Penn's Brother Walter SC Yonge was an Adventurer, Entrepeneur and a Showman
Walter survived a sinking, served in the Civil War, and while living very near Penn Yonge in Opelika, he started a restaurant, and opened a bear and rare bird attraction.
Walter Story Chandler Yonge was born 1816 in Fernandina, Spanish East Florida, the son of Henry Yonge and Jane Ann Cox. Walter is born years before his little brother Penn Yonge.
One account says Henry A. Yonge about age 27 and Mary Ellis age 20 (daughter of Dr. Iddo Ellis), were married at the home of Henry's half brother Walter S.C. Yonge on December 4, 1831 in Eatonton, Georgia.
However, Henry's marriage records show he was married Dec 1831 in Upson county, GA. Penn was born in Upson county in 1823. But all the later children were born in East Florida, maybe Walter was in charge of the Upson county home.
He was orphaned in 1834 when his father died, and he apparently did not go with the younger children to the home of his older brother William Phillip Yonge.
From 1838 at least through 1839 during the Creek War in Florida, he served as a Private in the 5th Florida Mounted Militia.
Capt. J. Withers Company of the 5th Regiment 2nd Brigade of Florida mounted Militia, commanded by Colonel Dupont, ordered into service of the United States by Major Dearborn from the 2nd day of August 1838 to the 7th day of August 1838, enrolled by Capt. Withers at Quincy, Fla. for 5 days. Muster certified at Quincy on 9 March 1839 by J. Withers, commanding the Company and by Capt. L.P. Heintzelman, Inspector & Mustering officer.
On Feb 12 1841 he survives the sinking of the schooner Elvea Ann about 25 miles from Pensacola on the way to Mobile. He gives an account of the sinking.
On the 12th inst. we set sail from Pensacola for Mobile, in company with eight other passengers on board the Schooner Elvea Ann, commanded by Geo. Pontappidan. We were favored a smooth sea
and fair wind and were making our way pleasantly and apparently in security, when suddenly, about 25 miles from Pensacola
at 1 oclock P.M., a flaw or sudden blast of wind upset our vessel.
After much difficulty the small boat was released from the side of Ibe vessel and we were requested to enter it by the Captain and his mate.
As destruction to all would have been inevitable had another vessel entered the boat, the Captain immediately put off for the shore
distant about 5 or 6 miles, and after laboring two and a half hours against wind and tide with only two small oars, we reached
the shore.
We then travelled eleven miles on the beach, drawing Dillon Jordan, Jun.[Junior], a youth of 1O years old, son of The Hon. D. Jordan, in our small boat along the beach, he has from his sufferings in the water and exposure to the cold rendered insensible fur several hoars.
About sunset we reached the summer residence of Maj. Wm. H. Chase, who, upon learning our destitute condition, tendered to us every assistance which our situation required and which benevolence could suggest.
By the following morning, we were sufficiently recovered to proceed to Pensacola in a boat which Major Chase bad the generosity to furnish us.
It is profound regret we record fact, that when we had progressed about half a mile in our little boat, we beheld to our inexpressible sorrow, the vessel with our fellow passengers sink beneath the waves.
It is due Io Capt. Geo. Pontappidan that we should testily, that this catastrophe cannot be ascribed to any neglect or want of skill on his part or that of the mate. It was event so sudden and unexpected, that neither skill or prudence could have averted it, and but for his extraordinary composure and self command, must all
have perished. In the gratitude of our hearts and in justice to the Captain, we do thus publicly tender to him, his mate and Major Chase, our sincere gratitude, and we will for ever pray for their happiness and prosperity.
ROBT. BELL S. HARGIS,
WALTER S C. YONGE.
Pensacoa, Feb. 14th, 1841.
P. S. The loss was total, nothing saved.
R.B.S.H.
W.S.C.Y.
Walter SC Yonge is appointed Postmaster of Geneva, Dale, AL on Jul 27 1840.
In 1841 he married Amelia Ellis, sister of Henry's wife Mary above, daughter of Dr, J. Ellis of Georgia. They had 5 children: Chandler Iddo 1842, Henry F. born and died 1844, Walter Alonzo 1845, Lucy Ann 1846, Roswell Ellis 1849.
They lived in Euchuanno, Walton, FL from 1841 to 1845, at Marianna, Jackson, FL from 1846 to 1849, and were living at Blounts Town, Calhoun, FL in 1850-1851.
Two sons died young, Henry died 1845, and Walter died 1851.
His wife died in 1851 in Southville, Coffee, AL at the residence of Walter's half brother Henry Alexander Yonge.
On Dec 18 1841 he acquires 40.07 acres in Township 19, range 23 East Alabama near Church Hill, AL, west of Opelika. It doesnt appear that he ever lived there.
Walter Yonge is appointed Postmaster in Indigo Head, Coffee, AL Mar 16 1852.
In 1853 he is issued some land in Coffee county, AL.
In 1856 he is appointed Postmaster at Uchee Anna, Walton, FL.
In Jul 1861 he is a Sgt with the Blue Whistlers Regiment in Pensacola, FL under Capt. Dillon Jordan.
From 1866 through 1872 he is quite busy developing and promoting his ventures in Opelika
In the 1866 census Walter is living in Opelika, Russell, AL with his wife, 4 sons, one daughter. Lee county was formed in 1866. Interestingly, he also shows up in the Washington county (near Mobile), AL census in 1866.
In the Jun 13 1870 census Walter is living in Opelika AL with his son Roswell.
Just like his brother Penn, Walter is now calling himself a Colonel.
Walter has constructed two fish ponds abt one half mile from the Opelika House and the depot on the Savannah a& Memphis railroad. The railroad embankment is the dam of the upper pond, which is fed by several springs. Shade trees are planted around it. The pond below is fed by the upper pond, via an aqueduct through the embankment, and the dam below is used as a public highway. This too is surrounded by shade trees and has 5 bathing rooms, two for ladies.
Next to his Lake is a refreshment saloon and bathing rooms. Several boats are ready for boat rides.
For a quarter you can see Walter's Lake exhibit with rare marine curiosities incl sawfish and swordfish. Then he started a live bear attraction nearby.
Feb 17 1871 ad for Walters New Restaurant. Maybe they serve fish.
He opens Yonge's Restaurant with his son Roswell Yonge.
Walter is also building a single track railroad from Opelika to his Yonge's Lake. The lake is 0.5 mile from the Opelika depot
By 1872 Walter is fixing up the city park in style, having already adorned it with birds from Asia and a tiger cub from Mexico.
In 1873 Walter dies after traveling to his brother Chandler Cox Yonge's house in Pensacola, FL
Sources:
2/20/1841 Pensacola Gazette p20 Walter survives sinking
7/7/1861 Mobile Advertiser and Register p2 Sgt. Walter Yonge
2/17/1871 Opelika Weekly p3 ad for Walter SC Yonges Restaurant
5/7/1871 Montgomery Advertiser p1 Walter has 2 fish ponds
5/12/1871 Opelika Weekly pp 2,3 Walter partners with his son RE plus GW Sorrell in restaurant
6/16/1871 Opelika Weekly Walter's Lake exhibits rare marine species for a quarter
9/1/1871 Opelika Weekly have a bear
11/30/1871 Montgomery Advertiser Walter building single track railroad from Opelika to Yonges Lake
12/1/1871 Southern Argus building single track railroad from Opelika to Yonges Lake
1/28/1872 Montgomery Advertiser p3 WC Yonge railroad, restaurant and lake
6/6/1872 Eufaula Weekly Walter brings Asian birds and Mexican tiger cub to Opelika city park
3/14/1873 Wilmington NC Morning Star Walter dies in Pensacola [visiting his brother CC]
Book-Florida militia muster rolls, Seminole Indian Wars. Vol. 10 p.127
