Name:
Sylvester Nash Young 
Location served:
Fletcher, Ridgetown  
Years in Practice:
1890 to 1936
Area of Specialization:
Family Medicine  

Biography:

Dr. Sylvester Nash Young was born in Ridgetown, Ontario on the 1st of July, 1854.  Dr. Young was the 6th of 8 children born to Russell Young and the former Fannie Fatima Nash.  His father was born in Maine (USA) and his mother was born in Ontario. His parents were farmers and his siblings were; Abram, Sara, Dorinda, Hiram, Harriett, Mary Jane and Duncan.

Dr. Young attended primary school in Ridgetown and High School in St. Thomas, Ontario.  Dr. Young became a teacher in Elgin County and in Chatham-Kent.  In 1884 he was an assistant teacher at Ridgetown District Secondary School.

Dr. Young did not become a doctor until 1889 when he graduated M.D.,C.M.  from Victoria University.  According to the 1928 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Young joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 22nd of May, 1889.  After graduating from medical school, Dr. Young set up his medical practice in the Village of Fletcher (Chatham-Kent).

Dr. Young married Elizabeth Newcombe on the 16th of June, 1891.  Mrs. Young was born in Duart, Ontario on the 10th of April, 1864.  She was the 3rd of 4 daughters born to William Newcombe and the former Anna Rebecca Lankin.  Her parents were farmers and her sisters were; Mary Jane Newcombe, Sarah Abigail Newcombe and Annie Rebecca Newcombe.  By 1891, the Newcombe family had moved to Ridgetown.  According to the census of 1891, Elizabeth was a tailor and her father made a living as a carpenter.  Mrs. Young’s sister Annie died of tuberculosis in Ridgetown at the age of 26.

Dr. and Mrs. Young had two children.  William Russell Young who was born in Fletcher on the 25th of November, 1895 and Fannie Elizabeth Young who was born in Fletcher on the 23rd of February, 1902.

In 1908 Dr. and Mrs. Young left Fletcher and moved to Ridgetown.  They made their home at 48 Main Street.

Dr. Young collaborated on a historical book about the community of Ridgetown with author O.K. Watson, entitled, “Memories Of The Old Home Town”.  Dr. Young appears in the 1913 Bell Telephone Directory.  According to this publication his office was located on Main Street and his telephone number was 74.

Dr. Young practiced medicine until the day before he died. He was 81 years old when he passed away on the 19th of May, 1936.  At the time of his death, he was the Medical Officer of Health.  Mrs. Young died at her residence in Ridgetown on the 18th of October, 1952.  Dr. and Mrs. Young were buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Ridgetown.

*Dr. Young’s daughter Fannie Elizabeth (Young) Simpson became a nurse.

**Webmaster/Editor’s Note: The date of death for Dr. Young is confirmed as May 19th, 1936, by the death record.

The home pictured below was purchased by Dr. Young in 1908.  His medical office was also located within this home at 48 Main Street.