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
