Biography of Rev. David G. Young of Dade County

Rev. David G. Young, born in Niagara County, N.Y., in 1829, and orphaned young, was raised by his uncle in Michigan. He married Margaret Pratt in 1855, who died a year later, and then Amanda E. Roberts in 1861, with whom he had nine children. Young served in the Civil War, was captured, and held in several prisons. Post-war, he was a teacher and county superintendent of schools in Illinois before moving to Dade County, Mo., where he served as circuit clerk and ex-officio recorder for eight years. An active Baptist minister, he founded multiple churches and owned 200 acres of land.


Rev. David G. Young, ex-circuit clerk and ex-officio recorder of Dade County, Mo., now residing one and a half miles north of Greenfield, was born in Niagara County, N. Y., in 1829, and is the son of Uriah and Phoebe (Gregory) Young. David G. Young was left an orphan when a small boy, and he was then taken by his uncle, William B. Young, who had married a sister of Phoebe (Gregory) Young. About 1836, David Young went to Genesee County, Mich., and it was here he grew to manhood. In 1855, he married Miss Margaret Pratt, who was born in Shiawassee County, Mich., in 1831, and to this union was born one child, Margaret, who is now the wife of Milton Holly, of Millbrook, Mich. After one year of married life, Mr. Young was left a widower, and, in 1857, he engaged in the teacher’s profession, which he continued for some time in Williamson County, Ill. In 1861, he married Miss Amanda E. Roberts, who was born in Williamson County, Ill. Nine children were the fruits of this union, seven now living: Emily, John C., William E., Susie, James, Clarence, and Ida. On August 12, 1862, Mr. Young enlisted in Company D, Eighty-first Regiment Illinois Infantry, and was in the fight at Port Gibson, Raymond, Vicksburg; was in the Red River expedition, and was in the fight at Guntown. At the last-mentioned action, he was captured, was in the prison at Macon, Ga., for six weeks, Savannah six weeks, was at Charleston, S. C., one month; and, while at the last-mentioned place, had the yellow fever. During the winter of 1864-65, he was at Columbia, and, in March of the last-mentioned year, he was exchanged, sent to Annapolis, Md., and was granted leave of absence. He then went to St. Louis, where he was discharged. In the battle of Raymond, he was wounded in the left leg by a minie ball and was disabled for some time. He at first entered the service as a private but was promoted through all the different ranks to that of captain, being commissioned such May 22, 1863. In 1865, he was elected county superintendent of schools of Williamson County and served four years. In 1870, he removed to Dade County, Mo., settling in Cedar Township, and, in 1874, was elected circuit clerk and ex-officio recorder. In 1878, he was re-elected, and served in all eight years. At the age of eighteen, he was converted, and in 1859, he was licensed to preach the missionary doctrine. He had charge of four churches in Williamson County, erected the Baptist Church in Marion, Ill., and was pastor of that church when he came to Dade County. He has had charge of five churches in Dade County and organized the Baptist Church at Greenfield. Rev. David G. Young is one of Dade County’s most highly esteemed citizens. He is the owner of 200 acres of land and is a well-to-do farmer. In politics, he is a Greenback-Prohibitionist. His official and private life has been one of purity and above reproach.

Source:

Goodspeed, History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade and Barton Counties, Missouri; Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co., 1889.

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