Deceased was born in Indiana near Bloomington, Monroe Co., Jan. 12, 1831, where his father died at an early age. The mother having married again, W. S. Young at the age of eighteen moved with his parents to Missouri and settled in Harrison county, near Bethany, where he spent two years driving freight teams on the old Santa Fe trail from St. Louis to Santa Fe. He then purchased a farm, and soon met Miss Isabel Bailey whom he married Jan. 2, 1857, the bride being 24 years old at the time of her marriage. To them were born three children in Bethany and one on the plains near the Platte River, then an adopted daughter Mattie taken at the age of 5 weeks, who died eight years ago aged 19 years.
Mr. Young followed farming with an occasional mining expedition into Mexico for a livelihood, until the Civil war when he served in the militia till its close. In May 1866 he started with his small family in an emigrant train for Oregon, encountering all the difficulties of the then perilous journey of a six months’ trip across the plains.
Arriving here in Oct. the same year, they spent the winter on the Wm. Greenwood farm near Tualatin. He soon purchased the farm he now leaves, and at different times since has bought more land until with his three youngest sons own a fine tract of farming land quite well improved. The oldest son running a farm of 200 acres near Wilsonville, four miles from them.
His mother Mrs. Emeline Prow who also came to Oregon and settled in Grand Round, only passed from this life 3 years before the death of her son at the advanced age 89 years.
Mr. Young while always busy, had retired from labor some 10 years ago but still remained in the old family residence until about one year ago
(when) they erected a four roomed cottage, where with his wife and all man could wish for
(he) was pleasantly settled to enjoy a ripe old age. But the hand of time calls all and called him as it seems too soon.
He leaves besides scores of friends, his widow who is well provided for, four sons, Marion C., John P., Wm. F., George S., all married and eight grandchildren to mourn the loss of a kind and faithful friend, husband, father and grandfather, one respected by all who knew him and always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.
The funeral services were held at the Pleasant Hill cemetery, Monday the 19th at 4 pm, conducted by Rev. Skiels of Scholls Ferry, singing by Rev. Brady of Hood View choir and was very largely attended. The grave was beautifully decorated with choice roses and fucias interwoven with ivy and evergreens.
The family wish to extend their thanks to the many friends who so kindly assisted in this their time of sorrow.
