The widow of our subject, Mrs. Elizabeth Young, was born in Clark County, Ky., April 4, 1822, and lived there until about ten years old, when she was brought by her parents to Illinois. Her father selected a tract of land, north of the present site of Winchester, some years before there were any indications of a town. Her early educational advantages were exceedingly limited, but she was carefully trained in all useful housewifely duties, and at the age of eighteen years became the wife of Mr. Young, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride, March 4, 1841. Mr. Young was likewise a native of the Blue Grass State, and came with his father's family to what is now Scott County in his youth.
After their marriage Mr. And Mrs. Young commenced life together in a modest manner on a farm, and worked their way steadily upward to a good position, socially and financially. Mr. Young, personally, was what might be called a good man in the broadest sense of the term, kindly, generous and hospitable, who made for himself scores of friends. He was ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, and his whole career was distinguished by those qualities which made him beloved and revered by all with whom he came in contact. He rounded up the ripe old age of seventy-six years, nine months and twenty-three days, departing hence on the 12th of April, 1889. Not only was he deeply mourned by his whole family and immediate relatives, but by the whole community, wherein his influence had been nothing but good.
To Mr. and Mrs. Young there were born nine children, six of whom are living. Mary is the wife of Patrick O'Donnell, and they have eleven children, nine of whom are living, viz: Johnie, Lizzie, Olive, Mary Ann, Nellie, Charles, Thomas, Lilly, and Susie. Miss Susie Young, together with Robert and Annie, remain at home with their mother. The fourth child was an infant, who died unnamed. George married Miss Mary Mouldridge, and they have two children - Joe, and an infant unnamed. This son lives on a part of the farm. Emma married William McLaughlin, became the mother of one child, who died and she died in 1876. Miss Olive Young died when an interesting young lady of twenty-two years; Charles married Miss Alice Fletcher, and is the father of two children - Hardin and Percy.
The young homestead is considered one of the most valuable in this part of Scott County. It is embellished with good buildings, and supplied with all the machinery for carrying on agriculture in the most profitable manner. The family represents in a high degree the worth and respectability of Scott County.