Major John L. Young

MAJOR JOHN L. YOUNG, of Leon, is one of the oldest practicing lawyers of Decatur County, having settled here in the fall of 1859.  Judge Samuel Farrey preceded him, and with this exception Major Young is the oldest practicing attorney of Leon.  He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 30, 1833.  He removed, with his parents, John and Nancy Young, to White County, Indiana, where his mother died in 1840, and his father in 1841.  After the death of his parents he was bound out to a farmer in Warren County, where he remained until fourteen years of age, when, becoming dissatisfied with his condition, he ran away and apprenticed himself to the harness trade, at which he continued two years, when, again becoming restless under the restraints placed upon him, he left his employer and resolved to go elsewhere — in fact, had started on his journey when he was induced by a brother to return to Independence, Warren County, where he had worked.  Up to this time he had received but little opportunity for learning, the extent of his education being his ability to read a little.  It was now that he began to realize the importance of education.  He worked at anything he could get to do that would enable him to earn a penny, even engaging as a boot-black and other menial services.  But, fortunately, better opportunities were at hand for him.  The man to whom he had been bound suddenly died, and his widow, a very estimable lady, and possessed of wealth, continued to manifest an interest in him, and proposed to take him with her to Kingston, Ohio, whither she had removed.  Here he received excellent advantages, attending the academy at that place two years, and making excellent progress.  The lady desired to have him study for the ministry, but this course was not agreeable to him.  In the fall of 1852 he came to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and attended a normal school for some time, engaging as a student and teacher until 1855, when he went to Fort Madison and engaged as clerk in the penitentiary, and reading law at the same time with J. M. Reed, Esq.  In March, 1856, he went to Bloomfield, where he engaged in teaching, and also read law under the instruction of Trimble & Baker.  January 18, 1858, he was admitted to the bar in the Supreme Court, at Des Moines.  He practiced at Bloomfield until November, 1859, when he came to Leon, as before stated.  He immediately commenced the practice of his chosen profession with a young man named V. Wanwright.  This partnership was formed in February, 1860.   June 10, 1861, Edwards' Border Brigade was organized.  Mr. young joined this brigade as a private, making several raids into Missouri, going once as far as Hannibal.  He was made Quartermaster of this command, with headquarters at St. Joseph.  In November of that same year he enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, being the first man mustered in.  He had raised twenty-six men for a Missouri cavalry company, but was prevented from taking his men out of the State, so joined the regiment above mentioned  He served as a private three or four months, then came home in recruiting service.  He was very successful in this undertaking, raising 104 in a few days.  Upon the organization of this company Mr. Young was elected its Captain, serving as such until January 20,1863, and participating in the battles of Farmington and Iuka.  At the last mentioned battle a large part of his regiment, including the Colonel, behaved in a cowardly manner.  His company and one other remained unbroken, and he was ordered to take command of what remained of the regiment on the field of battle, and he acquitted himself nobly on this occasion.  The Colonel was put under arrest, and Major Young remained in command of the regiment from that time, September 19, until the first of November.  He commanded the regiment at the battle of Cornith, where it nobly redeemed itself from the disgrace of Iuka.  For his services on this occasion he was highly complimented by General Rosecrans.  January 20, 1863, he resigned and came home.  In August of that year, having recovered his health, he raised a company for the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, was made Captain of the company, and served in that capacity until November 18, 1865, when he was promoted to Major.  This was after the close of the war, the regiment being stationed at Fort Smith, in the border of Indian Territory.  While in the cavalry service his command was principally engaged in guerrilla warfare, in Arkansas, going into Fort Smith in September, 1865, where he had command of all the cavalry at that point.  He as mustered out at Little Rock February 18, 1866.  He then returned to Leon and resumed the practice of his profession.  June 28, 1868, he formed a partnership with Judge John W. Harvey, which continued until 1869, when, through his efforts, a National Bank was secured, and he was made cashier.  He retained this position until 1871.  He then organized the People's Bank at Leon, which did not prove a successful venture.  At the termination of its existence, however, all home creditors were paid in full.  Mr. Young was then for some time engaged in traveling as attorney for Dood, Brown & Co., of St. Louis.  In 1877 he came back and re-formed a partnership with Judge Harvey, which continued until the latter was nominated for judge, in 1882, when Stephen Vargo became associated him.  The present firm of Young & Parish was formed August 3, 1883.  Major Young was married October 19, 1863, to Miss Libbie Woodbury, who accompanied her husband to the army and remained until the company was ordered to the field.  Later, with their boy, Lew, she joined her husband at Fort Smith.  Mrs. Young is a native of Michigan. Her parents, James and Susan Woodbury, were from Sutton, Massachusetts.  Their children are Lew H., Susie, Mollie, Carrie, Maggie, Helen and John Orr.

SOURCE: “Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa,” p. 555-7