William E. Young 1844-1905

YOUNG, LAMB, POOKE

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 6/22/2002 at 08:31:49

1911 Wolf's History of Clinton p. 662-663
Among the highly honored and well remembered residents of Clinton, Iowa, of a past generation, was William E. Young, whose successful and praiseworthy career has been brought to a close, but whose influence still pervades the lives of those who knew him best, for he was a man who delighted in doing good to others and assisting his neighbors and friends to succeed while laboring for his own advancement. He became well and most favorably known throughout the county and is eminently deserving of conspicuous mention in the history of this locality. William E. Young was a native of the old Empire state, from whence came so many of the sterling citizens to the new commonwealth of the West. His birth occurred in Syracuse, New York, November 16, 1844, and when he was eleven years of age he was brought to the West by his father, Joseph Crassett Young, now deceased, long one of Clinton county's prominent citizens, a full sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. The Young family has figured conspicuously in the affairs of Clinton from the year they first settled here, 1835, to the present time, always ready to do their full duty as citizens and they justly earned the rewards that always come to the diligent and worthy. William E. Young received such education as he could in the schools of his time and in 1855 he located in Clinton, Iowa, with his father, whose grocery store he entered as a clerk upon reaching manhood, and soon became familiar with the business, his courtesy and energy doing much to build up a large trade with the town and surrounding country. Later he became associated with the late Amos G. Ewing and they successfully conducted a grocery store on Second street. In the year 1879, Mr. Young entered the employ of C. Lamb & Sons, and was identified with the firm in a responsible capacity until his death. He was a man of large business interests and was a supporter of his home city, though his disposition was quiet and reserved and he did not take a prominent part in political or municipal affairs. He was one of those stanch and sterling citizens who was of inestimable value to the community. He made friends easily, and thus in his long residence in Clinton came to be known as one of her most infulential citizens. He had been in failing health for some time prior to his death, but he bore his sufferings manfully and was never heard to complain. Mr. Young was a member of the Masonic order, blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and of the Clinton lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He was a member of the Wapsipinicon club. In all these he was active and prominent. On December 25, 1869, William E. Young was married to Emma E. Lamb, daughter of C. Lamb, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Young survives, and she is a favorite with a host of warm friends and acquaintances owning to her many commendable attributes. She is the mother of one child, a daughter, Grace, born December 29, 1872, who received a good education and has long been popular in the best social circles. She married M.B. Poole, a well known citizen here, whose death occurred in April 1907.