Biography - John Young
JOHN W. YOUNG. The agricultural interests of Montgomery County are ably represented by the subject of this sketch, a man whose life has been passed in the calling which now receives his attention. He is a native born resident of the county, his birth occurring on the 18th of July, 1834, and has witnessed the complete growth of the country. He has ever been an active supporter of all laudable enterprises and is one of the county's best men. He is a son of William Young, who for many years was one of the esteemed and respected citizens of Montgomery County.
Our subject was the second in order of birth of the children born to his parents and passed his boyhood and youth in his native county, assisting his father in cultivating the soil, thus becoming familiar with all the details of farm life at an early age. Like the majority of country boys, he received his education in the district school and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. At that age he began business for himself, but worked the farm for his father, and bought stock, traded horses, branching out as a stock-dealer. In March, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary E. Brown, a native of East Fork Township, Montgomery County, and the daughter of Harrison Brown.
Following his marriage, our subject located on the farm where he now lives. He is now the owner of six hundred, and twenty-seven acres of land, all under cultivation except a portion which is in pasture. On this place he has a neat residence and substantial outbuildings. He has ever been identified with the best interests of the county, and his intelligence, enterprise and many estimable qualities have acquired for him a popularity not derived from any factitious circumstance, but a spontaneous and permanent tribute to his merit. He ships stock to all parts of the country, and annually sends out seventy-five carloads of cattle, horses and hogs. At the present time, he has ninety-five head of cattle and many horses and hogs. He is the oldest stock-buyer in the county, and ships largely to Buffalo, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Cleveland. He ships about twenty carloads of hay per year, and is one of the most thorough-going, wide-awake agriculturists of his section. His present residence, a two-story frame building, was erected in 1870, and everything about the place indicates that a practiced hand is at the helm.
Mr. and Mrs. Young were the parents of three sons and one daughter, as follows: William H., Clement (deceased), Gertie and Orvil B. The three surviving children are at home. Mr. Young has passed his entire life in this county, and here, surrounded by peace and plenty, and with his children near, he will pass the remainder of his days. He and his wife have contributed liberally to all worthy enterprises and are among the most influential and respected citizens in the community. In politics, he is a Democrat, and a strong supporter of his party. He has held many public offices, among them those of Supervisor of East Fork Township and School Director. He is a member of Donnellson Lodge No. 255, A. F. & A. M., and takes an active interest in that order.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 310-311.
