HENRY YUNG (Dec. 16, 1869–Feb. 16, 1904)
Henry Yung was a Newark fireman who died in the line of duty in the early morning hours of Feb. 16, 1904, a Tuesday.
According to news accounts of the day, Yung, 35, was a member of Hose Co. No. 1 and responded to a fire at the bicycle track in the Vailsburg section of Newark, spelled Vailsburgh at the time.
The fire was reported at about 1:30 am by a Newark police officer who’d been patrolling nearby on South Orange Avenue.
Members of Hose Co. No. 1 were the first firefighters to arrive at the scene and, by that time, the fire was well under way.
Yung was killed instantly when burning timbers from the track’s pavilion collapsed and crushed him. The cause of death was listed as a compound fracture of the skull.
The loss was estimated at around $3,000 (more than $100,000 in 2026 money), and that figure included damage to the venue’s wooden racetrack.
Newark was a major stop on America’s bicycle racing circuit before and after the turn of the twentieth century, and several top racers called the city their home.
No other firemen were hurt in the blaze, and no cause of the fire was listed.
A native of Germany, Yung was an eight-year veteran of the fire department. The account of the tragedy in the Newark Evening News reported he was “popular and looked upon as a daring fireman.”
Yung was also said to be an expert japaneer, a craftsman who decorates objects with glossy lacquer or heavy varnish.
Yung was married to the former Augusta Feitsinger and the couple had one child, 10-year-old Harry. The family lived on Rodwell Avenue, not far from the bicycle track.
Young’s body was taken to his home after it was recovered and a funeral was held there two days later. The service was conducted by a clergyman from Newark’s German Lutheran Church.
To commemorate Yung’s death, flags in Newark were lowered to half-staff and the city’s fire headquarters was draped in black.
Guy Sterling
July 2026
Article and research by Guy Sterling.
NJ State Exempts Firemen’s Flag supplied by Ridgefield Fire Chief Scott Russo.
Photo enhancement Glenn Blank.
Woodland 