Robert R. Young

(February 14, 1897 - January 25, 1958) A leader in America's finance and transportation. Born here, in house built by lawyer Temple Houston, son of Republic of Texas President Sam Houston. His grandfather was traildriver, pioneer rancher; his father, president of the first bank in Canadian. Educated at Old Canadian Academy, Culver Military Academy (where he won highest honors), University of Virginia. Married, 1916, Anita O'Keeffe, sister of the famous painter Georgia O'Keeffe. Had a daughter. One of close friends was King Edward VIII of England. Assistant to treasurer of General Motors, 1920s. Made fortune in stock market in 1929. After years on Wall Street, won acclaim of financial world in a proxy battle to gain control of and modernize New York Central Railroad. In this fight, enlisted aid of Texas friends Clint Murchison and Sid Richardson. Until 1939, retained banking interests in Canadian. Was a lifelong member of Presbyterian church here. Remembered native state with gifts of rare papers to University of Texas. Restored an historic local burial ground, naming it "Edith Ford Cemetery," to honor an aunt who reared him after early death of his mother. Maintained close ties (in visits, hunting trips, correspondence) with people known in boyhood. (1967)

Robert R. Young is a historical marker in Canadian, Hemphill County, dedicated in 1967. It is one of 31 historical markers documented in Hemphill County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 33 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 35.9233, -100.3769 near Canadian. The nearest cataloged historic site is Hemphill County (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Canadian River Trails, Tom T. McGee, and Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5211004289. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.