Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Peter Young
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
PETER YOUNG. A detailed history of the life of this gentleman would be interesting reading for one who wished to learn what can be accomplished in the field of agriculture without speculation, by a man who is industrious, prudent and energetic. A score of years ago, he came to the West a poor man and now owns some of the most valuable property in Northern Kansas. His farm is situated in Clay County, and comprises land on sections 29, 30, 31 and 32 of Mulberry Township. It is located on the first and second bottoms of the Republican River Valley and is one of the finest farms in that valley or indeed in the State.
Mr. Young was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Nov. 1, 1844, being a member of an old German family. He lived on his father's farm until fifteen years of age, when, with an older sister, Christina, he came to the United States. They took passage at Hamburg, Germany, in April, 1861, and landed in the American metropolis after a short and pleasant voyage. They went directly to Jo Daviess County, III., where our subject made his home for nine years, working around as a laborer most of the time, except when he was serving Uncle Sam as a soldier.
In the fall of 1863, being then but seventeen years old, Mr. Young enlisted in Company I, 8th Illinois Cavalry, in which he served as a private until the close of the war. His army life extended
over a period of about two years, during which time he was able to report for duty every day. He saw little hard fighting, being out mostly on scout duty. He passed through the stirring and often solitary scenes, without receiving a wound, and also escaped capture. He was honorably discharged at Chicago, Ill., in June, 1865, and returned to the county in which he had previously lived, and where a few mouths later he attained his majority.
Mr. Young remained in Illinois until September, 1869, when he came with his family to this State. He took a homestead claim of 160 acres, which forms a part of his present estate, located on section 32, and upon which he proceeded to make improvements. He subsequently purchased the other three quarters, which he has improved mostly himself. His present residence is on section 31, and is a commodious and well designed structure. Mr. Young has fed and fatted large droves of swine and herds of cattle, and in the business of farming and stock-raising has become very wealthy. The most of his 640 acre estate is highly improved, and he boasts of never having had a failure of crops on his land.
Mr. Young has been twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Caroline Webber and was born in Wurtemburg, Germany. She came to the United States alone in 1866. and settled in Jo Daviess County, Ill., where she and Mr. Young were subsequently married. Her death occurred at their home in this county in 1881, she being thirty-seven years of age. Her union with Mr. Young had resulted in the birth of three children: Henry, Sophia, and Louisa, all now at home.
The second matrimonial alliance of Mr. Young, also took place in Jo Daviess County, Ill. The bride was Miss Rachael Bahr, a native of that county, her birth having taken place in 1859. Her father, Henry Bahr, was born and grew to manhood in Saxony, Germany, whence he came to the United States. He made his home in Illinois, and was there married to Margaret Winter, who was also a German. When a young woman she came to the United States, and is yet living in Jo Daviess County, being now ripe in years. Mr. Bahr died in that county in 1886, having passed the age of sixty-six years. Mrs. Rachael Young was reared in her native county, and remained with her parents until her marriage. She is the mother of four children, George, John, Philip, and Margaret.
The parents of our subject were Jacob and Elizabeth (Fauth) Young, both of whom were natives of Hesse-Darmstadt. The father was engaged in farming. The mother died in her native land about the year 1877, being then seventy years of age. The father survived ten years, and was gathered to his fathers when a little past four-score years. Their family wns made up of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living, are married and have families. Three of them now reside in the United States. The gentleman whose name heads this notice was the third child in the parental family.
Mr. Young belongs to McClellan Post 386, G. A. R. of Morganville. He is a Republican of the most decided character, never failing to support the party by his vote and voice. He has been Township Treasurer for several years and has held various other local offices, performing the duties of the same in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Presbyterian Church, with which denomination the former wife of Mr. Young was also identified.
A view of Mr. Young's residence embellishes another page and with its surroundings indicates to what good purpose the proprietor has labored to provide himself and family with all the comforts of life.