J. G. Young

YOUNG, HASSIG, MOULTON

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 5/5/2010 at 19:51:40

History of Jackson County, Iowa, James W. Ellis, 1910.

J. G. YOUNG.

Without sensational or exciting chapters, the life history of J. G. Young was such as inspired the admiration and respect of his contemporaries and associates. He lived quietly, true to every manly principle, dealing justly with his fellows and standing firmly in support of all those measures which he believed would prove of benefit to his community, his state and his country. The village of Nackenheim, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, was his birthplace, and the day of his nativity was September 28, 1838. He remained a resident of the fatherland until eighteen years of age, when he heard and heeded the call of the western world. The stories which had reached him concerning the opportunities of America proved too alluring for him to remain longer in Germany and, crossing the Atlantic, he settled in Galena. Two years later he came to Bellevue, then a young man of twenty years. Time passed, until more than fifty years had been added to the cycle of the centuries, and still Mr. Young continued a resident of this place, closely and honorably identified with its business interests, with its public life and with those projects which constituted forces in its upbuilding and development. He first learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of Frank Schlecht, one of the early and well known builders and contractors. In 1860 ht went to St. Louis and Memphis, where he was employed in the line of his trade, but in 1861 returned to Bellevue. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south, noting the threatening attitude of the section of country below the Mason and Dixon line, and had resolved that if a blow was struck to overthrow the Union he would strike one in its defense. Fort Sumter was fired upon in April, and in May, 1861, Mr. Young enlisted in response to President Lincoln's call for seventy-five thousand volunteers. That quota, however, was soon filled and the company organized at Bellevue was not accepted. Shortly afterward, however, came the call for three hundred thousand men, for it had been proven that the war was to be a prolonged contest. Mr. Young then enlisted as a member of Company I, Fifth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for three years. His was the fourth company to go to the front from Jackson county and he did valiant service until mustered out at Chattanooga, August 6, 1865. He participated in all of the engagements of his regiment, including the battles at New Madrid, Corinth, luka, Raymond, Jackson, Champion's Hill, Vicksburg and Missionary Ridge. After receiving his discharge Mr. Young paid a brief visit to his Iowa home and then returned south to Nashville, where he was employed by the government in construction work. He was present at the battle of Nashville with General Thomas, working on breastworks. In the spring of 1865 he went to Huntsville, Alabama, and was employed by the government in the car shops there until the close of the war.
Mr. Young returned home in 1867 and, like many of the soldier boys, soon sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey that he might establish a home of his own. He was married on the 27th of January of that year to Miss Christina Hassig, and to them were born two sons and two daughters, all yet living: George, Minnie, Joseph and Mrs. M. W. Moulton, all of Bellevue. Mr. and Mrs. Young began their domestic life in Huntsville, Alabama, but in the fall of 1867 returned to Bellevue, where the family home has since been maintained. In 1876 Mr. Young joined Theo Stampfer in the hardware business, under the firm style of Stampfer & Young, and after the death of the senior partner continued the business alone. At the time of his own demise he was the oldest hardware merchant in this city. He had always carried a large and well selected line of goods and a spirit of enterprise and determination actuated him in all that he undertook and won for him a substantial measure of success, while the
name of Young came to be regarded as a synonym for business integrity in Bellevue.
While his business made large demands upon his time and attention, Mr. Young also found opportunity for cooperating in projects for Bellevue's upbuilding and advancement, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth, frequently called him to public office. He was at one time a member of the city council, was president of the board of education for a number of years and in the discharge of every public duty was found prompt, reliable and efficient. At the time of his death he was a member of the Jackson County Soldiers Relief Commission and at all times was interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the old soldiers. He wore the little bronze G. A. R. button and was always glad of the opportunity which he had had of serving his adopted land in her hour of need. He was the oldest Mason in Bellevue, having joined the order soon after the close of the war, and was regarded as a most exemplary representative of the craft. He also belonged to the Harugari lodge, which flourished in Bellevue for a number of years. He passed away on the 3Oth of March, 1909, in the seventy- first year of his age, and the funeral services were conducted by the Masonic lodge. He had met with a fair degree of prosperity in his life but more than the comfortable competence which he left to his family was the priceless heritage of an untarnished record and an example that is well worthy of emulation. He was devoted to his family, faithful in friendship, honorable in business and loyal in citizenship, and what higher encomium could be pronounced upon any man?