Among the prominent stock-raisers of Decatur county is William Hamilton YOUNG, who owns and operates three hundred and eighty-five acres of excellent land in Richland township. He was born in that township on the 29th of September, 1854. His father, John D. YOUNG, was a native of Indiana and came of German ancestry. He removed to Decatur county, Iowa, with his parents, John L. and Judy A. YOUNG, and the grandfather of our subject entered from the government two hundred and forty acres of land on section 22, Richland township, and two hundred and sixty acres on section 33, which was totally unimproved when it came into his possession. The first thing that he did after entering it was to erect a log cabin, which remained the family residence for several years. As time passed he brought his land under cultivation and in the course of years his place became highly developed and well improved.
John D. YOUNG built a cabin on the farm on section 22 and at once began cultivating the land. He became a prosperous farmer and an influential citizen and passed the remainder of his life on his farm. He was a democrat in politics, as was his father before him, and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. He died on the 12th of February, 1909, when in his seventy-ninth year. His wife, who bore the name of Catherine WARRICK, was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Robert and Martha (HATFIELD) WARRICK. Her father, who was also a farmer by occupation, emigrated to Iowa in 1852 and located in Doyle township, Clarke county, becoming a very successful farmer and highly esteemed citizen of his community. He served in the Union army during the Civil war and while at the front contracted a disease which eventually caused his death. His wife has also passed away. Mrs. YOUNG died in 1875 when thirty-six years of age. She was the mother of six children, namely: William H.; John L., who died about 1880, leaving a family; Robert and Martha J., both of whom died in infancy; Henry H., of Eaton, Colorado; and George W., a farmer of Morrill county, Nebraska.
William H. YOUNG was reared upon the home farm in Richland township and as a boy and youth attended the district school, thus acquiring a good education. He continued to assist his father with the work of the fields and the care of the stock for several years after putting aside his textbooks. Eventually he purchased a portion of the home farm and at the demise of his father he inherited one hundred and eighty acres. He has also acquired additional land and now owns in all three hundred and eighty-five acres in Richland township. He has always given special attention to stock-raising and breeds shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses and Poland china hogs, the sale of which yields him a good income. He also follows general farming and in both branches of his business is meeting with gratifying success.

On the 31st of December, 1874, Mr. YOUNG married Miss Nervesta EDWARDS, who was born in Richland township, on the 29th of October, 1855, of the marriage of Anderson and Armina EDWARDS, residents of Long Creek township. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. YOUNG: Luella, born January 10, 1879, is now the wife of Fred B. Bramon, of Delphis (sic, should be Delphos), Ringgold County, by whom she has four children; Nora C., born February 18, 1882, married Lloyd GILREATH, by whom she has four children; Carrie A., born October 1, 1885, is now the wife of J. L. MENDENHALL, a farmer of Franklin township [Decatur County], by whom she has four children; Frederick M., born February 22, 1887, is operating the home place. He married Miss Ruth WARD, a daughter of Daniel and Loretta WARD, and two children have been born to this union. Martha J., whose birth occurred on the 27th of October, 1890, is now the wife of Herbert JOHNSON (sic, should be Horace JOHNSTON), a farmer of Richland township.

Mr. YOUNG is a democrat and has held various township offices. His personal popularity in the county and the confidence which is placed in his integrity is attested by the fact that in 1900 he was elected county treasurer, although Decatur county is normally republican. He took his seat in January, 1901, and served for five years, holding over one year, due to a change in the election law. He proved a very efficient custodian of the funds and there was never the slightest doubt of his absolute honesty and trustworthiness. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and Odd Fellows, and in his life exemplifies the spirit of brotherhood which characterizes these orders.

NOTE: John L. YOUNG served under General Andrew JACKSON, participating in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. Robert WARRICK enlisted as a Private on July 28, 1862, from Hopeville, Clarke County, Iowa, and served with Company B of the 18th Iowa Infantry. He received a disability discharge on February 1, 1863 at St. Louis, Missouri.

SOURCES:
HOWELL, J. M. & CONOMAN, Heman. History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 101-03. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1915.

American Civil War Soldiers, ancestry.com

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009