David Francisco was born in
New York
in the 1790s, and settled in
Groton
Township. It appears that
David died some time between 1840 and 1850. His wife Semanda lived until 1872.
The Franciscos had three children, Frances, George J., and Maria. Frances
Francisco (1829-1891) was a harness maker in
Sandusky. George J. Francisco (1821-1893)
moved to
Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was the superintendent of the
stables for the Express Company for many years. Maria Francisco married John
Losey Young, who died in his forties in 1869.
The son of John Losey Young and Maria Francisco Young was
Merritt Francisco Young, who was born in 1849. Merritt worked as a clerk in the
United States Express Office in Sandusky
in his teenage years. Later he moved to Cincinnati,
Ohio, where he was a bookkeeper
at the Gibson Hotel. While at the hotel, he became acquainted with James A. Bailey, the well known circus
manager. Mr. Bailey saw Merritt Young’s aptitude for business, and hired him to
handle the business affairs of the Cooper and Bailey Circus in the 1860s. When
James Bailey and P.T. Barnum merged to become the Barnum and Bailey Circus in 1881, Merritt Young became treasurer of
the well known circus.
Photo source: Wikipedia
After becoming very ill in Chicago, Illinois,
Merritt Young passed away on June 16, 1897, at the age of 48. His remains were
returned to Sandusky, Ohio
for burial at Oakland
Cemetery.
Masonic funeral services were held for Mr. Young, with Rev.
Clement Martin of the Presbyterian Church officiating. At the grave site, were
his grieving mother, along with officials from the Barnum and Bailey Circus,
members of the Masonic Lodge, and several friends of the Young family. The casket of Merritt Young was adorned with
many floral tributes. The ticket agent of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show and
James A. Bailey were among those sending flowers. It was said that whenever the Barnum and Bailey Circus
visited Sandusky for a show, flowers were placed at the grave of Merritt Young at Oakland
Cemetery. Merritt’s
mother, Mrs. John Losey Young died on October 28, 1901. She was laid to rest at
Oakland Cemetery in the family lot, which she
had visited often.
