JOHN A. YOUNG, one of the most prominent and prosperous agriculturists of Schuyler county, resides on section 21, Buena Vista township. The following space will be devoted to a brief biography of which he is the subject. He was born in Schuyler county, on the farm which he now occupies, June 14, 1832, a son of John Young, a native of Ireland; the paternal grandparents were John and Margaret Young. John Young emigrated to America when a young man, and stopped for a time in Philadelphia; thence he continued his journey to the West, and after locating in Rushville he sent for his parents; they left their native land, crossed the sea, and made a home in the new world; they now reside in Buena Vista township, at a good old age. There were born to them three sons and two daughters: John, William K., Alexander, Margaret and Elizabeth. The father of John A. Young was married at Rushville to a daughter of Hugh McCreary, a native of Ireland, who came to America aboard the same ship as her husband, and it was on this voyage that they met. He died in early life, the date being February 8, 1835; he was a farmer, and had entered land in Buena Vista township; the wife died June 14, 1883; they had two children: James M. died in infancy; John A. is the only surviving member of the family. During his boyhood days he lived with his mother and relatives; from early childhood he was self-sustaining, working for his board; he attended school until sixteen years of age, and then settled with his mother on the homestead that had been entered by his father. In 1852 he went to California, making the journey overland, and remained on the Pacific coast six years; he was engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits, and was reasonably successful. He returned via the Isthmus and New York city; he made a visit to relatives in Philadelphia, and then came to his old home. Here he resumed agricultural pursuits, making many improvements in the way of erecting buildings; his mother resided with him until her death.

The homestead originally consisted of 130 acres, twenty acres of which Mr. Young sold to raise the money to go to California. He now owns 580 acres in one body, well stocked, and in a high state of cultivation. He gives especial attention to the breeding of livestock, and has a fine herd of short-horns, and some horses of excellent pedigree.

Mr. Young was united in marriage October 13, 1869, to Miss Mary L. Clark, a daughter of Rev. John Clark; she was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, April 1, 1847, and died May 15, 1878; she was the mother of four children: Carl C., born August 9, 1870, is in the employ of the Illinois Steel Company; Anna F., born August 3, 1872, is a student at De Pauw University, Greencastle, Indiana; Sarah E., born August 23, 1874, and James H., December 10, 1876. Mr. Young was married a second time, November 24, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth DeWitt; she was born at Littleton, Schuyler county, May 22, 1855; five children were born of this union: one died in infancy; Mary was born September 19, 1882; John D., April 5, 1884; Dwight M., September 28, 1885; Ellen L., April 16, 1888. Mrs. Young is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In addition to the business interests already mentioned, Mr. Young has investments in real estate in Duluth and other points; he is also a stockholder in the Bank of Rushville, and is one of the directors of the same. Politically he is identified with the Republican party; he has been Supervisor of his township, but his private affairs have so taken his time that public office has not been sought. He is a man of broad intelligence, and the strictly honorable methods he has employed in his business career has won him the entire confidence and respect of the community.