Biographical Sketch of George S. Young, Holden, Johnson County, Missouri >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** George S. Young, a pioneer resident of Johnson county, former member of the State Legislature, successful real estate and loan operator of Hol- den, Missouri, is a native of Maryland. Mr. Young was born in Middle- town, Frederick county, Maryland on January 12, 1840. He comes of an old and distinguished American family, members of which have figured prominently in public affairs for more than two hundred years in Penn- sylvania, Maryland and Missouri. The parents of Judge Young were John and Eliza (Miller) Young, the former of whom was a native of Maryland and a son of Peter Young, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1742. John Young was a prosperous farmer and well known politician in his native state and he fought for America during the War of 1812. While he was active in political matters and wielded considerable influence in civic and political affairs, he could never be induced to hold office. Eliza (Miller) Young was born and reared in Maryland, a daughter of parents who were descended from early Virginia families, of colonial ancestry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Young spent their lives in Maryland and died there. They reared a family of four sons and three daughters, of whom the sub- ject of this sketch is the only survivor. George S. Young spent his early life in the cities of Baltimore, Washington, and Frederick and received a thorough classical education which has been of great benefit to him in carving out his successful career in his adopted state. Prior to the Civil War, he was engaged in the manufacture of sashes, doors, blinds, and furniture, work which even in those early days was done by machinery. Mr. Young was a skilled cabinet maker and carpenter, whose place of business was located at Middletown, Maryland before the Civil War. After the Civil War began, he located in the city of Washington and there followed his trade as carpenter and joiner being employed in the Government Navy Yards in the joiners' department during the war. While a resident of Washington, he was well acquainted with Montgomery Blair, at that time Postmaster General of the United States, whom he had known since his youth. Mr. Blair took a liking to the young man and offered him a government position in his department, notwithstand- ing the fact that Mr. Young was a Democrat in politics. Mr. Young became ill with typhoid fever in 1865 and the severe illness left him so physically debilitated that he came West to benefit his health in 1866 and located in Warrensburg, Missouri. He was so favorably impress- ed with the fine hospitality and friendliness of the people of this community that he decided to remain here and cast his lot with those who were striving to build up Johnson county. This was a decision that Judge Young has never had cause to regret and the feeling which he has always had for the people of this county has been mutual, his abilities and high sense of honor having received signal recognition from this same people on many occasions, during his more than 50 years residence in this county. In the same year, which witnessed this old pioneer's advent into Missouri, he located permanently in Holden and established there a wholesale and retail furniture business which he conducted very successfully for a period of fifteen years, failing health eventually compelling him to relinquish the business to other hands. His method of doing business was to purchase goods from the furniture factories in carload lots and then dispose of same to retail dealers. He was one of the pioneer furniture dealers of Johnson county and also conducted an undertaking establishment in connection with his furniture business. After disposing of his mercantile establishment. Mr Young engaged in the real estate and loan business and also conducted a general insurance business until 1892, when he followed farming for a period of ten years. In 1901, he again returned to Holden from the farm and has since been a resident of this city, where he is now capably filling the office of justice of the peace. Judge Young was married at Baltimore, Maryland, March 21, 1866 to Estelle V. Hyatt, of Maryland, and to this union have been born the following children: Mrs. Daisy L. Boggs, Holden, Mo.; Blanche, resides at home with her parents; John H., St. Louis, Missouri; George S., a railroad man living at Sedalia, Missouri; and Helen, at Nevada, Missouri. Judge Young has always been a Democrat, although his father before him was a Republican in politics. He has been active in the affairs of his party and was elected a member of the Missouri State Legislature in 1900, and re-elected in 1902. While a member of the state legislature, he served on the World's Fair Committee, Mines and Mining, and others. He was always keenly alive to safeguarding the best interests of his constituents and of the people of Missouri, and his career in the Legislative body of the state was an honorable and worthy one. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace in 1914 for a term of four years, has been twice mayor of Holden, and has served as a member of the city council and of the school board. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================