YOUNG, William John 1827-1896

YOUNG, ELDERKIN, HANCOCK, WILSON, HERSHEY, AMES

Posted By: Michael Kearney (email)
Date: 8/1/2002 at 23:12:11

The Clinton Herald Tuesday June 9, 1896 W.J. Young, the well-known lumberman of the Mississippi valley, and one of Clinton's most influential citizens, died Monday afternoon at 4:40, at the residence on Seventh avenue. He had been unwell for the past four years, and since his return from the South about two months ago he had been confined to the house. The funeral services will be held at the family residence Thursday morning at 10:30. The body will be interred in Springdale. Those persons who so desire may have the opportunity of seeing the remains Wednesday afternoon, at the house, from three to five. The story of the growth of Clinton and the progress of W.J. Young in his life work are so intimately associated that the one is almost that of the other. Mr. Young's history, however, includes that of Clinton. To him more than to any other man, is Clinton indebted. His generous hand and the influence he wielded were ever enlisted in the city's behalf. No one can fill his place. For all time will Clinton miss him. William John Young was born in Belfast, Ireland, February 27, 1827, and came to America in 1846. He was not supplied with riches when he began the struggle for existence. What he accumulated in later years came to him won by honest endeavor and rugged persistence. He earned what he gained. He came to Clinton in 1858, on June 7th. Previous to this he was general freight agent of the Cincinnati, Logansport & Chicago railroad. On coming to Clinton, he opened a lumber yard to handle the goods turned out by the Ohio Mill company, at LaCrosse, Wisconsin. This undertaking prospered, and with his farseeing shrewdness and business instincts, he determined a mill should be erected at Clinton. In May, 1860, the foundation was laid for the new structure. By August 15 the mill was running. The short space required in the completion of the scheme is indicative of Mr. Young's indomitable energy. In 1866 the great mill, the largest in the country, was begun, and finished within a year. All up and down the Mississippi is the name of W.J. Young well known. Wherever the raft boats penetrate, nay, more, wherever the lumber industry has even the slightest foothold, this is true. Mr. Young it was how introduced the present method of towing rafts. Formerly they were floated down, guided by sweeps. In 1865 the Clinton lumberman made the experiment of pushing the rafts by steamers, and practically revolutionized the industry by the saving of time and expense. This plan did away with the numerous pooins and ropes necessary to hold together the logs, for now they are enclosed in a boom. Thus were born the brail rafts of today. To man with the ingenuity and fine sense of Mr. Young, nothing was impossible, and his rise was rapid. His investments increased, and he became a rich man. He married Miss Esther Elderkin in 1858, in Richmond, Indiana. She survives him. The children are: Mrs. Esther Young Wilson of Chicago, Mrs. Charles T. Hancock of Dubuque, Miss Jane Young, William John, Jr., Courtland Hershey, and Edward Ames. Those who knew the father in out---must also know what a kind --- and indulgent parent he was. No man could have gained greater respect and love from his associates and the citizen body alike. There are so many instances of his goodness. It was his princely donations that gave to Clinton the Y ------ building on Fifth avenue and --- outright. The beautiful --- chapel of the M.E. church ---- so grand an influence in the --- field, was a grant from Mr. Young. When the Methodist church at Lyons was built, the congregation was surprised and delighted to ---- Young a ---- entirely unsolicited --- at Mt. Vernon -- by a bountiful gift ---- hand. To his --- Mr. Young was a father --- knows how many needy and --- helped from this ---- good. Mr. Young --- of his men suffer from --- there was really not --- keep all busy, work --- winter time his eye --- out the poor who --- did not aid them. This --- offered in so courteous --- could not be refused. --- gentleman in the --- He was unos--- In word and --- the refinement that --- nature. His fine -- features dis -- he might be. -- popular a man -- all these -- closely --- ness inter --- or in 1864. -- president of the -- and a director --- national bank. -- intimately -- institutions, and --- nce to every --- it in good. No --- or made to W.J. Young. Three --- Mr. Young closed his great -- since then they have run --- special orders. He also disposed of his interests in the Mississippi River Logging company, in which he was a leading factor. Out of respect to his memory, on the day of the funeral the banks will be closed and very probably the business houses.