are nephews and niece respectively of the deceased. Mr H. A. Young is arriving in Westport today to attend the funeral.

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Biographical Details:

Catherine "Kate" Stone Young
Born, 7 October 1852, Dundee, Scotland
Married, 18 Jan 1872, William Dodson Valentine, Dundee, Scotland.
Died, 31 July 1912, Scotland

Children of William D Valentine and Catherine Stone Young;

1. Katherine Dodson Valentine (b. 14 June 1874 Dundee)
2. James Harben Valentine (b. 16 Nov 1872 Dundee -d. 1949) known as Harben
3. Alastair F. Valentine (b. abt 1876 Dundee) Served in the Boar War
4. Rachel E. Valentine (b. abt 1878, Newport, Forgan)

The Valentine's

John Valentine, (1792-185?), set up in business as a print cutter for linen manufacturers in Dundee in the early years of the nineteenth century, but times were hard for the trade and his business went bust. Around 1822 he started a new business as a lithographer and stamp cutter. This was later known as John Valentine & Son when James Valentine,(1815-79), joined his father working as an engraver in 1832. James started his own business around 1840, and married Rachel Dobson in 1843.

Around 1860, James Valentine decided to add topographic views to the output of the company. His eldest son, William Dobson Valentine, (1844-1907/8) studied chemistry at London University before training in landscape photography with Francis Frith, joining the family firm in 1863. His younger son, George Dobson Valentine (1852-90) also took photographs for the company, concentrating on the studio work.

When James Valentine died in 1879, his two sons, William and George took over the running of the business, with William's son, J Harben Valentine (1872-1949, (J for James)) joining in 1886. The company by that time had around 100 workers. Ill-health had led George Dobson Valentine to leave the company in 1883, emigrating to New Zealand, where continued to take and sell landscape pictures. He died there of tuberculosis in 1890.

George Dobson Valentine (1852-1890) married Wilhelmina "Mina" Arnot Stirling Smith (1856-1947). Their children were: Mary (b. ~1879 in Dundee); James (b. ~1880 in Dundee) and Arnot (b. 1885 in Nelson, New Zealand).

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Biographical Details:

Walter Young
Born, 2 December 1854, Dundee, Scotland.

Known to be alive in December 1877 and living in Edinburgh, Scotland. During this time he was a lodger with his brother Edward (see letter above).

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