JohnA. Young
JOHN A. YOUNG, one of the most prominentand prosperous agriculturists of Schuyler county, resides on section 21,Buena Vista township. The following space will be devoted to a brief biographyof which he is the subject. He was born in Schuyler county, on the farmwhich he now occupies, June 14, 1832, a son of John Young, a native ofIreland; the paternal grandparents were John and Margaret Young. John Youngemigrated to America when a young man, and stopped for a time in Philadelphia;thence he continued his journey to the West, and after locating in Rushvillehe sent for his parents; they left their native land, crossed the sea,and made a home in the new world; they now reside in Buena Vista township,at a good old age. There were born to them three sons and two daughters:John, William K., Alexander, Margaret and Elizabeth. The father of JohnA. Young was married at Rushville to a daughter of Hugh McCreary, a nativeof Ireland, who came to America aboard the same ship as her husband, andit was on this voyage that they met. He died in early life, the date beingFebruary 8, 1835; he was a farmer, and had entered land in Buena Vistatownship; the wife died June 14, 1883; they had two children: James M.died in infancy; John A. is the only surviving member of the family. Duringhis boyhood days he lived with his mother and relatives; from early childhoodhe was self-sustaining, working for his board; he attended school untilsixteen years of age, and then settled with his mother on the homesteadthat had been entered by the father. In 1852 he went to California, makingthe journey overland, and remained on the Pacific coast six years; he wasengaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits, and was reasonably successful.He returned via the Isthmus and New York city; he made a visit to relativesin Philadelphia, and then came to his old home. Here he resumed agriculturalpursuits, making many improvements in the way of erecting buildings; hismother resided with him until her death.The homestead originally consisted of 130acres, twenty acres of which Mr. Young sold to raise the money to go toCalifornia. He now owns 580 acres in one body, well stocked, and in a highstate of cultivation. He gives especial attention to the breeding of livestock,and has a fine herd of short-horns, and some horses of excellent pedigree.
Mr. Young was united in marriage October13, 1869, to Miss Mary L. Clark, a daughter of Rev. John Clark; she wasborn in Schuyler county, Illinois, April 1, 1847, and died May 15, 1878;she was the mother of four children: Carl C., born August 9, 1870, is inthe employ of the Illinois Steel Company; Anna F., born August 3, 1872,is a student at De Pauw University, Greencastle, Indiana; Sarah E., bornAugust 23, 1874, and James H., December 10, 1876. Mr. Young was marrieda second time, November 24, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth DeWitt, a daughterof James and Ellen (Little) DeWitt; she was born at Littleton, Schuylercounty, May 22, 1855; five children were born of this union: one died ininfancy; Mary was born September 19, 1882; John D., April 5, 1884; DwightM., September 28, 1885; Ellen L., April 16, 1888. Mrs. Young is a consistentmember of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In addition to the business interests alreadymentioned, Mr. Young has investments in real estate in Duluth and otherpoints; he is also a stockholder in the Bank of Rushville, and is one ofthe directors of the same. Politically he is identified with the Republicanparty; he has been Supervisor of his township, but his private affairshave so taken his time that public office has not been sought. He is aman of broad intelligence, and the strictly honorable methods he has employed.In his business career has won him the entire confidence and respect ofthe community.
Biographical Review of Cass, Schuylerand Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago,1892, pages 231-232.
Copyright1999-2006 Judi Gilker; all rights reserved. For personal use only.Commercial use of the information contained in these pages is strictlyprohibited without prior permission. If copied, this copyright must appearwith the information.
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