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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Richland Co., Ohio -
from 1808 to 1908
Vol. I & II
by A. J. Baughman -
Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co.
1908
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MRS.
ELIZA J. YOUNG is residing on section 21, Jefferson
township, where she owns and cultivates one hundred and forty
acres of land. She also has other farm property in the
county and real estate in Bellville. She was born in
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and came to Richland county,
Ohio, in 1845 with her parents, Levi and Sarah Watson.
On leaving the Keystone State her father became identified with
the farming interests of Ohio, purchasing a tract of land in
Richland county, which he converted into a well improved and
highly cultivated property. Extended mention of his life
is made on another page of his work.
Mrs. Young spent her girlhood days under the
parental roof upon the home farm in his county and is indebted
to the public-school system for the educational privileges which
she enjoyed. She was also trained to the work of the
household, so that she was well qualified to take charge of a
home of her own at the time of her marriage. On the 29th
of July, 1879, she became the wife of David L. Young, who
was born in Jefferson township, Richland county, Mar. 31, 1824,
and was a son of John and Susan Young, who were natives
of Pennsylvania but came to Ohio in early life and cast in their
lot with the pioneer settlers of this part of the state.
Their son David was one of the family of six children.
He was reared to farm life and always carried on general
agricultural pursuits,. The methods of farming, however,
changed greatly during his life. For many centuries there
had been little progress made in the manner of carrying on the
farm. The tiller of the Soil still walked across the
fields behind his plow, guiding the share as it turned the
furrows, and the seed was dropped by hand and covered with a
hoe. The grain was cut with the scythe and bound by hand
and the methods of threshing were also primitive as compared
with those in use at the present time. As changes were
gradually brought about in the methods of farming. Mr. Young
kept in touch with the general advancement and was recognized as
one of the wide-awake and progressive agriculturists of the
community. He related many interesting incidents of the
early days when Richland county was a pioneer district, giving
little promise of rapid future development. The soil was
largely uncultivated and many acres were yet covered with the
native forest. Evidences of Indian residence here were yet
seen the various kinds of wild beasts roamed through the woods,
while wild game could be had in abundance and furnished many a
meal for the early settlers. The meals were largely
prepared in kettles which swung from the crane over the
fireplace, while other food products were baked in skillets
placed amid the hot coals. In his boyhood days even
kerosene was not in use, the houses being lighted by candles,
while much of the clothing for the family was made of homespun
goods. Mr. Young related in interesting manner many
incidents of those early days when the settlers had to depend
upon what they raised for nearly everything they had. It
was a period when hospitality, however, found place in almost
every home and when good cheer characterized all social
gatherings. As the years passed Mr. Young carried
on the farm work, the only interruption to his agricultural
pursuits being when he served in the Civil war for one hundred
days. In matters of citizenship he was always faithful and
progressive.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Young was born one son,
Levi, who is now living in Jefferson township. The
death of Mr. Young occurred Apr. 17, 1907, when he had
reached the ripe old age of eighty-three years. Mrs.
Young still survives her husband and is now the owner of a
valuable farm property of one hundred and forty acres on section
21, Jefferson township. She also has one hundred and
eleven acres on section 19 of the same township and she owns a
dwelling and six lots in Bellville. Her farms are always
kept in good condition and from her property she derives a
gratifying annual income. To its development she
personally gives her supervision and keeps in touch with her
business affairs, displaying keen discrimination and sound
judgment in the control of her agricultural interests. She
is widely known in the county where almost her entire life has
been passed and has always displayed those traits of character
which win kindly regard in every land and clime.
(Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by A.
J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Page 705) |
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