Young, Joshua W.

YOUNG, MCFARLAND, MILLIKIN, COATS, CLAGG, CRABTREE, LENHARD, HOLT, HODGKIN

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 4/3/2011 at 14:42:13

History of Hamilton County, Iowa, 1912, J.W.Lee, vol. II, p. 167.

Joshua W. Young is living retired in Webster City but for many years was an active factor in its business circles, and the record which he made in commercial connections is one that reflects credit and honor upon the city as well as upon himself. He has never deviated from the course which he believed to be right between himself and his fellowmen and, basing his principles and actions upon the relations which govern strict and unswerving integrity and industry, he gradually advanced until he gained a position of prominence and prosperity in the business world. He was born November 30, 1843, in Lamoine, Hancock county, Maine, the son of Stephen and Betsey (McFarland) Young. The father was throughout his life a ship carpenter of Maine, and died in 1890, when he was eighty-five years of age. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1874, when sixty-four years of age.

Joshua W. Young pursued his education in the public schools of the Pine Tree state during the winter seasons and at the age of fifteen years started out in life on his own account by following the sea. He engaged in fishing along the Maine coast and off Newfoundland, for several years but in 1873 became a house carpenter and shipjoiner, which trades he followed until 1880. That year witnessed his arrival in Webster City, where he entered the lumber yard of F. D. Young, who though of the same name was not a relative. The following year he returned to New England and after two months brought his wife and children to Hamilton county. He then again entered the employ of Mr. Young, with whom he continued for a year, when he engaged in the contracting business on his own account. In 1884, however, the lumberyard of F. D. Young was destroyed by fire and at that time Joshua W. Young entered into partnership wit his former employer for the conduct of the lumber business under the firm style of F. D. & J. W. Young. This relation was maintained pleasantly and profitably until 1895, when Joshua W. Young purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone until 1908, when he sold out to his son Calvin and C. H. Clifton, who are now conducting the business under the firm name of Young & Clifton. The father then retired from active business connections save for the management which he gives to his invested interests. He is a director of the First National Bank of Webster City. His life has indeed been well spent, bringing to him success as the reward of earnest and intelligently directed effort.

Mr. Young has been married twice. At Ellsworth, Maine, on the 16th of January, 1866, he wedded Miss Margaret A. Millikin, a daughter of John and Rosilla (Coats) Millikin, of Hancock county, Maine. Her father was a prominent farmer there and a very influential citizen. He represented his district in both the house and state senate of the general assembly and was active in shaping useful legislation for the commonwealth. He died in 1890, while his wife survived until 1892. The death of Mrs. Young occurred February 2, 1899, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to her many friends as well as her immediate family. There were four children of that marriage : Calvin, who wedded Grace Clagg and is well known in business circles as senior partner of the lumber firm of Young & Clifton of Webster City; Ethel, the wife of Seth W. Crabtree, of Newport, Washington; Martha, who is the wife of Lewis Lenhard, of the firm of Cash and Lenhard, of Webster City, and Earl R., also living in Newport, Washington. In 1903 Mr. Young was again married, his second union being with Mrs. R. T. Holt, a daughter of F. D. Hodgkin, of Hancock county, Maine. By her first marriage she had one son, Frank D. Holt, now a student in the Iowa State College at Ames.

Mr. Young has ever been recognized as a man worthy of high trust and this fact is further indicated in that Kendall Young, not a relative, named him executor in his will. As stated, he had full charge of all of the affairs of the Kendall Young estate and supervision of his bequest to the Webster City Library and its endowment, and is still a member of the board of library trustees. He belongs to the Christian Science church and to several other organizations, including Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; Hope Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest; Triune Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of which he is a past eminent commander; Sharon Chapter, No. 148, O. E. S., of which he became a charter member and its first worthy patron ; and Iowa Consistory, No. 3, A. A. S. R., of Des Moines, in which he attained the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, and Za-Ga-Zig Temple of the Mystic Shrine, also at Des Moines. His political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and his opinions are the result of careful study and investigation into the vital questions and issues of the day. For six years he was a member of the Webster City school board and for two terms he was the chief executive officer of the city. His record as mayor is highly commendable, indicating his loyalty to and deep interest in everything pertaining to municipal advancement.

In his business career Mr. Young always employed constructive methods, building his interests upon a safe, substantial basis of energy, close application and careful management. He was never known to take advantage of the interests of another and his upright dealing, reasonable prices and earnest efforts to please his patrons brought to him a continuous and growing patronage. From this he derived a substantial income year by year until he was in a financial position to retire and is now enjoying a well earned rest with leisure for those activities which are of greatest interest to him.