GEORGE H. YOUNG.

GEORGE H. YOUNG.—The record of George H. Young is that of a conscientious man who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. He has passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey and although the snows of many winters have whitened his hair he has the vigor of a much younger man and in spirits and interests seems yet in his prime. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness and inactivity. It need not suggest, as a matter of course, want of occupation or helplessness. There is an old age that is a benediction to all that come in contact with it, that gives out of its rich stores of experience and is thus a benefit to others. Such is the life of Mr. Young, an encouragement to his associates and an example well worthy of emulation to those who are but starting out on life's journey.

He was born in Stokes county, North Carolina, October 24, 1817, a son of Robert and Mary (Astrop) Young, the former a native of the Old North state, while the latter was born in Culpeper county, Virginia. He died in December, 1857, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife survived him until 1864, passing away at the age of seventy-five. Nine children were born to them but only three are now living: Anna, who resides in North Carolina, at the age of ninety years; George H., and E. H., who is still living in the county where he was born seventy-six years ago.

George H. Young received only such educational privileges as were afforded by the common schools of his native state. He was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and on the 11th of March, 1841, was united in marriage to Miss Polly A. Ross. He owned a small farm in North Carolina and continued its operation until 1860, when he started for Kansas, hoping to there secure a good location, but when he reached Kansas City he heard such discouraging reports concerning the droughts in the Sunflower state that he purchased a farm in Cass county, Missouri, and there took up his abode. Afterward, however, he removed to Johnson county, Kansas, but returned to his farm in Missouri, where he remained six months, then came back to Kansas. In 1870 he came to Allen county and secured a claim comprising a quarter section of land in the southeast portion of the county. It was a tract of wild prairie on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but he at once began its development and has made his home thereon for thirty years. He has suffered many trials since coming to the west. He lived in Missouri during a portion of the war period and was exposed to the attacks of the bushwhackers who twice robbed him of nearly everything he had and kept him in a state of constant fear and anxiety. During the war he joined the militia, and aided in guarding the families on the border. He has per-

formed the arduous task of improving a new farm in Kansas, but now has a valuable property which supplies him with all the necessities and comforts of life.

In 1894 Mr. Young was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 3rd of September of that year, at the age of seventy-two. To them were born eleven children, nine of whom reached years of maturity, while eight are yet living, namely: Smith A., wife of James Davis, now of Wilson county, Kansas; Jasper L. I., Martin G. and John R., all of Bourbon, Kansas; G. W., at home; J. B., in Nebraska; Charles Grant and Anna M., also at home.

Mr. Young cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison and was a stalwart Whig until the organization of the Republican party when he joined its ranks and has since followed its banners, giving his support to President McKinley in 1896 and again in 1900. Everything pertaining to the welfare of the community receives his endorsement and co-operation. To the Methodist Episcopal congregation he gave a plat of ground, the society was organized and a good church was built in 1883, now having a membership of between seventy-five and one hundred. Mr. Young is a well preserved man, vigorous and energetic, with memory unimpaired and mind undimmed with the weight of years. His many friends join in the wish that he may be spared for some years to come, to be numbered still among the respected and worthy citizens of Allen county.

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