George C. YOUNGS, editor and proprietor of the Mining News, Florence, Florence county, was born September 17, 1850, in Union City, Branch Co., Mich., and is a son of M. L. and Charity (Strong) Youngs, who were born in New York State, and came in an early day to Branch county, Michigan.

M. L. Youngs is a very prominent man. He is Masonic Grand Lecturer for Wisconsin, and has been for thirty years; is Past Grand Master of the Lodge, and is associated in the publication of the Masonic Tidings at Milwaukee.   He married Charity Strong, and they had four children, namely: Lina, who was the wife of Capt. Wilson Vance, and died in 1871 at De Pere, Wis.; Nettie, now Mrs. W. P. Kenny, of Milwaukee, Wis.; Fred M., who resides in Omaha, and is superintendent of the press rooms of the Omaha Bee, first vice-president of the Pressmen's National Association, and interested with George C. in the Mining News at Florence; and George C., who was the second child in the family, and is the subject proper of these lines.  M. L. Youngs has resided in Milwaukee since 1856.  His wife, Charity, died in 1861, and he was married again in Milwaukee, this time to Louise Gordon.

George C. Youngs was reared in Milwaukee, educated in the public schools of that city, and after leaving school was a steward on the lakes through the season of navigation, working at the printer's trade in Starr's job office in Milwaukee in the winter, and for some time was employed on the old Milwaukee News.  On July 5, 1871, he was united in marriage, in Milwaukee, with Jennie Williamson and they have had four children, all sons, as follows: Melvin P., foreman of the Marquette Mining Journal; Wilson C., railway mail clerk from Appleton to Antigo, Wis.; Merwin W., attending high school; and Chase O., at school.

Mr. Youngs commenced as compositor on the Evening Wisconsin in 1872, held cases on that paper for ten years, until 1882, was engaged as a reporter until 1887, in which year he resigned and came to Florence, Wis., where he has since been connected with the Mining News. This paper was founded in 1880 by J. F. Atkinson, continuing under his management until 1883, and then passing into the hands of Osborn & Toner.  About 1885 Chase S. Osborn became sole proprietor, and in 1887 the paper was purchased by Campbell & Youngs, the Youngs Brothers becoming proprietors in 1888, since when George C. Youngs has been editor and manager.  The Mining News is provided with the latest equipments, is the official paper of the county, independent in politics, and has an extended circulation.

Since coming here, in 1887, Mr. Youngs has seen quite a change in this part of Wisconsin.  He is a member of Fisher Lodge, No. 222, F. & A. M., has been W. M. of the Lodge, and is now Senior Warden; he is also a member of Badger Tent, No. 12, K. O. T. M., and commander in 1890 and 1896.